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Blue Flag USA – Highlighting beaches that serve as a model for environmental management, safety education, and responsible tourism.
The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association is proud to present the nation’s first Blue Flag national workshop on September 30 – October 1, 2021 in New Orleans, LA. The Blue Flag eco-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. The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association serves as the U.S. national operator for Blue Flag USA, and we cordially invite tourism organizations, beach management teams, NGOs, federal and state agencies, and local civic representatives to attend.
The workshop will open with a presentation on the benefits of the Blue Flag award, the awards process and criteria. Coastal practitioners will lead several sessions providing key information, research, and best practices on water quality, beach trash handling and communication, public education and advocacy, beach safety, and environmental and access management.
“The Foundation for Environmental Education, through its program, Blue Flag International, has welcomed ASBPA as its member in the USA in charge of the Blue Flag. The Foundation thanks the team there for the great ongoing preparatory work to implement the program and for gathering national organizations and local sites to start the long journey in offering the Blue Flag award in the USA,” said Johann Durand, International Blue Flag Acting Director. Johann continued “Blue Flag International wishes ASBPA a great Blue Flag national workshop and ensures its continuous support in providing a global award for coastal sustainability all across the USA. The Foundation is honored to be represented at the ASBPA national conference and looks forward to meeting the many attendants to share best practices and Blue Flag procedures information.”
Workshop participants will benefit from this first of its kind workshop in the U.S. to jump start or reinvigorate your sustainable tourism models to apply for Blue Flag status. Registration for the day-long workshop is $75 and includes live access to the presenters either virtually or in person. Register now and view the Blue Flag workshop schedule by visiting the “Geaux Resilient” ASBPA National Coastal Conference website.
Follow our progress online: https://asbpa.org/get-involved/blue-flag-pilot-program/
Contact: Annie Mercer, American Shore & Beach Preservation Association, blueflagusa@asbpa.org