Littering Balloons

Our AAfCW and CT DEEP staffs are extremely busy collecting trash and litter literally everywhere this year when in the field. Here we have a photo of one walk at Milford Point and one survey at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven. That is not even all that was collected either afternoon, and this is what it is like every day, all over.

While you're all very likely aware of the dangers balloons pose and the fact they end up as trash after falling from the sky, potentially killing wildlife, please pass the word on to your friends, families, colleagues and whomever else may be letting them fly. Holidays seem to be the worst - Father's Day, Mother's Day - followed by graduations and birthdays, and so on. The same advisement goes for paper lanterns which are an extremely dangerous fire hazard as well. We have to work as a community to stop balloons from being released anywhere for any reason. There is no excuse for this happening in 2020.

Finally, I want to reiterate that once again, please carry in what you carry out, and if you do pick up trash, we would appreciate it if you remove it from natural areas. Putting it into this clearly marked monofilament recycling bin that says, "NO GARBAGE" in multiple places for whatever reason - I hope I do not need to explain. Thanks in advance for advocating for a cleaner and safer environment!

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator
RTPI Manager of Connecticut Programs