'Leave only your footprints,' SRIA implores

Pensacola Beach is considered among the most pristine coastline in the world, and the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) plans on keeping it that way.

SRIA has launched a new campaign called "Leave Only Your Footprints Please," which puts the focus on preserving the natural beauty and protecting wildlife of Pensacola Beach by eliminating litter from the beaches and public areas. Signage for the campaign has been placed at all major public beach access points, such as dune walkovers, and on all trash cans to remind the public to help do their part.

"The beaches are our best natural resource for relaxation and keeping them clean is very important for our community, the economy and tourism in our area," said W.A. Buck Lee, executive director of SRIA. "Together, we have a responsibility to keep Pensacola Beach beautiful and safe for all to enjoy, for years to come."

It is estimated that each year 14 billion pounds of trash are dumped into the world's oceans. Plastics make up 90 percent of all floating marine debris with most of it originating from land. Litter on the beach includes small items such as cigarette butts, bits of paper and bottle caps to larger items such as fast food packaging, bottles or bags of garbage left in a parking lot. Effects from litter include reducing the aesthetic appeal of the environment, harm to aquatic life, hazards for humans, blockage of drainage systems and increases in community clean-up costs.

By posting signs to remind the community to help keep our beaches clean, the campaign hopes to maintain the picturesque appeal of the island around-the-clock.

For more information, contact SRIA at (850) 932-2257.