Volunteer coordinators meet in Galveston to share solutions for Texas-sized problem.

Debbie Gayle and her son Scott at the Adolpt-A-Beach Marine Debris Summit

Debbie Gayle was part of an elite group of volunteer coordinators who met in Galveston to target a Texas-sized problem — trash on Texas beaches. Debbie Gayle attended the first-ever Adopt-A-Beach Marine Debris Summit January 13 at Moody Gardens Convention Center on Galveston Island.

World-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle, chair of the Advisory Board for Texas A&M’s Harte Research Institute and Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, was the keynote speaker.

The conference focused on what all Texans can do about a growing problem on the coast: litterbug beachgoers. Panel discussions covered topics such as ways to reduce the trash that comes with people driving on the beach — a protected Texas tradition — as well as dirty diapers, among other things.

The Adopt-A-Beach Program at the Texas General Land Office is one of the most successful volunteer cleanup efforts in the nation. Adopt-A-Beach volunteer coordinators are key to the program’s 25-year success. Each year, thousands of volunteers band together through the program to remove about 500 tons of marine debris from Texas beaches.

At the conference, Debbie Gayle received an award for her 15 years of dedicated service to the Adopt-A-Beach program.

“Thanks to my husband and children that always are there to support and help me,” said Debbie. “It is one of the little things that we do to help keep our King Fisher Beach clean in POC! Hope to see some of you there someday.”

Make plans to join the Spring Cleanup set for Saturday, April 28th at site locations all along the Texas coast, locally at King Fisher Beach.

The Texas General Land Office’s Adopt-A-Beach Program is funded primarily by private contributions. To help out, or for more information, call the General Land Office at 1-877-TXCOAST or visit the website at http://www.texasadoptabeach.org .