Category Archives: Art
Thirty Single-Use Plastic Utensils: A Call to Action
Over the years, I’ve collected countless single-use plastic forks, spoons, and knives during my solo beach cleanups—but yesterday, I set a personal record. I picked up thirty plastic utensils along the stretch of coastline I regularly walk. Several of them … Continue reading
Spiraling Into the Current
A joyful and inspiring day unfolded at the June 2024 EcoFest Encinitas, where I had the honor of exhibiting Spiraling Into the Current in the stunning glass Hatch Gathering space at Fox Point Farms. This colorful spiral, made entirely from … Continue reading
Posted in Activism, Art, Education, Festivals, Marine debris, Plastic debris
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Black Hole
“If you feel you are in a black hole, don’t give up. There’s a way out.” —𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 Much of what’s happening may feel like spiraling into a black hole, but there are things we can do to avoid a … Continue reading
Posted in Activism, Art
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Inspiring Civic Engagement and Environmental Advocacy
A defining moment of my long career in education occurred in March 2017. I had been working with colleague Ann Zivotsky and her 5th grade class as we developed an opinion/argument writing unit on marine debris that delved into the problem … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education, Marine debris, Single-use Plastics Policies
Tagged environmental literacy, Marine debris, plastic pollution
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Playing with Plastic
Sand toys found on the beach make fun designs, but plastic toys can be harmful to children. According to new research from the Technical University of Denmark, “Out of 419 chemicals found in hard, soft, and foam plastic materials used … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education, Marine debris, Plastic debris, Play, Sand toys
Tagged Marine debris, people or plastic, planet or plastic, plastic pollution, shoresweep
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Be Disposable Free
Plastic cutlery is often among the top ten items found during shoreline cleanups, and I have certainly collected my fair share while walking at the beach. Plastic knives, forks, and spoons are not recyclable in most waste systems, because they … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
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The Butterfly Effect
The butterfly effect theory comes from meteorologist Edward Lorenz and the idea that the development of a tornado can be “influenced by minor perturbations such as the flapping of the wings of a distant butterfly several weeks earlier.” In other words, … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
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Sea Turtle
More than half of the world’s sea turtles have ingested plastic, and sadly, they are especially susceptible to its harmful effects. According to Sea Turtle Conservancy, their anatomy prohibits the regurgitation of debris, and the accumulation of plastic in their … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
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ShoreSweep 