Who says you can't make a difference? The elementary school in our nearby town planned a "balloon release" to celebrate taking some state test. I read about it in the local paper and immediately remembered picking balloon pieces out of trees, gardens, and seeing balloons in birds' nests when we lived in town. I called the school and offered to replace the balloon release with a "seed toss" at a local park. The school accepted when I explained how destructive and dangerous the balloons were to wildlife. The local hardware store gave me packets of seed, and I had some stashed, so we may have a very flowery park and safe wildlife!
I'm so glad you stopped them releasing those balloons. I've seen cattle and sheep choke on the rubber pieces and it's not a pretty sight. I've also seen the necks of balloons twisted around birds feet and necks. Tossing seeds is a much better idea and I hope the seeds grow well and enhance the look of the local park. The children will be delighted to see the flowers bloom and know that they planted them. Congratulations on a great idea!!
Great idea Jane... and kudos to the school for realizing that there is a better safer way. Just an idea.... but they can also toss out bird seed too!
Very nice. I am sure the school didn't realize what they were doing. It was great of you to talk to them and get that problem fixed. Our world is just one little step better for that. Hope the word spreads around the country and the world. That's how all our good changes have started over the years. Reminds me of when I used to pay all the kids in the neighborhood 10 cents for a large black garbage bag of junk that they filled with trash in the fields and woods and along the road. They loved it. Now that might look to be dangerous for the kids. I did that about 35 years ago. It was called "cleaning up God's world day". We did it every Spring. Great job marlingardener. Barb in Pa.
Don't give the school system too much credit. Texas schools are facing a financial short-fall, and I offered to write a letter to the editor asking why the school could spend money on helium balloons when so many areas are being cut back. They saw my point. I like the birdseed idea--maybe for the kindergarten graduation!
Another idea that I've seen used is the releasing of pigeons.. Seen it done for weddings, funerals, etc. Hank
YAY! When I started reading the post my first thought was "omg, balloon releases are sooo horrible to wildlife!" Then I kept reading and I give you a huge pat on the back for your idea
A good idea, MG-- I hope that the action will be a successful one. Just imaging all those plants for the bees and butterflies...not to mention the eyes. It is a good and useful alternative. Good thinking.
For Barb in PA If I ever won the powerball, I would pay for the planting of a tree. And if it was a good one, that's 10 million trees?
