Summer Clean Up Planning Beginning Now

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
Spring is upon us, according to the calendar at least, which means Kodiak’s Island Trails Network is gearing up for yet another season of trail building and maintenance, as well as marine debris clean up. Tom Pogson is the director of marine programs, outreach and education for ITN and spoke on KMXT’S Talk of the Rock yesterday about marine debris removal in the coming months. Pogson said he joined other ITN staffers at the Alaska Forum on the Environment in February, which devoted more than two days to marine debris education.

— (ITN TOTR 1 :39 “And it was a great opportunity for … with this problem.”)

Pogson said a number of the discussions focused on what types of debris are washing up on Alaska’s shores. He said one item, which has apparently been found on coastlines around southeast and south central Alaska, is of particular concern.

— (ITN TOTR 2 :30 “Some interesting looking aluminum …it creates deadly gas.”)

As ITN gears up for another season of marine debris cleanup throughout the archipelago, Pogson said the organization is going to try and get more information out to the public about potentially dangerous items so community members can be aware if they choose to help with removal efforts.

— (ITN TOTR 3 :29 “This is not an issue that has hit … or do anything with it.”)

ITN recently received funding for a series of beach cleanups they hope to host in June, as well as a payment incentive program that they will open up to anyone traveling to beaches off the road system. Pogson said more information on those will be available soon, and encouraged Kodiak residents to visit island trails dot org for more upcoming events.

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