Conservation Connections

It's day one of our three day program, and I am just getting to know my new set of 6th graders. They are one of the quietest groups I have ever had walk through the woods.  We found fresh deer tracks on our way out to the orienteering course and I showed them how to photograph objects like this with a pen, watch, or coin in order to provide scale.

Deer Track at Nature's Classroom

My visiting teacher is a hunter and fisherman, who said he also likes to "hunt fish" (bow hunting and spearfishing).  Many of our best conservationists today are the outdoor sportsmen who know first hand of the degradation of the habitats they love to spend time in.  I always enjoy having a teacher along who actually plays outside as well!

My class is observant and spotted a gopher tortoise out of his hole.  Based on a poll we took, most of them have yards where wild animals pass through.  This is a very lucky (and rare) class as most of Hillsborough County is urban or quickly turning that way. They are very interested in what is happening in the wild pet trade, so I will bring this in tomorrow;

National Geographic - April 2014

Last weekend I received the Girl Scout Volunteer of Excellence Award.  I am very appreciative of my co-leader, parents, girls, and volunteers who did this.  It's always nice when someone says thank you.  They are awesome. 

In the last few months I have also received the BSA Silver Beaver Award, the BSA District Award of Merit, and the University of Florida's Advanced Florida Master Naturalist Award.  I am humbled to receive these, and appreciate all the work that went into making this happen. However, I know my work is not done.  There is so much more to do.  

BSA Silver Beaver and GSA Volunteer of Excellence Award

For example, Dr. Sylvia Earle is actively promoting her Mission Blue program and her ocean Hope Spots, protected areas of the ocean, at the grand young age of 79! She still actively speaks, tweets, posts, and more.  Check out her conservation movement at;

http://mission-blue.org

Greg Treinish of ASC (Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation) is promoting Citizen Science all over the world.  He spoke earlier this year at our District Science Fair and I was captivated.  I signed up right away to collect water for the microplastics research.  Check out his conservation movement at;

http://adventurescience.org

So where do we take what we are doing right now and raise it up a level?  How can we fight for what's right for the planet?  Each of us has talents and the kids in my class have the power to get involved. I encourage that!  But how do I specifically go about it?  I am thinking on that a lot these days.  

Tonight my husband and I are celebrating our anniversary. We plan to go have shrimp at Bonefish Grill. I wondered, after hearing Dr. Earle tell her audience to "be informed about what you eat", what is Bonefish grill doing to support fisheries conservation?

A quick review of their website under the Frequently Asked Questions led me to their "Responsibility" Section. They wrote that they follow the recommendations of NOAA (National Oceanic and Armospheric Administration), the Bloomin' Brands Seafood Advisory Council, and an ocean conservation foundation called Ocean Trust.  It appears that their food does come from sustainable sources. I think I will go ahead and order the shrimp, but I will also keep researching my food and looking for ways to conservation to the next level.  We are never too young or too old to learn!