Beach Combers

CITIZEN WATCHDOGS ADD LOCAL PERSPECTIVE TO NRDC'S TESTING THE WATERS REPORT

NRDC is out with this year's Testing the Waters report, a guide to water quality at vacation beaches along America's coasts. 

Now it's time for you to add your perspective. Share real world, on-the-ground reporting--photos, videos, articles--about the conditions of the beaches that you love.  

What To Report?

• Expose polluters to the public: take photos or video of pollution sources, or write about what or who is tainting the waters.
• Locate "sewage overflow" or stormwater runoff pipes.
• Compare the Testing the Waters ratings to conditions on the ground.
• If you or anyone you know becomes sick after swimming at the beach, share the story.
• Monitor public notifications about water quality.
• Profile local groups working to prevent pollution or clean up the beaches. 
• Science teachers: test water quality with your students and report the results.

Now...Start Reporting

First, check out NRDC's report and map of 200 popular vacation beaches.

Second, head to Greenlight, OnEarth's citizen journalism platform. Register for an account, or log in if you have one already. 

Third, submit your report. It could be an article or essay about your local beach or favorite vacation spot. Or it could be photos or videos of the beach at its most beautiful...or its most polluted. Be sure to tag your post 'beaches.' 

Finally, we'll collect all your reports from the field (er...the beach) on this Reporting the Waters page, and your contributions will be featured on our own map of citizen reported stories.  

That's it. For inspiration, check out Mindy Pennybacker's post about Hawaiian surf spots. And don't hesitate to drop us a line with any questions. 

Resources:

• Testing the Waters 2009
• Guide to Finding a Clean Beach 
• NRDC Ratings and Map of 200 Popular Beaches