ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As we look ahead to Earth Day on April 22, many organizations are gearing up to hold clean-ups this weekend.
SCUBAnauts International is an organization of teen divers who learn about oceans and marine sciences. They have planned several events across the Tampa Bay area to help keep the outdoors clean and beautiful while also raising money.
Brooke Butler, 17, has been a SCUBAnaut for four years, starting shortly after she became a certified diver.
"When I started diving I saw trash all in the ocean and it made me very sad," she said. "So SCUBAnauts gives me a chance to change something that makes me sad."
Brooke is part of the Sarasota chapter, which is one of 6 across Tampa Bay and Georgia. Each year for Earth Day, the SCUBAnauts do a coastal clean-up as a fundraiser to support activities all year long.
Kate Dubickas is the Chief Education Officer for SCUBAnauts.
"We participate in weekend activities such as local dives doing fish surveys, all with a data collection side. And we have summer trips with a large education component where students start with their research question and it culminates in their final project," she said.
Brooke looks forward to the fundraising competition between chapters.
"Last year we collected 3,000 pounds of trash all across Florida and Georgia," she said "Our chapter not only pulled out plastic bags, cigarette butts, and water bottles, but we also found some couch cushions and some random wood."
SCUBAnauts is a volunteer-based organization, so they are always welcoming new members and volunteers. And Kate says you don't have to be a diver to join the fun: "There's so much to do, it doesn't have to all be underwater."