![[logo] US EPA](../gif/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Gulf Guardian Award Winners 2007
Civic/Nonprofit Organization - 2nd Place
| Company: | Valley Proud Environmental Council |  Click on the picture to view a larger size. |
|
| Project Name: | Captain Crab Clean Beach Campaign and Puppet Show | ||
| Location: | Harlingen, Texas | ||
| Category: | Civic/Nonprofit Organization |
The Captain Clean Crab Clean Beach Campaign (CCCBC) was developed in 1998 by multiple partners to educate residents of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and northern Mexico and visitors to the beaches of South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach that it is unhealthy and unlawful to litter our beaches. This multi-media, bilingual project and one-of-a-kind puppet show‘s purpose is to change irresponsible behavior through environmental education. It is the only on-going educational beach litter deterrent program being conducted consistently in the region throughout the year. VPEC continues to present this important environmental message throughout this bicultural region using television, a radio jingle and billboards in English and Spanish, local newspapers and circulars. VPEC’s “A Day at the Beach” video, created in 2004, is viewed by students, and a brief survey is completed, prior to each performance. The puppet show audience has expanded to include a multitude of groups including civic functions. Since it’s inception in January of 2006, Captain Crab, a life-size mascot and his Beach Patrol puppets, a pirate, sea gull, sea turtle, pelican and dolphin, have performed in over 50 school campuses as well as traveling to events along the Gulf coast. A litter bag containing our Captain Crab Pledge, Litter Facts sheet, environmental activity booklet, ruler and marine life stickers has been provided to over 8,000 students viewing the performance reinforcing the message: “Trash Our Beach, Pay The Price”.
