| KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL ADOPT-A-SHORE PROGRAM Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. (KCB) invites you and your organization to take an active part in keeping Florida’s shorelines beautiful and safe. By adopting approximately one mile of shoreline and committing to cleaning it three times a year for two years, your family business, or club will provide an invaluable service to conserving our state’s natural environment and to building environmental citizenship amongst Floridians. Goals of the Adopt-A-Shore Program Increase public awareness about the effect of litter and marine debris on Florida’s environment Prevent litter through developing a sense of responsibility and understanding About the threat litter presents to Florida’s aquatic environment Build environmental citizenship by participating in hands-on litter prevention solutions Reduce litter and marine debris by 50% in the state of Florida The Adopt-A-Shore program has enlisted the help of over 300 volunteer groups across Florida, from individual environmental citizens to entire schools. Florida boasts over 9,000 miles of adoptable shoreline and adjacent waterways. We need your help to conserve the natural beauty that has made Florida home to 14 million and host to millions of visitors. Remember, “it’s in your hands...keep Florida beautiful.” About Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. is a certified affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. and is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. KCB works with business, government, and civic organizations and involves volunteers to prevent litter. Preventing litter and illegal dumping in our community environments reduces crime, increases property values, and is critical to economic development and revitalization of our urban and rural communities. How to Join the Adopt-A-Shore Program By reading this packet of information, you have already taken the first step toward adopting shoreline in Charlotte County! Make Commitment as a Group Please review the Volunteer Responsibilities page and check with the other volunteers you will be working with to be sure everyone feels comfortable with the two-year commitment of the Adopt-A-Shore program. Complete Adopt-A-Shore Adoption Agreement An Adopt-A-Shore Litter and Marine Debris Removal Agreement should be signed by an adult authorized to represent your group and the property owner, then forwarded to Keep Charlotte Beautiful Inc. (KCB) for execution. A copy of the Agreement is included in this information pack. KCB will mail a photocopy of the fully executed agreement to: a. Adopting group b. Property owner Adopting groups will also receive a thank you letter and Certificate of Appreciation at time of adoption. Plan Your First Cleanup Work with the members of your adopting group to choose a time for your first cleanup. Your local Keep Charlotte Beautiful coordinator may be able to assist you by providing safety training and trash bags for litter and marine debris collection. Remember that planning your cleanups to correspond with the Great American Cleanup of Florida and the Florida Coastal Cleanup will give you more resources with which to work. Not Limited to Cleanups •Planting- -sea oats, mangrove, and other planting projects •Presentations- -make presentations to community groups and schools •Write letters to your newspaper editor and invite media to your projects •Take pictures and submit for various awards Important reference numbers: Keep Charlotte Beautiful 941-764-4390 Ocean Conservancy 727-895-2188 Adopt-A-Shore Questions and Answers Q. Do Adopt-A-Shore groups select the location to be adopted? A. A group may select the location or be assigned one, depending on the amount of shoreline available for adoption in your area. Your local coordinator can verify a specific location’s availability. Q. What is the cost for joining the Adopt-a-Shore Program? A. Nothing. Q. How many people are needed for a cleanup team? A. There is no set number of volunteers for cleanup groups. However, working with at least five other volunteers will reduce the time needed for each cleanup and make your cleanup more fun. Q. Can children participate in the Adopt-A-Shore program? A. Yes. However, participants under the age of 18 must have parents sign a release form for them and be supervised by an adult. Q. What is the time commitment for joining the Adopt-A-Shore program? A. Adopting groups commit to cleaning their adopted areas at least three times a year for a two year time period (more cleanups are encouraged, but only 3 are required). When those two years are up, the adopting group may choose to renew their agreement. Q. Do Adopt-A-Shore groups decide their own clean up schedule? A. Yes. However, KCB encourages each adopting group to participate in the annual Great American Cleanup of Florida (coordinated by KCB during the months of March and April) and the Florida Coastal Cleanup (coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy in the month of September.) Q. How do Adopt-A-Shore groups report cleanup findings? A. All individuals of an adopting group are asked to complete a data card during each cleanup. Q. Do Adopt-A-Shore groups receive recognition? A. Yes. Adopt-A-Shore groups receive: •Local Media coverage •Signage in some locations •A “Certificate of Adoption” bearing the group’s name Adopt-A-Shore Safety Guidelines Following these Safety Guidelines will help make your Adopt-A-Shore cleanups safe and rewarding. Please review them with the members of your group prior to each cleanup. •Wear gloves and thick-soled shoes •Wear sunscreen and bug repellant •Don’t let volunteers overdo it •Don’t overstuff your garbage bags •Wash your hands after the cleanup •Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts •Wear safety vests for roadside cleanups •Drink plenty of fluids •When in doubt, don’t pick it up! •Ask your local Fire and Police Departments to join your cleanup activity •Watch small children! In Case of Emergency: 1. Every adopting group should possess a first aid kit. 2. Know the route from the cleanup site to the nearest emergency center or hospital in case of serious injury. 3. Have transportation available from access points. ADOPT-A-SHORE VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES Adopting groups are responsible for signing the official Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A-Shore Litter and Marine Debris Removal Agreement. By signing this Agreement, adopting groups agree to clean their adopted shoreline a minimum of three times a year for two years. Adopting groups are responsible for planning a minimum of three cleanups per year. Groups are encouraged to participate in the annual Great American Cleanup of Florida in March or April and the Florida Coastal Cleanup in September. Adopting groups are responsible for reporting each cleanup on the official Litter & Marine Debris Removal Data Card (Attachment No. 1). Completed cards should be sent to Keep Charlotte Beautiful. Adopting groups are responsible for their personal safety. Following the safety guidelines provided by Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. may assist groups in making safe decisions during cleanups. Adopting groups are responsible for arranging for the removal of collected litter and marine debris after a cleanup. Adopting groups are responsible for notifying the property owner(s) and KCB coordinator 14 days prior to each cleanup. This courtesy will avoid scheduling conflicts. Adopting groups are responsible for avoiding shorebird, sea turtle nesting areas, and other environmentally sensitive areas during pre- nesting, nesting seasons, and planting. ADOPT-A-SHORE MARINE DEBRIS/LITTER AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this day of , by and between Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc., hereinafter called KCB; the group adopting the shore, , hereinafter called GROUP; and the property owner, (private owner or association, federal state, county, or city government) , hereinafter called the PROPERTY OWNER. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS the following general description of the property, including landmarks has been identified for purposes of a marine debris/litter removal program. (Include map of area) WHEREAS the legislature, through the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988 (F.S.403.4131, Section 55 (I), has encouraged the implementation of litter removal programs specifically Adopt- A-Shore. WHEREAS KCB, a non-profit, environmental corporation, has been charged with developing the countywide Adopt-A-Shore program and is dedicated to developing and implementing county incentive programs designed to motivate individual citizens, local organizations, and local governments, and other groups interested in participating in litter prevention program activities. WHEREAS the GROUP is desirous of adopting shoreline for the purposes of marine debris/litter removal, NOW, THEREFORE, for the good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows: I A. KCB shall: 1. Provide coordination of the program and training. 2. Provide official Adopt-A-Shore program recognition for the adopting group. B. PROPERTY OWNER shall: 1. Grant GROUP access to property for marine debris/litter removal purposes. C. THE GROUP shall: 1. Adopt, in most cases, a minimum of a one-mile section of shoreline. 2. Remove debris/litter at least three times a year with one cleanup to coincide with the Great American Cleanup of Florida held yearly March-April and the Florida Coastal Cleanup held yearly in September. 3. Perform debris/litter removal in accordance with the environmental and safety requirements provided by KFB as outlined in the guidelines provided. 4. Dispose of bagged trash properly. Separate trash and recyclables if possible. 5. Provide release forms and adequate adult supervision of youths during cleanups. 6. Appoint an Adopt-A-Shore representative for the GROUP. This person must be an adult. 7. Complete and send report forms to designated KCB coordinator within 10 days of the event. Keep accurate data during each cleanup on the official data reporting form and send the completed report form to the KCB. 8. Adopters will notify the PROPERTY OWNER and Keep Charlotte Beautiful coordinator 14 days prior to each cleanup and confirm notification in. 9. Protect and respect all property and natural resources. II The GROUP covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the PROPERTY OWNER, KCB, and any agencies and all their officers, agents, and employees from any claim, loss, damage, cost, charge, or expense arising out of any act, action, neglect, or omission by the GROUP during the performance of the agreement, whether direct or indirect, and whether to any person or property to which the PROPERTY OWNER, or said parties may be subject, except that neither the GROUP nor any of its members shall be liable under this provision for damages arising out of injury or damage to persons or property directly caused or resulting from the sole negligence of the PROPERTY OWNER, KCB, and its member agencies, any maintaining agencies, all their officers, employees, or agents. This section does not constitute a waiver of any member agency’s sovereign immunity. III This agreement shall remain in effect for a two-year period. The PROPERTY OWNER, GROUP, or KCB may terminate this agreement for any reason upon thirty-(30) day’s written notice to KCB, GROUP, and PROPERTY OWNER. BY WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused these presents to be executed, the day and year first written above. They certify that they are familiar with the information contained in this agreement and that they possess the authority to execute this agreement. NAME OF GROUP: DATE: . BY: . Group Representative – sign and print name TITLE: . Address: City: State FL . Zip: . Telephone ( ) Fax ( ) . E-mail address: ATTEST: . DATE: . Notary Public KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL REPRESENTATIVE PROPERTY OWNER NAME: . DATE: . BY: . Address: City: . State FL Zip . Telephone ( ) Fax ( ) . ATTEST: DATE: . Notary Public KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL, INC. BY: DATE: . Executive Director ATTEST: DATE: . Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc., 25550 Harbor View Road, Suite 2, Port Charlotte, FL 33980 Phone: 941-764-4390 Fax: 941-764-4399 KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL ADOPT-A-SHORE PROGRAM RELEASE FORM I or we ______________________________,a member of ___________________________, have read and understand the terms and conditions contained in the Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A-Shore Agreement and the Roadside Safety Recommendations prior to taking part in litter removal in the County rights-of-way, and I hereby agree to follow and conduct myself according to all the terms and conditions of the Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A-Shore Agreement and the Roadside Safety Recommendations. I do hereby release and discharge Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. and the County, and all of Keep Charlotte Beautiful’s officers, agents, and employees from all liabilities, claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind whatsoever for any damages and or injuries arising from any cause whatsoever which may result directly or indirectly from my participation in the Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A-Shore program. I further agree to hold harmless Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. and its officers, agents, and employees from liability for any damages or injuries resulting from any acts or failure to act on my part during my participation in any Adopt-A-Shore activities on or near Charlotte County rights-of- way. PRINT NAME SIGN NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL, INC. ADOPT-A-SHORE PROGRAM CONSENT AND RELEASE FORM I am the parent or legal guardian of _____________________________, a minor (hereinafter "my child"), who is a member of the ________________________and I have read and understand the terms and conditions contained in the Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A- Shore Agreement and the Roadside Safety Recommendations prior to my child's participation in litter removal in the County rights-of-way. I hereby consent to my child's participation in litter removal in the County rights-of-way in accordance with the Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A-Shore Agreement. I agree to instruct my child to follow and conduct him/herself according to all the terms and condition of the Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A-Shore Agreement and the Roadside Safety Recommendations. I do hereby release and discharge Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. and all of Keep Charlotte Beautiful’s officers, directors, and employees from all liabilities, claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind whatsoever for any damages and or injuries arising from any cause whatsoever which may result directly or indirectly from my child's participation in the Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-A-Shore program. I further agree to hold harmless Keep Charlotte Beautiful, Inc. and its officers, agents, and employees from liability for any damages or injuries resulting from any acts or failure to act on my child's part during my child's participation in any Adopt-A-Shore activities on or near Charlotte County rights-of-way. _____________________________ ________________________________ Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian _________________________________ ________________________________ Typed/Printed Name Typed/Printed Name Date:____________________________ Date:___________________________ |