Help Toon the Loon save the Shorelines!

Hey-ho! Yes, you! Yar an Earth Ranger, aren’t ya?

The name’s Toon, Toon the Loon! I’m a shoreline enthusiast, fan of the environment, and the slickest loon there is!

Super special shorelines!

Coastlines (also called shorelines) are vital environmental zones where land meets water, whether it’s a serene lake or the vast ocean. These areas are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. In fact, the Great Lakes contain more than 84% of North America’s fresh surface water – that’s a lot of water with shores surrounding it! Over 10,000 miles, in fact!

Unfortunately, this beautiful place has its fair share of problems: plastic! Visitors to these areas sometimes leave behind litter, and rivers flowing into the Great Lakes might carry trash from the city.

Animals may mistake plastic for food and eat it, which can make them very sick. They can also get caught and injured in stray garbage. Even worse, litter can accidentally carry plants and animals to new places where they don’t belong, causing problems for local habitats.

Shoreline Savers to the rescue!

Isn’t there something we can do about it? Absolutely! As a smart Earth Ranger, you can help fight the plastic problem in plenty of ways! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1) Use less plastic! Single-use plastics like straws and bags are a big problem. By cutting down on these, there will be less plastic polluting our waters and shorelines. Let’s work together to cut plastic out of our lives!  

2) Go on a shoreline cleanup. If everyone picked up just a few pieces of trash each time they visited, it would make a huge difference for animals and the planet. You can do a cleanup on your own, with your family or friends, or even as part of a bigger group.

3) Do you research! To help solve the problem, we need to understand it better. Read books, watch videos, or listen to podcasts to learn more about plastic pollution and how to stop it.

4) Spread the word. Share what you’ve learned about plastic pollution with friends, family, and others. You can also donate to or volunteer with groups that clean up shorelines, and let people know about their work. Every little bit helps!

Get started now!

The first thing you need for a coastal cleanup is…a coast! Visit a local pond, lake, river, stream or ocean – they all count! Bring along an adult and some friends or family to help. Make sure to wear gloves to stay safe, and let grownups handle any sharp items. And if you see me on the shore, be sure to wave!

Want some more info? Check out the Earth Rangers app and accept the Shoreline Saver Mission. You’ll find our handy How to Save a Shoreline guide, packed with helpful tips for organizing your own coastal cleanup.

Give it a try – start by accepting the Shoreline Saver Mission in the Earth Rangers App. You’ll get tons of helpful information, tips, and more to kick off your cleanup!

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