Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Policy on Balloon Releases

Photo: Balloon at Mentor Marsh, 5185 Corduroy Road, Mentor, Ohio 44060 11/24/19. Photo credits: Becky Donaldson.

Photo: Kelly on Flickr. New York City US waterway.

No sitting on the fence! Discarded plastic curtesy of “Anagram”. A considerate note on this balloon warns that it must not be released outdoors in California ...... i suppose the rest of the planet is ok? I generally pick up one or two of these a week. https://www.flickr.com/photos/145360468@N05/48840217372/in/photolist-2hpQT4j-61H5Ch-b44wMK Ramsholt, Suffolk Coastal District, England

Photo: Balloon at Mentor Marsh, 5185 Corduroy Road, Mentor, Ohio 44060 11/24/19. Photo credits: Becky Donaldson.

Around the world, birds and other wildlife are picking up plastics mistaken as food and succumb from consuming the plastics or regurgitate the plastics, along with food, to their young who then die due to lack of nutrition or impaction of plastic in the digestive tract. ​

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Policy on Balloon Releases 

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society (WCAS) has taken a firm stance against the practice of releasing balloons (latex balloons, mylar balloons, helium filled or not, etc.) at any event or memorial service. WCAS understands that some occasions for balloon releases are for festive purposes or as remembrances for a lost loved one. WCAS does not want to dampen the spirit of any event, but the public needs to be made aware of the problems that released or lost balloons cause.

Balloons, especially those filled with helium, whether they be latex or mylar and the accompanying strings (ribbon …) once released, can travel great distances only to come down elsewhere causing a litter problem. If caught in vegetation, the balloons are more than a nuisance, again, they are unsightly litter and can endanger birds and small animals that get tangled in the string or ribbon. Birds are especially vulnerable in that the ribbon attracts their attention and may be attempted to be taken as nesting material only to get tangled and killed by the ribbon’s length. 

Mylar balloons do not decompose. They merely break down into smaller and smaller pieces, adding to the plastic pollution concern. Latex balloons will decompose, but it may take weeks to months. The plastic clips that seal the balloon do not decompose and the string or ribbon also lasts a long time. Balloons landing in water (fresh or saltwater) are mistaken for food by aquatic animals. Around the world, birds and other wildlife are picking up plastics mistaken as food and succumb from consuming the plastics or regurgitate the plastics, along with food, to their young who then die due to lack of nutrition or impaction of plastic in the digestive tract. ​

Photo: Bag Fairy NASA Sustainability Fair 2019. Photo by Penny O'Connor.

Mentor Marsh Facebook Page, November 25 at 7:00 AM: “When released into the atmosphere, helium balloons are able to travel vast distances (more than 10,500 miles). Every balloon will eventually land, becoming litter on beaches, rivers, lakes, oceans, and other natural areas. As a direct result, seabirds and other wildlife can be injured or killed from ingesting the balloon debris and/or becoming entangled in the long ribbons or strings.” (From balloondebris.weebly.com).  A University of Michigan graduate student is tracking and mapping balloon debris with the underlying goals of education, bringing attention to this practice and offering alternatives to balloon releases. Do you discover balloons when you’re out and about? It’s easy to report them: https://balloondebris.weebly.com
#99fieldballoons #balloonsblow #theonepieceplan

The alternative to balloon releases, recommended by WCAS, is to plant native plants that are wildlife friendly, such as trees that provide habitat, shrubs that provide food (flowers, fruits or seeds) or flowering perennials that are good for pollinators (insects and hummingbirds). These would be a lasting legacy as a remembrance to a loved one, would provide a natural way to celebrate as the plants mature, and enhance a neighborhood, school yard or park. 

WCAS hopes that the information presented will be considered and help the environment in a small, but significant way. ​

VIEW:  Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Policy on Balloon Releases  (PDF)

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