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Now that Envirogorge’s Native Plant Challenge is complete, the Envirogorge staff is busily working on a new bird quiz coming later this spring. Those who love a challenge and want to embark on a new contest right away will be excited to hear about The Great Balloon Harvest Contest.
Murray Brown of Carson, Washington created this balloon harvesting contest a year ago just for fun on his Facebook page. The challenge is simple, between April 7th and September 30, 2016, find fallen balloons that litter the forests, take photos, and remove or ‘harvest’ them. Last year there were about 20 entries. Brown is sponsoring prizes for 10 winners this year, including one for preventing a balloon release. To enter for prizes, join the public Facebook group “The Great Balloon Harvest Contest” and submit photos of the balloons found.
Wildlife can accidentally eat released balloons that fall into rivers, oceans, and forests. Birds, turtles, and other wildlife can also get tangled in the strings. Latex balloons take up to 4 years to decompose; mylar balloons are made from plasticized polyester and are not bio-degradable.
Many states have passed legislation restricting balloon releases that are not for scientific purposes. Alternatives to releasing balloons for celebration include blowing bubbles, waving flags, or flying kites. Choosing alternatives to releasing balloons, disposing of balloons properly, and picking up those found are all ways to contribute to cleaning up the environment. The good news is that The Great Balloon Harvest Contest will be awarding prizes to people who participate in these simple actions and it is free to enter!
