Editor's Note

Summer has arrived! We’re safely done with cold snaps, marsh grass is greening up nicely, live oaks have finally stopped shedding, fresh produce is readily available (including in my garden), and everything related to the outdoors and the water is in full swing. I love this time of year, even the rainy days that are so prevalent in June.

Three things I want to talk about this month.

Trash on the Beach

While out with Crawfish on a nature adventure, we spent a little time on Wassaw Island’s north beach talking about the plants and animals we saw when we came across something that stopped us both. There on the beach, with no one around, were a dozen or more glass bottles, aluminum cans, and a can of sunscreen, clearly left behind by someone. Or two someones, as there were about a half-dozen empty Smirnoff Ice bottles and a half dozen empty pineapple hard seltzer cans. We picked everything up and took it back to the boat, but we shouldn’t have had to. We’re not your parents.

I’m thoroughly disgusted. Leaving your trash on the beach? Total disregard not only for our beautiful coastal area, which is bad enough, but leaving glass on the beach where it can break and some kid out enjoying a beautiful day could step on it? Whatever happened to personal responsibility? You care enough about yourself to use sunscreen, but not the beautiful beach you’re sitting on. Got it.

PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. Others shouldn’t have to go behind you cleaning up your mess. If you’re old enough to drink on the beach, you’re old enough to know that.

Conservation Begins at Home

There have been 761 manatee deaths in Florida waters since January 1 (see article on pages 26 � 27). They're starving to death due to a decline in seagrass and an increase in algal blooms, both of which can be caused by fertilizer and pesticide runoff into streams and rivers.

Although manatees only spend summers here and there's plenty of food available to them in our waters, other local species suffer the same fates here.

Please pay attention as you fertilize your lawns and gardens and treat for pests. Is it possible for these chemicals to find a way into local waterways? If so, there are many measures now available to prevent runoff, such as plantings, retention zones, and other methods that are cost effective and attractive. If you'd like information, please email me.

Every plant and animal species fits into the global ecosystem and serves a purpose. Let's all do our part to protect them.

The Burger Boat

Now to finish out this column on a happy note! You might remember a couple years ago when Southern Tides stood behind Steve Martin and Margo Green in their efforts to get The Burger Boat licensed and legal to operate in Georgia waters? And they’ve been advertisers since they accomplished their mission. But in all this time, I’ve never been able to be in the same place they were to place an order myself, until this month. I caught up with Steve and The Burger Boat at Isle of Hope Marina (also an advertiser!) and ordered a cheeseburger with bacon. I have to tell you, it was the best burger I’ve eaten in recent memory!

They’re at Isle of Hope Marina on Wednesdays, Daufuskie’s Melrose dock on Fridays, Williamson Island on Saturdays and Bull River Marina on Sundays. I highly recommend giving them a try!

I hope you enjoy this issue of Southern Tides, and that your summer is off to a lovely start!

See you out there!

Left: trash found on Wassaw Beach. Above: returning a stranded horseshoe crab to the water.

Amy Thurman Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com