Love Blue Inc.’s Chicago Chapter Brings Community Together for November Beach Cleanups

The first week of November marked an incredible chapter for Love Blue Inc.’s Chicago Chapter, with three successful beach cleanups that engaged volunteers, students, and even some furry friends. From Montrose Dog Beach to Foster Beach, Love Blue worked with local partners to make a tangible difference in the city’s beach environment, with each event adding its own special flair to the mission.

Saturday, November 2nd: Montrose Dog Beach Collaboration

Love Blue kicked off the week with a cleanup at Montrose Dog Beach, where they saw their largest volunteer turnout to date. Volunteers collected 54 pounds of trash, making the beach cleaner and safer for Chicago’s four-legged residents to enjoy. In the spirit of fun and community, the event featured a doggy costume contest, where a local pup named Sir Remington took home the prize. Volunteers and visitors were thrilled to see this playful addition to the cleanup, and the beach received a much-needed refresh. Thanks to a $25 gift card donation from Pet Supplies Plus, volunteers were further encouraged to keep the dog beach a safe, welcoming space.

Wednesday, November 6th: Kellogg Cares Day with Northwestern University Students

On Wednesday, Love Blue partnered with students from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management for Kellogg Cares Day, an annual event where all students volunteer with a local organization. Love Blue Inc. was fortunate to be chosen as a partner, and the students’ enthusiasm shone through as they tackled a significant cleanup. Together, they collected ninety pounds of trash, setting a record for Love Blue Chicago’s largest single cleanup haul yet. This massive effort not only enhanced the beach’s cleanliness but also allowed students to connect with Love Blue’s mission and make a positive impact on the environment.

Friday, November 8th: Foster Beach Cleanup with St. Hilary School 8th Graders

Love Blue wrapped up the week with a special cleanup at Foster Beach, bringing in a group of 8th-grade students from St. Hilary School. As part of their community service hours, these young volunteers gathered thirty-four pounds of litter. Under Love Blue’s guidance, they also learned to separate recyclables from non-recyclables, developing hands-on skills in sustainability practices. The cleanup provided the students with a firsthand understanding of environmental stewardship and the importance of giving back to their city.

A Week of Impact and Community

With nearly 180 pounds of trash removed in just one week, Love Blue’s Chicago Chapter made a profound difference to the city’s lakefront, engaging the community and raising awareness around protecting these cherished spaces. From college students to grade-schoolers and dog lovers alike, the events showcased the unifying power of a shared commitment to environmental health. Looking ahead, Love Blue Inc. is excited to continue building partnerships and bringing Chicago residents together for the ongoing mission of protecting the planet.

Leading Conservation at Monmouth University: A Spotlight on Katie Marshall, Love Blue Monmouth Chapter President

Katie Marshall, a senior at Monmouth University, is not just making waves in her Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy studies; she’s also creating real change as the President of the Monmouth Chapter of Love Blue Inc. Her leadership and dedication have turned this chapter into a force for ocean and coastal conservation, bringing together a growing community of passionate students and local residents. With her guidance, the chapter has achieved remarkable milestones, gaining recognition from Monmouth University and engaging over 250 people in its most recent beach cleanup event—a record-breaking turnout for Love Blue.

A Mission to Protect Marine Life

Katie’s journey with Love Blue Inc. began in the summer of 2023 when she took on the project of studying the reproductive risks faced by the diamond-backed terrapin, a unique turtle species inhabiting U.S. coastal waters. Working under the guidance of Dr. Sean Sterrett, Katie’s project focused on assessing the nesting challenges of these terrapins, particularly in areas frequented by humans, such as Sandy Hook National Recreation Area, Fire Island National Seashore, and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site.

Her work quickly became a blend of hands-on conservation and education. The research aimed to map nesting zones, quantify the female breeding population, and identify environmental threats, particularly those caused by human recreation. From June to August, Katie and her team observed the impacts of human interference in these habitats. They found that unleashed dogs, beachgoers, and other recreational activities were disrupting nesting sites, making it difficult for female terrapins to lay eggs safely. Katie’s findings underscored the urgent need for increased conservation measures to protect these vulnerable turtles.

Building Community Engagement and Awareness

Katie’s impact extends beyond her research. Through her leadership of Love Blue Monmouth, she’s fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and building bridges between students and the local community. Her passion for conservation and knack for organization have not only increased chapter membership but also brought unprecedented student engagement. At their last cleanup event, over 250 people showed up to help, an impressive turnout that demonstrates the chapter’s influence and Katie’s dedication.

“We’re all here because we care deeply about the ocean and its future,” Katie shares. “Every person who joins one of our cleanups makes a difference. When we come together, we’re not just cleaning beaches—we’re creating a culture of respect for our environment that can last a lifetime.”

Katie’s ability to engage her peers is rooted in her sincere dedication to conservation and her knack for connecting people with a shared mission. Through outreach events, educational programs, and community partnerships, she’s managed to build a vibrant network of individuals committed to making a positive impact. Monmouth University has taken note of her efforts, providing Love Blue Monmouth with continued support and encouraging the chapter’s mission on campus.

The 2024 Summer Field Study: Expanding the Reach of Conservation

This past summer, Katie’s role as Lead Field Technician took her work with terrapins even further. She led a team on Fire Island and at Sagamore Hill, managing fieldwork logistics and coordinating research surveys. Together with her team members, Karissa Hough and Innocent Kirungi, she used GPS technology and camera traps to study terrapin nesting patterns, track individual turtles, and compile valuable data for future research.

Katie’s role as a lead technician also involved managing a comprehensive database of the research findings. Her skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a minor in her degree program, proved invaluable in mapping nesting locations and documenting areas of high predation and human interference. Her observations have been essential in understanding the risks these turtles face, and her research will serve as a foundation for future conservation strategies.

Creating a Lasting Legacy at Monmouth

As Katie finishes her senior year, she leaves a legacy of commitment and leadership at Monmouth. Her work with Love Blue Monmouth has inspired countless students to get involved, bringing together a passionate team dedicated to protecting coastal ecosystems. And through her research on diamond-backed terrapins, she’s made a lasting contribution to conservation science, bringing awareness to the importance of protecting critical habitats from both natural and human threats.

Katie’s journey with Love Blue Inc. and her research have shown the power of grassroots conservation. Her story is a testament to the difference one person can make and the importance of community in driving positive change.

Weekly Zoom Meeting Recap: Love Blue Inc. Executive Team Meeting (10/22/2024)

In this week's meeting, the Love Blue executive team focused on upcoming events, new partnerships, and key team updates. With a strong emphasis on maintaining their digital presence and promoting the organization, the team discussed how to enhance ongoing projects and ensure smoother communication moving forward.

Key Highlights:

• Upcoming Events: Plans were made for Fall and Christmas Merch Drops, featuring new merchandise like sweatshirts and T-shirts. Hats for an upcoming photo shoot were also mentioned.

• Partnerships: The team was excited about a new collaboration with TerraCycle, encouraging chapters to collect hard plastics for future sculpture projects. Additionally, the successful partnership with Clean Ocean Action marked a milestone for the organization.

• Team Growth: Sophia and Bella were introduced as new members of the social media team. Jessica, Stockton Chapter President, shared updates on their latest cleanups and upcoming winter and spring fundraising efforts.

• Mentorship and Communication: Nick discussed mentoring Jess and the importance of strong leadership within chapters. To improve communication, the team agreed to schedule more frequent calls for brainstorming and planning.

• Incentive Programs: Kirstin proposed recognizing chapter presidents who consistently attend weekly meetings, highlighting the importance of leadership and engagement within the organization.

  
  

Next Steps:

• Ryan to schedule a meeting with Cherry Hill Triplex

• Executive team to prepare presentation materials for the potential donor.

• Incentive programs to be developed for chapter leaders.

• Nick to follow up with the Rowan chapter about an upcoming river cleanup event in West Deptford.

• More frequent calls to be scheduled for the executive team to brainstorm and improve collaboration.

  
  

With the momentum growing, Love Blue is well on its way to expanding its influence, building new partnerships, and strengthening its core team. Stay tuned for more updates as the organization continues to evolve!