Algalita Marine Research Foundation
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I grew up in Long Beach, CA....a city downhill from one of the largest cities in the world, Los Angeles. While most childhood beach memories consist of building sand castles and collecting sand crabs my most vivid memories are those of collecting trash and rubbing tar off my tiny feet. Where was this pollution coming from? Where was it going? This issue hit me a lot harder as I grew older…and continues to transform me everyday. To me…the ocean is the most beautiful, alluring, and impressive thing on the planet. The life it sustains is extraordinary, the energy is possesses is unfathomable and the efficiency of its labor is imperative not only for human life…but for the wellbeing of our entire biosphere. We are rapidly altering a near perfect system that never needed modification. Instead of ignoring the issue…I internalized it…and soon became completely absorbed. One night, I flipped on The Late Show and was surprised to see uncommon guest. He wasn’t an actor, a comedian or an artist…he was an incredibly passionate scientist presenting the very issue I had become completely overwhelmed by. Captain Charles Moore…Algalita Marine Research Foundation…SEAL BEACH, CA?! His foundation was right down the street from my house! What were the odds? I had to get involved… Volunteering at Algalita has quickly become one of the best experiences in my life. Not only have I learned more about the issue but also I have learned that there are passionate people working to educate the rest of the world. The research this foundation conducts is groundbreaking. To see a “mom and pop” type non-profit accomplish the things Algalita has accomplished is inspiring and I am very proud to help support this organization. I no longer feel overwhelmed…I feel determined and hopeful for change. The fire inside each employee, volunteer, board member, and researcher is contagious. To me, this review is not just about the work Algalita does…this review is about the passion and determination of the entire organization. They are a group of people running forward in a world that is spinning backwards. If we all progressed forward like Algalita…we may be able to correct the spin of the entire world.
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The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my everyday life.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help find ways to allow the organization to add more people to their internal team. This small group of people works harder then any other group of people I have ever met...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting passionate people who want to make a difference.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The most amazing people on the planet
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
really show the world the dangerous implications of our actions....the ENTIRE world, every single person.
Ways to make it better...
The world focused more on supporting non-profits financially.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
money...like most non-profits.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Thank god for these types of people. Sometimes I feel like we are fighting a losing battle. But I'd rather be fighting, then not. It's nice to feel like I'm not the only one of feels this way.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Since I have been involved with oceans and watersheds my entire life, I have seen the negative changes caused by human actions and plastic. The Algalita Marine Research Foundation has a core of dedicated people who are researching and making positive changes for our ocean and I wanted to be part of that change process. Being a scientist myself, it was important for me to be associated with a group that has integrity in their research. The organization's early and continuing innovative research brought the plight of our oceans to the forefront of public awareness. We continue to be the authoritative research and education foundation concerning the issue of marine plastic pollution.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
public outreach at venues and as a speaker at various organizations. It was great to see the huge media coverage after helping build the Junk Raft made of plastic bottles. Its voyage to Hawaii advertised the problem of marine plastic pollution.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I was raised in the country of NYS where my father was a teacher, conservationist, fisherman, and all around outdoorsman. He could have become a very wealthy man, but turned down an opportunity to work in the beginnings of the plastics industry. As an adult, I questioned where all this plastic stuff was going, the stuff we have been buying and discarding over the past 50 years. My father had planted this seed in my mind. I started writing about simpler living in 2002 and avoiding bottled water in 2005. When I met Charlie Moore in the spring of 2009 at the Encinitas Library, I realized that we had been on parallel paths for the past decade... he had actually been swimming in the gyre, while I had been writing about what I knew in my gut had to be a serious concern for the planet, and its inhabitants. How amazing it was to have my intuitions validated by the work of this dedicated pioneer in marine research! I instantly became a fan. A year later I joined his board. I continue to write and speak, promoting ways that we as individuals and consumers can address our plastic addiction.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Yes, I have in many ways considering how small it is.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hire a fundraising professional.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Being on the cutting edge of this important research with such dedicated people.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
humble and caring and smart.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
really make a difference!
Ways to make it better...
n/a
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
raising the funding required to continue the research and education on this issue.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Charlie Moore is a national treasure!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
People need to know about the Algalita Marine Research Foundation and what they are doing. The problem of plastic in our oceans is horrible. I had no idea about any of this and I was very shocked to learn. My family and I have been changing our habits because of all the things the people at Algalita told me about and showed me. I am a middle school student and I was thinking about doing a film about helping the environment for a local film festival that was focusing on environmental issues. The problem was, I couldn’t think of any good subjects to do a film about. Then, I found an article about how my city had banned grocery stores from using plastic bags. I saw that some people were complaining and I wondered why the ban had happened. I looked online and started searching on “plastic problem”. That is when I read about the ocean and the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”. It said the founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation discovered it in 1997. That’s the year I was born! I searched on “Garbage Patch” and that is when the videos started coming up with Capt. Charles Moore explaining and showing the problem. I had no idea!! I couldn’t believe it!!! They said 6 times more plastic was found floating in the ocean than there was plankton! What?? I asked my mom to take me out to the baylands and then the creek by our house so I could take my camera and see what it looked like where I live in the Bay Area in Northern California. Then we went to a local beach. More shock at what I saw there. There were plastic bottles, bags, and bits of plastic things all over. I took a chance and sent an email to the Algalita Marine Research Foundation to ask if I could visit them for my film while I was down in Southern California for another event. They said yes! I got to spend nearly 3 hours at their lab and I will never forget what I saw in person and the things Gwen Lattin told me about. I saw everything first hand from bits of plastic through the microscope to big plastic things they had found out in the North Pacific Gyre. It looks like sand, but it’s really tiny pieces of plastic! What’s worse is that birds and fish are eating the plastic bits thinking it’s food and they are dying. And what could this be doing to the food chain? Plastic is full of all sorts of chemicals! And then there’s the big stuff they found floating out there. There was even a whole plastic laundry basket out there! When I show people my short film, they are shocked too. I even won first place for my film in the festival. The Algalita Marine Research Foundation taught me so much about how plastic has become such a problem and I want to do what I can to help them spread the word to as many people as possible. To those people who were complaining about the ban on plastic bags – have I got something to show you.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Helping me to share information about this issue with others by letting me film what they have been doing and by making me more aware of this issue.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have been involved with Algalita Marine Research Foundation since 2002 and I have truly been amazed at what one small group of dedicated individuals can accomplish. Algalita Founder Captain Charles Moore is an exceptional leader who has knowledge of plastic pollution in the ocean, but has extensive personal experience as well. Other Board members have given tirelessly of their time to raise awareness and complete/publish research studies and run the business operations. During the past year, AMRF has been successful in recruiting additional Board members with experience in disciplines that will help move the organization forward.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Communicating its research observations to the world through personal appearances, lectures, and personal contact with people who contact the organization daily. It is exciting to see young people expanding the message through school projects, and video.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have been involved with Algalita Marine Research Foundation for eight years. As a chemical engineer, working in industry, when I first heard about what AMRF was doing, I was skeptical of the problems they were researching. Now, however, after seeing the facts, I know that this organization is trying hard to let people know that improperly disposed of plastic is a hazard to our oceans, and the life that depends on that environment. I also have seen that the organization is run by people who care, and who give tirelessly of their time and expertise to get the message out. It is an efficient organization, and the focus on research and education give credibility to them worldwide. I will continue to support their mission, and hope you will, too.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen the impact this group has had by attending world conferences, and seeing what attendees say. Many individuals told me that their current professional goals and objectives are based on what the Algalita Marine Research Foundation has done.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Bring in more professionals to help determine the cause and effect on human health due to plastic contamination in our oceans.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Meeting the driving force behind this organization, Captain Charles Moore, and understanding his passion.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Dedicated and professional, with a clear vision of responsibility to stop plastic pollution.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Bring in several professionals who could spend quality time with all the stakeholders who can make a difference by working toward quality change for the future by limiting our plastic footprint.
Ways to make it better...
More people were involved. It is a very small group.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The size of the problem is huge, world wide, and the organization is just very, very small in comparison.
One thing I'd also say is that...
A small group of individuals, dedicated, like those at the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, can truly change the world.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Algalita Marine Research Foundation has a Board of Directors with various backgrounds and expertise. The different perspectives add value to the direction and planning of the organization. When I was asked to consider serving on the board, Marine Biology was not my field, so I hesitated to serve. Time was also a concern. You do not need a degree in Marine Biology to understand the detrimental impact that plastic debris is making to our marine environment and watersheds. You do not need a lot of time to get involved. Being involved in Algalita Marine Research Foundation has educated me. Plastic is an amazing invention, but it last for centuries and most of the items that are packaged in plastic are consumed and discarded in minutes. In addition to the production and discard of single use plastic items, there are toxins that are released that are harmful to marine life which ultimately impacts human life. Please support Algalita Marine Research Foundation as they continue to be a leading authority on the impacts that plastics are having on marine life and the human food chain.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have personally seen some of the samples extracted from the North Pacific Gyre. It is sobering to see a fish that is caught in the open ocean, immediately cut open and reveal the pieces of plastic that it has fed on.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
What this organization lacks are funds to complete existing projects to expose the effects that plastic toxins have on the human food chain. To educate the public and restore our oceans and watersheds to a healthier state.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Learning the sobering facts of what is going on in our oceans and watersheds and the opportunity to work with such dedicated and passionate people.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Jeanne and Marieta are dedicated individuals ready to direct your request. Gwen puts in numerous hours to research. Captain Moore travels the world giving presentations. Bill is a true leader.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
coordinate meetings with the private and govt sectors to change the way we use plastic. Schedule voyages to each of the Gyres. Have public service messages on national TV. Have curriculum in every classroom. Stop further plastic debris reaching our oceans
Ways to make it better...
It is a great experience. There are so many more staff I did not name that deserve credit and recognition. Algalita is more like extended family working together.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Genesis 1:21 So God created great sea creatures, and every sort of fish and every kind of bird. And God looked at them and with pleasure, and blessed them all. - We have an obligation to fullfill.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
My husband and I retired to Pawleys Island, South carolina, four years ago to enjoy coastal life. From the very first day I found myself picking up plastic on the beach. An environmentalist once told me that balloons can choke birds. So I never used another balloon! I realized that plastic had similar properties to balloons so I started to fret about all the plastic bags, bottles, toys, cups etc that people abandon on the beach. Unless you visit the beach each day you cannot imagine the amount of trash that people leave behind. Eventually it is all carried out to sea by ocean currents. I knew that this could not be good for marine life. Concern for the welfare of marine life was the impetus for a letter-writing campaign to people like Al Gore, Oprah, Michael Moore, and many others about "Another Inconvenient Truth." I knew that if the beaches at Pawleys had a plastic problem, beaches all over the world must have a plastic problem. But the letter writing did not bring forth the desired response. Next I googled: "trash in the ocean" and up popped Captain Charles Moore and the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. I had my first introduction to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch! Horrified by everything that I read I could not get the issues out of my head. I went to bed thinking about the problems and woke up thinking about the problems. Since then I have spent my life trying to bring awareness to the problems of plastic pollution in the ocean including: writing letters to newspapers and magazines, sending emails; starting a Plastic-free Pawleys project;organizing turtle walkers to pick up plastic as they search for turtle tracks. The more I learned, the less I could understand why the plastic corporations are permitted to continue manufacturing this toxic trash, without retribution. Our planet has survived the Ice Age, and the Dinosaur Age, but we are now fighting for survival in The Plastic Age. Corporate profit is more important than the well-being of our environment and our species. The indifference to all life is immoral. As Captain Moore reports: "Plastic is taking over the natural world!" And I believe that there is no longer anything with a heartbeat that is safe from the impact of plastic. Encountering Algalita and Captain Charles Moore has changed the direction of my life. Retirement is no longer an option: Helping Algita reduce the global footprint and saving the inadvertent deaths of millions of birds and sea creatures is by far more important.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have had the great privilege of meeting Captain Moore when he came to UNC Wilmington, North Carolina to give a presentaion at the request of graduate student, Bonnie Monteleone.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
It is already an excellent organization. I could not improve it.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The educational aspect. Without this organization the world would have no idea about the devastating effects of plastic.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Marieta Francis with frequent emailing and phone calls. Bonnie Monteleone, volunteer, came to Pawleys Island to give a power point presentation about her personal experiences.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Continue to research plastic in the oceans all around the world and continue to bring awareness to every human across the globe.
Ways to make it better...
I would like to live closer to Long Beach!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The attitude of the plastic manufacturing companies which continue to produce their goods regardless of the damage created.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Keep up the good work ALGALITA!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
A year or so ago my grandchildren and I attended a lecture/children's program give by Algalita at the library in Encinitas, CA. Ever since then we have been collecting trash on the beach EVERY time we go. Two weeks ago while on the beach in Seal Beach we were playing in the sand while waiting for a table for brunch. My 7 year old granddaughter found a nurdle and announced "look I found a Charlie pebble". Pretty soon we had a handful. This amazing foundation was able to make a lasting educational experience for a six year old. She is our future and the knowledge she now holds will hopefully lead to cleaner oceans. Thank you ALGALITA!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of all who have attended their programs or read their literature or visited their website. It has changed the way my family and many others view the use of plastics and the dedication we have to clean oceans.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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