Captain Charles Moore Discussion and Benefit Presented by South Sound Sierra

Wednesday, March 16
Capitol Theater Downtown Olympia
Doors Open 6:00 pm – Event begins at 6:30 pm

Captain Charles Moore will talk about the effects of plastics on marine life in Puget Sound as well as the Washington and Oregon coast. We will also show several videos on South Puget Sound and the effects of corporate farming on our tidelands. Donny Westfall, a local musician will also perform. Plan on buying a Sierra cup and having something to drink and eat while looking at the tables of other environmental groups.

Charles Moore founded Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) in 1994 to focus on the “coastal ocean.” In 1997, his focus dramatically changed. While returning to California from Hawaii aboard his 50-foot catamaran, the Alguita, he chose to chart a course though the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, where he encountered enormous amounts of trash, mostly plastic, scattered across the area now commonly referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

On the most recent voyage in the summer of 2009, AMRF’s area of study extended to the International Date Line which revealed more of the same – plastic sludge in our trawl samples. Captain Moore has made numerous research voyages resulting in a body of authoritative research publications and date and educational programs and has appeared on the Letterman Show and The Colbert Report as well as many national radio programs.

Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is the oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. More information about this event can be found at http://cascade.sierraclub.org/