Project abstract foam-based marine debris commonly accumulates along the lake champlain shoreline, especially in plattsburgh, new york, and burlington and ST

Albans, vermont, where disadvantaged communities are more likely to access the lake for subsistence fishing and for cooling during summer months. In response, the purpose of this project is to develop a coalition of watershed and lake organizations focused on foam-based marine debris in the lake champlain basin of vermont and new york with the goal of enhancing community literacy about and mitigating foam-based marine debris. Our work will benefit disadvantaged youth and communities in the basin, who are disproportionally impacted by the debris. We will build literacy and mitigate foam marine debris via two main pathways: 1) by developing and providing informal education programs about marine debris sources and paths to surface waters to youth facing climate and economic justice vulnerabilities; and 2) through outreach and technical support based on surveys and market research to aid lakeshore businesses, their customers, and private dock owners to use alternative non foam-based products and take action to mitigate pathways by which foam-based materials become marine debris. We will provide train-the-trainer events and develop library lending kits and resources to share these tools and lessons with other watershed and lake organizations in the lake champlain basin and with sea grant programs nationally. As a result of our work, disadvantaged youth in the lake champlain basin will build sense of place with lake champlain and lake george and will build knowledge about sources and pathways for marine debris pollution. Further, they will engage in stewardship activities to prevent marine debris from entering lake champlain and lake george. In addition, lake-based businesses, recreational lake users, and private dock owners will act to reduce foam-based marine debris pollution in lake champlain and lake george. Finally, lake and watershed organizations in the lake champlain basin and across the sea grant network will have improved coordination to provide foam-based marine debris outreach and education to disadvantaged communities, lake- based businesses, recreational lake users, and private dock owners.