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The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) has been working with four beaches around the US since last October to submit materials to the Blue Flag International Jury and determine their current level of compliance with the Blue Flag eco-award criteria. The International Jury met mid April to review applications from all participating countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
East Beach in Galveston Island, Texas; Lovers Key State Park in Lee County, Florida; Zuma Beach in Malibu, California; and Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii have all been granted Pilot Site status and are invited to apply for the Blue Flag award as soon as they fully comply with the Blue Flag criteria.
Kelly DeSchaun, CEO of Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees, and driving force behind Galveston’s participation said, “The Park Board of Trustees has worked for years with our partners to steward Texas beaches on Galveston Island and the opportunity to validate this work at R.A. Apffel Park (East Beach locally) through the international eco-award Blue Flag will be a real game changer.”
The Blue Flag eco-award is one of five programs offered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The award is offered to beaches, marinas, and tourism boats meeting over 30 criteria for water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and services, sustainable tourism, and social responsibility. ASBPA is the US National Operator for the Blue Flag award and will be launching the program at the 2021 National Coastal Conference September 28-October 1 in New Orleans, LA.
Contact:
Annie Mercer, Program Coordinator– (910) 368-7847 or annie.mercer@asbpa.org
Follow our progress online https://asbpa.org/get-involved/blue-flag-pilot-program/