Spring 2012

12^th Annual Seagrass Awareness Celebration

Many students worked on service learning alongside UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant to provide fun-filled activities for everyone in the family. “Florida Sea Grant is a university-based program that supports research, education and extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Florida” (http://www.flseagrant.org/). The event was held at Shoreline Park South in Gulf Breeze, Florida and despite the rainy weather earlier in the morning, a fantastic crowd turned out! The focal point of this weekend’s underwater experience for both kids and adults involved marine life and an increased understanding of sea grass and how it is alive and full of wonderful sea creatures! This increased understanding leads to awareness and "ownership" of our natural resources which inevitably leads to better use and protection of them. 

 Students are manning their stations and waiting for the rain to stop! There were a variety of activities from create a sea turtle, to exploring and building your own sea grass bed!

 Two students practice building a sea grass bed before the kids arrive!

Here is a student helping one of the many young visitors create a water bottle fish!

This is a close-up take on the finished product! The final touches are gluing on the dorsal and pectoral fins of the fish!