Kenny Chesney is known for his beachy attitude and persona, however the singer steps it up a notch by giving back to the island world in a charitable and important way. Chesney adopted two man-made reefs in Florida that were created to rebuild aquatic life in the St. John River area.
While in the sunshine state for a sold-out show on June 14, Chesney visited the first two “No Shoes Reefs” which were built to be a part of the Coastal Conservation Association and George Holt Reefs. They were funded through the support of Chesney’s ongoing partnership with Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and The Coastal Conservation Association/Building Conservation Trust.
“It’s so easy to take the oceans and waterways for granted,” Chesney says.
“What they were able to create here says a lot about the ways man can live not just in harmony, but supporting our natural aquatic resources. Beyond clean water, it is about supporting healthy marine life… and that includes being aware of the impact of erosion under the water.”
Thirteen-hundred tons of concrete was used to create the two reefs. In total, 18 barge loads were needed to carry the material to the two designated reef sites. Each reef measures 200’ x 200’ – and were built in a two-week time frame to minimize disruption.
“Looking at the underwater sonar, it’s amazing,” Chesney marvels.
“In only 18 months, these reefs aren’t just alive, they’re thriving with life. As a guy who has so many of my happiest memories on the water, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of creating something like this in partnership with the City of Jacksonville, the people at the Coastal Conservation Association and the sales of my line of sunglasses with Costa Del Mar.
All these teams came together to do something really good for the world, and I love the idea that now two reefs are working to help strengthen the health of the river. When you protect that, you insure the survival of something integral for our survival, as well as nurturing an ideal habitat for marine life. I’m blown away by how this has grown.”
“The sky’s the limit because there’s so many places that need healthy marine habitat,” expressed Coastal Conservation Association President, Pat Murray.
“We were just talking about the incredible life on this river and what this reef is doing to enhance that life. If we do that times ten or times 100 or who knows, we can make a real difference for the health of our oceans.”
Easily accessible by boats, the reefs provide a much-needed habitat and improved fishing in this section of the river, which is approximately 20 miles inland from the Atlantic. Drawing inspiration from life on the water, the 8-time Academy of Country Music/Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year hopes to insure the future of the oceans and beaches for generations to come.
“To get out on the water and float around something that started as a dream and a couple conversations about what to do with the money the sunglasses line had brought in, that’s powerful,” Chesney continues.
“The proof is in the water, and I couldn’t be prouder of all the people who helped build it, the University of Jacksonville for studying it and everyone who contributed in so many different ways to make this a reality.”
For more information on the Coastal Conservation Association visit their website at www.joincca.org
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