Ashley Whicher and Noel Pockey display their fishing line recycle bin at Kings Landing Park in Huntingtown.
Installation at Flag Ponds Nature Park on May 21
Girl Scouts’ Fishing Line Recycling Project Protects Calvert Wildlife
On April 26, Girl Scout Silver Award hopefuls from Troop 936, Ashley Whicher (age 13) and Noel Pockey (age 12), installed several recycling bins at public water access sites in Calvert County. The two Scouts invite the public to the final Fishing Line Recycling Bin installation at Flag Ponds Nature Park on May 21, 2016 at 9:30 am.
The Scouts’ recycling efforts will to help safeguard wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River. Monofilament (fishing line) is not biodegradable. Once it ends up in the water or on shore, it becomes a hazard. Birds, turtles, fish, otters, and other wildlife can get caught in the fishing line and die from constriction, starvation, or strangulation.
In fall 2015, the Scouts requested permission from the Calvert County Natural Resources to install fishing line recycling bins at five fishing piers in Calvert County. On December 22, 2015, Ashley and Noel presented their idea to the Calvert County Commissioners. The Commissioners approved the project and the County’s sponsorship of it.
Natural Resources Chief Karyn Molines stated, “Ashley and Noel have worked hard on a project that will benefit the environment and protect wildlife. I’m proud that Calvert County is a sponsor of such a rewarding project.”
The five sites appointed to receive recycling bins are Hutchins Pond in Owings, Kings Landing Park in Huntingtown, Nan’s Cove in Broomes Island, Flag Ponds Nature Park in Lusby, and Solomons Fishing Pier in Solomons. Calvert County Division of Natural Resources staff will collect the fishing line and send it to Spirit Lake, Iowa, for recycling.
Ashley and Noel received supplies for this project from Jay Johnson Plumbing in Chesapeake Beach, The Boat U.S. Foundation, and donations from local community members. The Girl Scout Community donated 43 hours of time to complete the project. “It’s great to see our Girl Scouts taking an active interest in helping local wildlife. We thank Ashley and Noel for their initiative and follow-through on this project,” said Anne Sundermann, Executive Director of Calvert Nature Society.