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Scott Wolford graduated from California State University Bakersfield in 1989 with a bachelors degree in Physical Education. He swam for the Roadrunners. He enjoyed the local lakes and headed for the coast to enjoy California’s water areas whenever possible. After graduated, he earned his masters in Physical Education in 1990 at Florida International University in Miami. Upon graduating he worked in California and St. Augustine for over six years at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind as the recreation manager for the visually impaired. He was raised in the Indiana Dunes National Park along Lake Michigan for the beaches that are close by. He worked as a lifeguard on Lake Michigan and spent numerous hours on the beach. Scott grew up with a love for nature and continues to share this love with a series of children's books that encourage us all to do our part in helping keep the environment clean.

Gino the Minnow, is Scott's first published book and it focuses on clean water areas. The hardcover book is beautifully illustrated and shows how one little fish can make a world of difference. His next two books will discuss ways to cleaner land and air qualities and what we can all do to help. $1 will be donated to non-profit organizations who focus on cleaner environments.
Thousands upon thousands of miles of coastal and water masses enrich this beautiful nation of ours. Water is one of the most important natural resources that we have. Here in California we all should be truly grateful having such beautiful beaches near by to enrich our lives. All of us need to take care of our water. Not only for ourselves, but for wildlife and future generations to enjoy. Millions of tons of trash are thrown into the water areas each and every year. This trash can take years to decompose, if ever.

A few facts on the time it takes for some materials to fully decompose:
Paper: 2-8 months, Plastic Coated Cartons: 5 years, Plastic Bags: 10-20 years,
Cigarette Butts: up to 12 years, Tin Cans: 50-100 years,
Aluminum Cans:80-100 years, Batteries: 100 years,
Plastic Six Pack Holder Rings: 450 years, Glass Bottles: 1 million years
Plastic Soda Bottles: Forever
 

As you can see, it takes some materials a very, very long time to decompose, some last forever. Some people may think that it is much easier to simply toss the trash wherever they are, instead of disposing of it properly. Improper disposal of trash has many bad side effects: harm to wildlife. Some creatures eat the litter thinking it is food. The litter causes damages to the creatures' digestive systems. Also, litter can get tangled in the fins or legs of various animal life, which can cut off circulation or other damage to the their tissues. Fishing line and plastic six pack holder rings are the main culprit in these types of damage to wildlife. Numerous injuries on human life are experienced each year as well. Broken glass bottles, aluminum cans, and other forms of litter can cause havoc on ones' body. The water can be contaminated from litter tossed into the water areas, which makes the water harmful to consume or to swim in for humans and wildlife.
Do you want to see the same trash at your favorite water spot, year after year? What can you do about this problem of litter in our water areas? When you go to the water areas pack for the outing as light as possible. Carry with you as few amounts of future trash items as possible. Several suggestions include using cloth napkins, clean towels and rags, stainless steel silverware, glass or pottery dishes and cups, rechargeable batteries, and a thermos for beverages. Bring a garbage bag with you for all of your trash items, as there may not be any trash cans in the location that you will be going or it may already be filled. Dispose of all of your trash properly. Used fishing line should be recycled. If you see trash left behind by others, please do your part in cleaning up the water areas, by picking it up. Be careful when picking up trash. You should wear proper gloves.
Go for a nice walk along the water. Bring a garbage bag with you, to allow you to pick up any trash that you may see along the way. You’ll get some great exercise, see some beautiful sights, spend quality time with those special to you, and leave a clean water area, which everyone can enjoy. Join an organized beach cleanup group. Start your own beach cleanup group. Do your own beach cleanup each and every time you visit your favorite water area.
Especially with the high price of gas, why not stay close to home and enjoy your local beaches? For more information on ordering his book, Gino the Minnow or helping keep the water areas clean, please look on www.ginotheminnow.com. Scott would like to hear from his friends and others who share a devotion to our environment.