If you’re connected to our online world, you’ve probably seen the videos of some of your friends or acquaintances, or some people you don’t know halfway across the country, doing a balloon release to mark some important event.

Usually, these are done to commemorate someone who has died, and it can be a solemn and moving sight to see the balloons floating away toward the heavens. And the mourners have the best of intentions of honoring their loved one in a way that is meaningful to them.

However, another subset of videos frequently seen online graphically illustrates the dangers of letting balloons and other trash out into the environment. There is no shortage of videos that show wildlife endangered by humans’ trash, whether that’s general litter or balloons that were sent out into the environment intentionally.

An upcoming event will illustrate the dangers of this trash. Volunteers will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave. The project is a partnership between Keep Suffolk Beautiful, the Suffolk Art League and the gallery.

Steel sculptures of a butterfly and a turtle made by Thomas Shirk’s welding class at the College and Career Academy at Pruden will be used as the base. Clam netting collected on Fisherman Island will be weaved on the sculptures, then embellished with balloons found on remote beaches in Virginia.

The end result is likely to be a striking piece of artwork but also, first and foremost, an example of the dangers of balloon releases and other forms of littering. The sculptures will go on tour after they are completed to bring attention to this problem across the state.

We encourage all who are able to participate and to see this project. We’re certain it will be a sobering reminder of our impact on the environment.