There are dozens of spoil islands dotting the Indian River Lagoon that play host to kayakers, picnickers and anglers throughout the year, providing refuge and adventure and glimpses of some of Florida's most treasured wildlife, from dolphins to pelicans.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection wants people to enjoy them, but only if visitors can follow this rule — stop pooping on them.

"There is a major problem on the spoil islands with improper disposal of human waste," said Emily Dark, environmental specialist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Dark said the islands are made up of sand and limestone, and they lack the proper soil to effectively break down human waste.

Because it won't decompose as it would if buried in richer soils, the waste can create a serious health hazard on the islands' shores.

"This creates an even bigger problem when it rains and seeps into the lagoon," Dark said.

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Well, what are you supposed to do when nature calls?

The answer requires a little planning.

There are no trash cans or bathrooms on any of the spoil islands, so everything you bring ashore, you must also be prepared to take with you.

For human waste, Dark says people should bring landfill-approved human waste bags or a portable toilet.

The bags are sometimes called "WAG bags." WAG stands for waste alleviation and gelling, describing the technology (that is not unlike cat litter) that breaks down the waste and helps neutralize the smell.

Dispensers of the bags were installed on six islands in the lagoon — Brevard County 46 and 48, Indian River County 13 and 43 and St. Lucie County 2 and 6.

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The bags can also be purchased online or from various retailers, including some marinas in the region. Dark said she hopes more local retailers will add the products soon.

'Leave No Trace'

Dark leads the integration of 'Leave No Trace' principles in the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves, which extends from the Banana River in northern Brevard County to the Jupiter Inlet.

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an international organization with a mission to protect the environment by teaching people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

The lagoon was designated a "Hot Spot" by Leave No Trace in both 2017 and 2018. About 20 areas are chosen annually that suffer from severe impacts of outdoor activities, but have the potential to thrive again.

With the designation, Leave No Trace launched a campaign to spread awareness in the lagoon, hosting spoil island clean-up days and providing workshops and training.

They calculate 300 pounds of trash was removed, more than 1,000 people were trained and volunteers performed 101 hours of work during the 2018 campaign.

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Dark said they've seen evidence of illegally cutting mangroves for fire wood, littering and widening camping areas, in addition to the problems with human waste.

"On many of the spoil islands, we often see litter such as cigarette butts, food scraps, beverage cans/bottles, plastic items, fishing line and abandoned camping gear," Dark said. "This trash not only creates dirty and undesirable conditions on the islands, but also winds up in our lagoon and can potentially be unsafe for wildlife."

If you are interested in protecting the spoil islands, consider volunteering or donating to Friends of the Spoil Islands by visiting http://friendsofspoilislands.org/.

How's the water? Check on the status of the water near you with our interactive map.

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More tips to 'leave no trace':

Do not leave any trash on the islands. This includes food scraps, which can be taken home for proper composting.

Use existing trails, campsites and boat launches and avoid trampling on vegetation.

Never touch, feed or harass wildlife. Don't let your pets, kids or friends do so either.

Do not remove plants, shells, rocks or other natural resources. Take pictures instead.

Keep fires small and contained to the established rings. Bring your own wood.

For more details about visiting the islands, call the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves at (772) 429-2995 or visit http://spoilislandproject.org/.

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