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The Alice Ferguson Foundation expanded their marine debris focused education programming to engage secondary students in Prince George’s County, Maryland around the issue of marine debris and litter prevention in their schools and communities.
Type of Project: Prevention
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Project Dates: August 2018 - July 2021
Who was involved?
With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Alice Ferguson Foundation conducted a two-year pilot project that aimed to engage students and teachers from schools within the Anacostia River watershed in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
What was the project and why is it important?
The Alice Ferguson Foundation built off an existing project working with 5th graders through the Trash Free Maryland Schools Program to develop and deliver its Watershed Leadership Program . Through multiple classroom visits, student-led action projects, and a peer-to-peer mentorship program with local elementary school students, the Watershed Leadership Program reduced littering behavior by connecting Prince George’s County students to their local watershed and empowering them to be student leaders on marine debris prevention.
What were the results?
Alice Ferguson Foundation partnered with 10 schools and worked with approximately 600 students in 42 classrooms. Students completed action projects and litter prevention campaigns. Alice Ferguson Foundation staff led Cleanup Site Leader Trainings at several high schools to teach students how to safely run a cleanup, including picking a site and recruiting volunteers. They also assisted participating high schools in planning schoolyard cleanups at partnering elementary schools.
For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.