‘Keep It Blue’ Event Promotes Ocean Conservation

STONE HARBOR – About 1,000 people attended the “Keep It Blue” event July 11 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church here to support the Wetlands Institute and encourage environmentalism.
Sand Shack, an environmentally friendly brand of jewelry and apparel, hosted the all-day ocean conservation event, which was dedicated to educating individuals on how they can help the environment through fun interactive learning.
Children were able to study, respect and gain appreciation for the world’s aquatic resources.
A “Keep It Blue” touch tank for kids included sea stars, sea urchins, hermit crabs, spider crabs, green crabs, clams, sea snails, and a horseshoe crab and a “mini museum” table with a crab trap, nets, shells, and other hands-on educational objects were part of the event.
After children visited the touch tank and mini museum areas, they moved on to Sand Shack’s prize pool where they could “fish” for a prize.
The sea animal they caught (fish, seahorse, starfish, or crab) corresponded with a variety of prizes. All children were given a certificate of participation, a Sand Shack Frisbee and Sand Shack temporary tattoo in addition to any prizes that were won.
Ecologically aware companies had the opportunity to display their merchandise, organic shirts and natural gardening products and soaps, while educating the public.
Participating Keep it Blue eco-fair vendors included: Lush, Bayshore Discovery Project, Dorm Sweet Dorm, PNC Bank, Wetlands Institute Gift Shop, Global Pursuit, The Happy Gardener and The Turtlesinger.
Sand Shack President and Founder Brian Linton said he was “thrilled” with the success of the event.
“Stone Harbor was a fantastic venue. The touch-tank that the Wetlands Institute brought to the event was a huge hit, and it allowed us to educate children about the different species of marine life found in local waters. We look forward to hosting many more similar events in the future,” he said.
All donations went towards The Wetlands Institute.