Operation TRAP

Students: Mary Schneider, Cameron J. Sargent, Mallory Willem
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Monica Wilson, Coastal Debris Coordinator for Florida Sea Grant
Project Sites: Pasco County & Cedar Key, Florida

About:

Operation TRAP (Trash Reduction for Aquatic Preserves) is a NOAA Marine Debris Program-supported initiative working to reduce marine debris before it reaches Florida’s coastal ecosystems. The project operates across Florida’s Nature Coast in partnership with organizations and agencies including the Florida Sea Grant, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Keep Pasco Beautiful, the City of Cedar Key, and local governments such as Pasco County, Florida. 

Students participating in this internship engage directly with stormwater infrastructure and debris interception systems such as Watergoats, storm drain traps, and monofilament recycling tubes. Beyond cleanup work, the program emphasizes data collection, systems thinking, and community engagement around coastal resilience. 

What interns do:

• Clean storm drain traps and other litter interceptors weekly across Pasco County and Cedar Key 
• Collect data on the types and volumes of marine debris 
• Evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of different debris interception systems 
• Participate in community outreach events and educational activities 
• Reflect on the value of invisible labor and environmental responsibility 

Why this Work Matters:

Florida’s Gulf Coast communities face growing threats from pollution, storms, and infrastructure strain. Operation TRAP tackles these issues at the source, helping protect nearly 1.5 million acres of submerged coastal habitat. This ongoing project not only helps reduce marine debris; it also makes space for public dialogue, data-driven planning, and a renewed sense of stewardship. 

Mary Schneider — Spring 2025 Intern

“Cleaning storm drains is not glamorous work, but it is essential.”

That’s how Mary Schneider describes her experience working on Operation TRAP (Trash Reduction for Aquatic Preserves), a NOAA-funded project designed to intercept marine debris before it enters Florida’s sensitive coastal waters.

Over the course of the semester, Schneider worked in communities across the Nature Coast, getting her hands dirty as she helped clean out storm drains, debris interceptors called WATERGOATS, and monofilament recycling tubes.

While the work focused on debris interception, it also served as a gateway into understanding the broader systems of environmental and social resilience. Each cleanup site told a story, not just of litter, but of people, places, and priorities.

“There is something revealing about what gets left behind,” Schneider wrote in her reflection.

“You begin to notice patterns, see traces of community life, and appreciate the complexity of the systems that keep public spaces functioning.”

Mary’s biggest takeaway? That slow, methodical work can be one of the most powerful acts of service.

“There is dignity in doing something small that contributes to something much bigger.”
Read Mary’s blog post: In the Details: Reflections on Cleaning Storm Drains and the Quiet Impact of Public Service

Cameron J. Sargent — Fall 2025 Intern

For Cameron Sargent, Operation TRAP offered more than a firsthand look at marine debris prevention—it revealed the connections between environmental issues and civic responsibility.

“I saw how pollution isn’t merely the result of careless individuals, but of weak community engagement and a lack of political prioritization,” Sargent said.

As a political science, international studies, and Russian major, Sargent approached the internship through a different lens, looking beyond the litter itself to the systems that allow it to accumulate.

Throughout the semester, Sargent traveled across Florida’s Nature Coast, helping maintain WATERGOAT litter interception devices, clean storm drain traps, and collect data on the debris captured before it could reach local waterways. Every item was documented, creating a record of how consumer habits and community behaviors shape environmental outcomes. One statistic stood out to Sargent: more than 1,800 cigarette butts were collected from Cedar Key storm drains over the course of a year.

Rather than seeing pollution as an isolated environmental problem, Sargent came to view it as a reflection of broader community priorities.

“Every bottle cap, straw, and fragment of plastic tells a story—one of neglect, but also of opportunity.”

The experience reinforced Sargent’s belief that meaningful change depends on both individual action and collective engagement. Whether through public outreach, volunteer efforts, or community conversations, Sargent saw how small actions can build momentum for larger solutions.

His biggest takeaway? Change can begin anywhere.

“Meaningful change often starts small: a conversation with a passerby, a tabling event at a seafood festival, or a single volunteer showing up to help.”

As he reflected on the semester, Sargent carried forward a simple lesson that will guide his future work in public service:

“Change starts with me, and with you.”
Read Cameron’s blog post ‘Beyond Cleanup: How Operation Trap Changed the Way I See My Community’.

Mallory Willem— Summer 2025 & Spring 2026 Intern

As Operation TRAP’s Summer 2025 and Spring 2026 Gulf Scholar, Mallory Willem spent her internship focused on the details. 

“This experience was all about taking part in the small tasks that contribute to a bigger goal,” Willem said. 

From cleaning storm drain litter interception devices to sorting debris and recording data, much of her work involved repetitive, methodical tasks that helped prevent trash from reaching Florida’s coastal waters. 

At each cleanup site, Willem sifted through layers of leaves, sediment, and litter, separating materials and documenting what was found. The information collected helps Operation TRAP better understand local waste streams and provides valuable data for community outreach and education efforts. 

What began as a daunting process quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of her experience. 

“Every piece of litter this device catches and I sort will now be properly disposed of. This quiet act of public service will make a difference.” 

As she worked across Florida’s Nature Coast, Willem began noticing patterns in the debris collected at different locations. Some areas showed clear signs of community care, while others revealed the impacts of heavier traffic and everyday littering. The experience reinforced for her how individual choices shape shared spaces and highlighted the importance of preventing pollution before it reaches local waterways. 

The internship also prompted her to reflect on her own habits and responsibilities. 

“Through this role I have stepped back to look at my own consumption and waste habits.” 

One lesson stood out above all others: meaningful environmental stewardship is often built on small, consistent actions. Whether it was sorting a single bottle cap, maintaining a litter trap, or volunteering time to protect a favorite fishing spot, every effort contributed to a larger impact. 

Her biggest takeaway? Small actions add up to big results. 

While the work may not have been glamorous, Willem left with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

“Walking away with dirt deep under my nails feels like success.” 
Read Mallory’s blog post ‘The Small Things Add Up: A Reflection on my Time as Operation TRAP’s UF Gulf Scholar’.