MARINE DEBRIS EXHIBIT OPENS AT THE APALACHICOLA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us MARINE DEBRIS EXHIBIT OPENS AT APALACHICOLA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE ~Discover how marine debris impacts local waterways and wildlife~ WHAT:        "When Trash Meets the Sea" Exhibit WHO:          Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve WHEN:        Tuesdays – Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. until Oct. 19, 2015                          WHERE:     Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Nature Center                    108 Island Drive                    Eastpoint, FL 32328 The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is hosting a new thought-provoking free exhibit, “When Trash Meets the Sea,” that explores how everyday trash ends up in local rivers, bays and oceans, and its negative impact on wildlife. Of the 275 million metric tons of plastic waste generated in 2010, it is estimated that 8 million metric tons ended up in the ocean. This exhibit illustrates how that process takes place and ways to reduce marine debris. “We hope this exhibit brings an awareness to sources of debris and the impacts that debris has on wildlife in Apalachicola Bay and around the world," said Jennifer Harper, manager at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. “We hope visitors to this exhibit will walk away with a greater understanding of why reducing waste is important and ways they can incorporate that principle into their everyday life.”

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Coastal Office The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office (FCO) is responsible for oversight of the state’s 41 Aquatic Preserves, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, the Coral Reef Conservation Program and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It is the mission of FCO to conserve and restore Florida’s coastal resources for the benefit of people and the environment. For more information, visithttp://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/.

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