Save The Whales Gives HOPE to the Oceans

April 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Storm drain pollution is one of the leading causes of ocean pollution. It is caused by antifreeze, motor oil, litter, dog waste, soap runoff from car washing in the street or driveways, fertilizers and pesticides that are washed from streets into storm drains which flow into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Under a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) B-WET grant, Save The Whales is able to fund HOPE developmentally-disabled people to engage in positive community outreach efforts. This program assists cash-strapped cities and counties to mark their storm drains, and the HOPE adults learn that human actions on land can pollute water draining to the ocean. They pick up trash while they apply a bright, colorful decal with a dolphin and fish reminding citizens (in English and Spanish) “No Dumping Flows To Bay.”

Maris Sidenstecker, Save The Whales co-founder and marine biologist, is thrilled with the program and that the NOAA B-WET grant funds are helping support these efforts. She met with John Bell of  Seaside HOPE Services office over a year ago to brainstorm the idea she had to engage a valuable - and often overlooked - audience of developmentally-disabled adults to help with ocean protection. She then sought approval from the Monterey Regional Storm Water Management Program and the County of Santa Cruz to have HOPE assist with their stenciling efforts required through their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.

"Employing people with disabilities to help label the storm drains that flow to the ocean helps the planet by reminding people to be good stewards of the environment, provides an employment opportunity for people with developmental disabilities and betters the Central Coast community at no cost. The partnership between Save the Whales and Hope Services is all about helping our community be a better place for all it members," said George Molano, HOPE Services District Director

HOPE Services has applied over 320 decals in Santa Cruz County and over 80 decals in the cities of Seaside and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Through these efforts, Save the Whales, HOPE Services, the County of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Regional Storm Water Management Program’s goal is to raise awareness about ocean pollution and protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Save The Whales has educated over 280,000 school children with hands-on educational programs about watersheds, otters, whales, marine mammals and endangered species. They travel throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties to bring these original presentations to schools and are seeking funding to support their innovative programs.

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