Dear John,

I have spent thousands of hours at sea and along our coasts studying Maine’s wildlife, so trust me when I tell you: balloons blow.

When a balloon is released, it always finds its way back down. They pollute our forests, clog our waterways, and can harm or kill land and marine wildlife. Sea turtles mistake balloons for their staple jellyfish, whales can unknowingly ingest them as they feed, and birds can easily get tangled in the attached ribbons. I’ve seen it all, and it’s time for things to change.

The Maine Legislature is currently considering two bills that would put a stop to releasing balloons in Maine, and next week, I’ll be testifying in support of these bills that would define balloon releases as littering. 

We need your help to ensure lawmakers see the overwhelming public support for these two bills to protect Maine's wildlife and environment — and I will deliver your petition signatures along with my testimony.

Tell the Maine Legislature: Support legislation that defines intentional balloon releases as littering. Click here to sign the petition.
 

I’ve seen more deflated, sun-bleached balloons floating in the Gulf of Maine than anyone needs to see in a lifetime. While out on research trips or leading whale watching tours, my captains would do their best to slow down for us to grab as many balloons as possible each trip, but we were always outnumbered. When I worked as a coastal birds biologist last summer, I carried an empty backpack with me on all my surveys to collect plastic debris. Balloons were amongst the top few items I collected near the nests of the endangered birds our team worked to protect. That backpack was often full at the end of each day.

But you don’t need me to assure you that this is an issue. I know you’ve seen the “Happy Birthday!” relics snagged in trees or washed ashore yourself. It’s time to create new traditions to celebrate our milestones, but first, let’s do what we can to protect Maine’s wildlife and environment from balloons now.

Click here to sign our petition to tell the Maine Legislature to support legislation that defines intentional balloon releases as littering.

Let’s do what we can to celebrate life’s big moments responsibly. 

For our wildlife and wild places, 
Ches

PS — Do you want to submit testimony in support of this issue? You can submit written testimony and/or deliver live testimony at the public hearing Monday morning if you want to share your thoughts or experiences with balloon debris in Maine. Reply to this email and we’ll come up with a plan together.