STUDENTS AGAINST BALLOON RELEASES (SABR)
SABR logo designed by Scott Arvin
Students Against Balloon Releases (SABR) is a partnership between Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools. The program seeks to educate students about the dangers and wastefulness of mass balloon releases and other forms of litter, and empower them with the knowledge to educate others.
“Benton-Carroll-Salem School District is excited to partner with Black Swamp Bird Observatory in creating Students Against Balloon Releases: a program that will provide valuable learning opportunities for our children in classrooms and in field settings. Our work together is a win for students, for our economy, for the overall safety of our communities, and for our natural habitat.”
-- Guy Parmigian,
B-C-S Superintendent
“Benton-Carroll-Salem School District is excited to partner with Black Swamp Bird Observatory in creating Students Against Balloon Releases: a program that will provide valuable learning opportunities for our children in classrooms and in field settings. Our work together is a win for students, for our economy, for the overall safety of our communities, and for our natural habitat.”
-- Guy Parmigian,
B-C-S Superintendent
Empowering Students
 A student collects balloon litter off of a local beach along Lake Erie
The SABR program encourages students to...
Use earth-friendly alternatives in place of balloons and sky lanterns Help keep their school and county litter-free Spend time outdoors enjoying nature, without litter! Recycle! Speak out against balloon / sky lantern releases in their community Invite family and friends to attend a beach or highway clean-up |
The facts about balloon and sky lantern releases... they're UGLY! All of these balloons were picked up along a 1/2 mile stretch of beach along Lake Erie in Ottawa, Co., OH
Where do you think balloons go when they are released into the atmosphere?
People have been releasing balloons for decades under the assumption that the balloons are biodegradable. This is false! Many people think they simply vanish, but the reality is that they can travel for thousands of miles before deflating and falling back to the ground as ugly litter. Many states have banned mass-littering events with balloons and sky lanterns. |
They are NOT Biodegradable.
Balloons and sky lanterns are marketed as 100% biodegradable. Sky lanterns are made of wood, bamboo and paper. Nothing is said about the metal support that holds the flame in place. These supports do not decompose.
Latex balloons are often sold in bags of twelve or more at a very reasonable price. Both latex and mylar balloons are falsely marketed as “100% biodegradable.” The balloon industry wants you to believe that they simply “burst into extremely small pieces.” In reality, they pop and fall back to the ground, resembling food for native wildlife. And they do NOT break down for months, sometimes YEARS!
Latex balloons are often sold in bags of twelve or more at a very reasonable price. Both latex and mylar balloons are falsely marketed as “100% biodegradable.” The balloon industry wants you to believe that they simply “burst into extremely small pieces.” In reality, they pop and fall back to the ground, resembling food for native wildlife. And they do NOT break down for months, sometimes YEARS!
It’s Dangerous!
 A bird killed after becoming entangled by the strings of deflated balloon litter.
For animals... When balloons are released, their strings often become entangled around wildlife causing starvation and death. Many animals mistake the deflated balloons for food, chocking or suffocating to death as a result. |
 A massive fire started by a sky lantern
Dangerous for people, too! These forms of littering have been known to cause serious injury to wildlife and people. Massive fires can ignite when mylar balloons float into industrial or residential areas, or into high tension power lines. Sky lanterns are set on fire and released into the air with no control over when or where they land. |
It’s Wasteful!
Our country’s helium resources are needed for diagnostic medical testing and scientific research. Such as:
- Magnetic Resolution Imaging (MRI)
- Rocket Fuel
- Space and Deep Sea Exploration
- Laser Eye Surgery
- As A Gas Shield for Arc-Welding
- Cooling Nuclear Reactors