NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

July 23, 1999

CONTACT: Marcy Delk (352) 622-1609 or Joy Hill (352) 732-1225

PROJECT EAGLE CLEAN-UP SLATED FOR AUGUST 7 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Project EAGLE is back and ready to put litter in its place on Saturday, August 7. But it needs YOU to continue to be the successful environmental clean up it's been for the past five years!

"Since 1994, volunteers have come out in force for Project EAGLE to pick up trash from public lands and waters all around the state," said clean-up coordinator Marcy Delk, executive director of Keep Marion Beautiful.

This year's local efforts will focus on areas of the Ocala National Forest and sections of the Cross Florida Greenway, she said. "Unfortunately, some people have turned these public areas into their own private dumping grounds. We want to clean them up and we need everyone's help," said Delk.

Since its inception five years ago, thousands of volunteers have come out statewide to participate in Project EAGLE. Their efforts have yielded hundreds of tons of trash, much of which was recyclable. "Unfortunately, despite all the efforts to promote a clean

environment, some people still dump trash where it doesn't belong," said Delk. "It's such a shame since it not only detracts from the natural beauty of an area, but it is harmful to the fish and wildlife that live there.

Project EAGLE, which stands for Enhancing A Great Living Environment, is an award-winning, half-day, volunteer-based clean up of some of the state's most beautiful and scenic public lands and waters. It was launched in 1994 by the former Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) to bring together the cooperative efforts of different groups and individuals who share a common desire - clean waters and lands.

Two years ago, the GFC (now the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), teamed up with Keep Marion Beautiful to keep Project EAGLE a strong and viable clean-up effort for the county. This year there will be five staging areas where volunteers can meet before dispersing into the woods and onto the waters to collect trash. Volunteers can also choose their own clean up sites and then bring the trash they collect to any of the five staging and collection sites listed below.

Project EAGLE is sponsored by Keep Marion Beautiful, the FWC, Silver Springs Attraction, the U.S. Forest Service, Marion County and the Department of Environmental Protection. Supporters include many area businesses and civic groups who donate their time and resources, and hundreds of volunteers who come out and do the dirty work. Project EAGLE gets underway at 8 a.m. and will finish up at noon. Volunteers will receive a free Project EAGLE t-shirt to thank them for their time and energy.

What can you do to help? Come on out and pick up some trash! Trash bags and drinking water will be provided at all sites. Volunteers should bring sunscreen, insect repellent, gloves and trash sticks.

"Project EAGLE continues to prove what can be accomplished when groups or individuals work together for the good of all," said Delk. "I want to thank all those who have come out and helped in the past, and I want to challenge youth groups, senior groups, individuals, civic organizations or businesses to come out this year and do something they can really feel good about."

If you or your group would like to be part of Project EAGLE, come on out to one of the following sites: Gore's Landing, CR 315, north of SR 40; Eureka Landing East, CR 316 and the Oklawaha River; Ocala Boat Basin, SR 40 east and the Oklawaha River; Moss Bluff, CR 464C, 1/4 mile west of CR 314A; Santos Trail Head of the Cross Florida Greenway just north of Belleview on SE 80th St., just west of US 441 at the Marion County Sheriff's Office Substation.

For more information call (352) 236-7111 or (352) 622-1609.