Goal 10: Create a Scientifically and Environmentally Informed Citizenry

10.1 A number of educational activities are implemented under the previous goals. The following ones cross many goals and are implemented in general.

10.1.1 Produce high quality publications and productions that effectively communicate results of Florida Sea Grant activities to both general and specialized audiences. Productions include Sea Grant Reports, Sea Grant Extension Fact Sheets and brochures, Sea Grant Technical Papers, books, book chapters, staff papers, conference proceedings, newsletters, posters signage and electronic formats including CD-ROMs and videos. (Kearl /Zimmerman )

10.1.2 At least ten print or broadcast news releases will be produced. (Kearl /Zimmerman )

10.1.3 The Florida Sea Grant Internet home page and website will be upgraded and maintained. (Zimmerman /Whitehouse /Damron/Wagner )

10.2 Conduct public education programs concerning endangered species in Brevard County. (Combs )

10.2.1 Offer public education through two workshops in Brevard County with newly developed “custom” written materials concerning proper methods of protecting and conserving endangered species, especially manatees and seaturtles.

10.2.2 Work with the Clean Boating Partnership in distribution of approximately 30 Monofilament Collection bins to be distributed to Clean Marinas around the state of Florida – funding provided by the Clean Boating Partnership; bin-construction (total 100 bins constructed) during 2004 by 80 Rockledge High School Environmental Science Students. Such Monofilament Collection Bins provide on-site public educational opportunities concerning importance of preventing introduction of environmentally unfriendly products, such as monofilament, into marine and aquatic environments where they might be ingested by endangered species or any other species, causing probable health hazards to these species.

10.3 Assist federal, state and local agencies in development of sea turtle awareness programs. (Combs )

10.3.1 Conduct eight 1-2 hour sessions of programming for Brevard County 4-H youth and adults interested in participating in the annual State 4-H Marine Ecology Event; subject areas studied will include marine ecosystems, marine plants, marine invertebrates, and marine vertebrates.

10.3.2 Enter a Junior Team and a Senior Team from Brevard County in the annual State 4-H Marine Ecology Contest.

10.3.3 Develop three educational brochures, designed to enhance recreational boaters’ understanding of endangered marine species, the importance of protecting them, and methods to do so, especially manatees, green seaturtles, and loggerhead seaturtles, all of which are found in the IRL during a part of their life-cycle.

10.4 Teach youth and adults about environmental issues in Lee County.

10.4.1 Experienced certified SCUBA divers will be organized to dive Boca Grande Pass March 17 and 18, 2005 to recover debris from the Pass. Divers attend a workshop provided by Mote Marine Laboratory and Florida Sea Grant on a marine invasive species-Green Mussel. This particular species has been introduced to our coastal area in the Tampa area and has been spreading throughout Florida waters. This is an aggressive species that will encroach on native species and disrupt ecosystems. Divers are educated as to identifying, surveying and reporting all sightings. This is important in order to understand its behavior, range and adaptive nature; thus, putting a plan together to stifle further growth. Divers are provided a refresher lecture on proper dive techniques and safety protocols. (Wasno /Stevely /Jacoby /Staugler )

10.4.2 Conduct general marine environmental education programs for youth and adults in Lee County. (Wasno )

10.5 The Gulf Coast Regional Envirothon Board of Directors will be focusing on recruiting additional high school participation in the five county area of Southwest Florida. A colorful brochure has been printed for distribution to all science teachers/coordinators in the area. The brochure highlights past events and will serve as an introduction for future high school visits by Envirothon recruiters. Envirothon 2005 will be held in early December. (Wasno / Staugler )

10.6 REDstart volunteers will participate in a 2-day workshop on concepts of aquaculture and proper fish handling techniques. As this project moves towards the research phases, total number of fish reared will be increased and thus elevate risks of fish die-offs due to stress and disease. This workshop will be conducted in early Fall 2005. Participating agencies that will offer presentations will include Mote Marine Laboratory, Ruskin Aquaculture Facility, Florida Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Sea Grant, Sanibel Captive Conservation Foundation Marine Laboratory and US Fish and Wildlife Service. (Wasno / Stevely /Creswell )

10.7 Fisherman’s Educational Kiosk – Through a Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program grant, an educational kiosk focusing on issues pertinent to fishing tournament participants will be developed. This kiosk will highlight 18 issues of importance to include fish handling, venting tools, sea grass protection as well as some research projects that Sea Grant is involved with locally. A few of the research projects would be the REDstart Project, Oyster Reef Enhancement and Red Tide. This kiosk will be displayed at 12 Lee County fishing tournaments with a potential audience of 3,500 participants. It will also be made available for agents in Charlotte, Sarasota and Hillsboro Counties. (Wasno /Staugler / Stevely /Sweat )

10.8 A grant through the West Coast Inland Navigation District will provide funding for boat fuel for an elite high school dive research team. Under the guidance of Lee Counties Marine Agent, this group of 10 high school students will meet on a bi-monthly basis to conduct artificial reef research on Lee County Reef Systems. (Wasno )

10.9 Conduct a general marine educational program for youth and adults in Santa Rosa County. (Verlinde )

10.9.1 With UF/IFAS researchers, North Carolina State University and US Fish and Wildlife Service, coordinate and present at stream restoration workshop.

10.9.2 Provide coastal information news articles to various media outlets.

10.9.3 Continue to support, coordinate and develop curriculum and videos for the Resource Ranger Program, an environmental education program for 4-H members and students. The program includes curriculum, videos and field trips about coastal issues.

10.9.4 Coordinate the 5 th annual Seagrass Awareness Celebration. As part of the Santa Rosa County Beaches to Woodlands Tour, coordinate the “Coastal Encounters” event.

10.9.5 Teach Florida Master Naturalist Program wetlands and coastal modules.

10.9.6 Coordinate 21 th annual NW Florida Rivers Clean-up and International Coastal Clean-up.

10.9.7 Develop educational programs for 4-H, teachers, boaters and interested citizens on marine debris and monofilament recycling.

10.9.8 Work with extension 4-H agents in the development of coastal programs and activities for local clubs. Continue to provide activities and curriculum for senior 4-H marine club.

10.9.9 Provide information concerning coastal issues to public through e-mail lists.

10.9.10 Provide coastal information and hands-on activities at various environmental events such as Earth Day, Navarre Fun Fest, NW Florida Wildlife Sanctuary’s Open House.

10.9.11 Provide Santa Rosa County community leaders with coastal information.

10.9.12 Support the Board of County Commissioners marine advisory committee. Coordinate an open public forum on boating, access and waterway issues. Respond and coordinate waterway management issues.

10.9.13With Andrew Diller, provide “Sea Turtle Friendly Beaches” program to Navarre beach residents.

10.9.14 Provide coastal issue talks to various community organizations.

10.9.15 Support 4-H marine and county camps at Camp Timpoochee. Provide 4-H leaders and teachers with coastal information and opportunities.

10.10 Conduct a general shellfish aquaculture program for youth and adults. (Sturmer )

10.10.1 Provide information about the economic and environmental benefits of shellfish aquaculture to a variety of groups, including youth, students, citizens, local government officials, state agency representatives, legislators and the media, through tours, presentations and written materials.

10.10.2 Serve on a steering committee in developing the 2 nd annual Clamerica Celebration to be held on 4 th of July in Cedar Key. This community event is planned to focus attention on the importance of the area’s aquaculture industry.

10.10.3 Provide educational programs on shellfish aquaculture to local K-12 teachers and to 4-H youth.

10.11 Enhance the sustainability of Cortez, Florida. (Stevely )

10.11.1 Organize 24 th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Annually this festival reaches 15,000 citizens with information on environmental issues, and raises $55,000-$65,000 for acquisition of environmentally sensitive land.

10.11.2 Assist Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) in conducting educational programming to support acquisition and management of the FISH Preserve, development of the Florida West Coast Maritime Museum at Cortez, and restoration of the 1912 Cortez School House.

10.12 Conduct public education programs in Charlotte County (Staugler )

10.12.1 Develop and maintain a Charlotte County Marine Extension website with local marine resource information.

10.12.2 Research and write at least 12 columns for the WaterLIFE Magazine on marine-related topics, monthly distribution of 30,000.

10.12.3 Write marine-related column for quarterly Extension Newsletter.

10.12.4 Participate in the planning and aquatics testing section of the Envirothon competition for high school students in SW Florida.

10.12.5 Work with Keep Charlotte Beautiful, CCA, & U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, to assemble, install and maintain monofilament recycling bins at marinas, ramps and fishing piers within the County.

10.12.6 Help coordinate Coastal Cleanup and Adopt a Shore programs.

10.12.7 Provide coastal information and activities at various marine-related events.

10.12.8 Provide marine-related speaker programs to at least six community organizations.

10.12.9 Develop Mangrove & Seagrass program and Watersheds & Water Quality program for Master Gardener training.

10.12.10 Work with Wasno and Jacoby to organize the Boca Grande Pass cleanup event. (with Wasno /Jacoby )

10.12.11 Redevelop and reprint the Charlotte Harbor Boating & Angling Guide.

10.12.12 Distribute 40,000 Boating & Angling Guides.

10.12.13 Work with Charlotte County Environmental & Extension Services to develop and implement “Environmental Traveling Show” for youth grades 3-5.

10.13 Conduct a general marine environmental education program for youth and adults in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. (S.Jackson )

10.13.1 Develop educational programs for teachers, boaters and interested citizens on marine debris and monofilament line recycling.

10.13.2 Work with volunteers in annual fall coastal clean-up campaigns.

10.13.3 Work with Extension 4H Agents in the development of marine environmental programs for local clubs.

10.13.4 Develop marine environmental programs for local K-12 teachers.

10.13.5 Develop online or hard-copy newsletter or newspaper articles on local marine/coastal topics that is distributed to interested citizens.

10.13.6 Provide Master Naturalist Programs featuring wetlands and coastal systems to interested citizens and establish a volunteer coastal program for marine extension.

 10.14 In Taylor and neighboring counties, the gag grouper is a highly valuable fish for both recreational and commercial anglers. Working primarily with key faculty in the University of Florida Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, a public awareness and education campaign will be established to gain broad public support for a new project aimed at enhancing essential fish habitat off the coast of Taylor and Dixie Counties. Increased awareness of the Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area project will be achieved through public presentations, comprehensive web-based publications, and through various regional print publications. The gag fishery is currently under intense management and pressure. This educational campaign will also serve to increase awareness of general principles of coastal health and ecology and also of management techniques that make Florida’s fisheries both sustainable and competitive. This will create a better educated citizenry and increase support for similar long-term enhancement projects in the future. (Sapp )

10.15 Plan, market and produce a regional fishing tournament titled, “4-H Nature Coast Classic.” This event, tentatively scheduled for May of 2006, will feature specific adult and youth education programs focusing on responsible angling and fisheries enhancement and conservation that are consistent with Florida Sea Grant. It will also feature a commercial expo that will draw many of the top boat, tackle, and marine-related equipment manufacturers in the State. The event will serve to raise awareness among both citizens and industry in the region about the key programs of Florida Sea Grant and Florida 4-H, while raising money for Taylor County 4-H and artificial reef development programs. Grant funding will be pursued to support the marketing of this event. (Sapp )

10.16 Plan and implement complete re-development of the Taylor County Extension Service web presence, while directly referencing Florida Sea Grant and Florida Sea Grant programs in all Taylor County Marine program areas. Through direct marketing, effective design principles, and consistent “cross-promotional” efforts (direct reference in various outreach campaigns, , web site traffic will increase by 250-400% during the first year. (Sapp )

10.17 Initiate a broad-based community education program that seeks to increase knowledge and awareness of primary Florida Sea Grant programs including aquaculture, fisheries, coastal habitats, boating and waterways, water quality, and coastal storms. Program areas will be tailored to issues and concerns that are relevant to Taylor County and the “ Nature Coast.” Consistent with regional demographic indicators, education will focus on the principles of empowerment and ownership (ex. Fisheries conservation will be promoted through a sense of personal responsibility, specific reference to the individual gain from collective efforts, and practical steps to achieve productive fish populations) and will include monthly articles in regional sportsman publications (ex. In each issue of Woods-N-Water, a regional publication with a distribution of 65,000, I will contribute a feature article that deals with a specific theme of relevance to Florida Sea Grant and makes specific reference to Taylor County Extension and Florida Sea Grant. Each article will include a specific reference to the Taylor County web site, where I will create a detailed series of web-based publications that serve to further increase knowledge and understanding of the current issue.), print and web-based publications, presentations to local civic groups, and creative ways of “cross-promotion” with local government organizations including the Chamber of Commerce and local Tourism Board. (Sapp )

10.18 Research and write at least 20 columns this year for the Apalachicola & Carrabelle Times Newspapers on marine/natural resources-related topics. (Mahan )

10.19 Present at least 10 Marine Extension Updates to the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners on a variety of local and state marine issues. (Mahan )

10.20 Continue work with County High Schools to help provide research and technical support for student’s science fair projects and to be a judge at the Annual Science Fair. (Mahan

10.21 Teach two homeowner education programs to educate homeowners on how the can help protect our local natural resources by selecting the proper pesticide and using it safely. (Mahan )

10.22 Conduct a general marine environmental education program for youth and adults in Escambia County. (Diller )

10.22.1 Maintain and update the Escambia County Marine Extension website with local marine resource information, sea turtle education, and educational events.

10.22.2 Continue support and development of educational programs for teachers, boaters and interested citizens on marine debris, coastal clean-ups, and monofilament line recycling.

10.22.3 Work with Extension 4-H agents in the development of marine environmental programs for local clubs. Assist with development and activities at state marine and county 4-H camps.

10.22.4 Develop marine environmental programs for local K-12 teachers and youth. Continue writing for Resource Rangers video series and developing related educational programming.

10.22.5 Develop online or hard-copy newsletter or newspaper articles on local marine/coastal topics that are distributed to interest citizens.

10.22.6 Provide Master Naturalist Program training to interested citizens and continue to develop a local volunteer program for marine extension.

10.22.7 Coordinate the Turtle Friendly Beach program for sea turtle awareness and protection. Conduct sea turtle lighting workshops and provide sand fencing information during the recovery from Hurricane Ivan. Provide educational assistance and Sea Grant Extension representation to various sea turtle working groups. (with Verlinde )

10.23 Conduct a general marine educational program for youth and adults in Santa Rosa County. With Andrew Diller, provide “Sea Turtle Friendly Beaches” program to beach residents. (Verlinde /Diller )

10.24 Enhance stewardship of marine life through education in St. Lucie County. (Creswell )

 10.24.1 Conduct classroom instruction for “Motion in the Ocean” 5 th grade program. 300 - 5th grade students attending middle and high schools in the St. Lucie County School District will improve their knowledge of marine science through the "Motion in the Ocean" program, a hands-on instructional which focuses on the relationship between anatomical form, function and adaptation to the environment.

10.24.2 Conduct ecology and canoeing instruction to 5 th graders through the “Lagoon Days” program.

10.24.3 Conduct field trip exercises with 4 th graders through the “Ecosystem Explorer” program at the St. Lucie County Marine Center. 300 - 4th grade students will become more knowledgeable about the marine environment by attending a program at the St. Lucie County Marine Center.

10.24.4 Conduct field trip exercises with 7 th graders through the “Ecosystem Explorer” program at the St. Lucie County Marine Center. 200 - 7th grade students will become more knowledgeable about the marine environment by attending a program at the St. Lucie County Marine Center in conjunction with classroom instruction at their schools.

10.24.5 Conduct in-class presentations on marine invasive species in Florida. 500 - students attending middle and high schools in the St. Lucie county School District will improve their knowledge of marine invasive species in Florida and methods to decrease introductions of non-native marine species.

10.24.6 Provide marine day programs for 4-H summer camps (4). 200 - 4-H, Indian River "Lagoon Days", and other summer camp students will increase their knowledge of the Indian River Lagoon through field activities, such as beach seining, benthic sampling, and observation.

10.25 To increase the awareness of the citizenry of St. Lucie County of the anthropogenic impacts on Florida's coastal waters, and more specifically, the Indian River Lagoon. (Creswell )

10.25.1 Conduct “Our Coastal Environment” seminar series (four part series relating coastal ecology and environmental landscaping through FYN) to at least five homeowner associations and other civic groups in St. Lucie County.

10.25.2 Continue bi-weekly radio broadcast “At Home in St. Lucie” (½ hour program) discussing topics related to the impacts of coastal development and mans’ activities on the marine environment.

10.25.3 "Clean Boating"- A "Clean Boating" display, including an audio-visual presentation, the "Clean Boating Habits" booklet, hurricane preparation for boating interests, and other printed material were presented at public events. These included: "Florida Shallow Water Fishing Expo'" , "Ft. Pierce Boat Show", "St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce Fishing Tournament", and "Nature Days" ( Ft. Pierce Manatee Center).

10.25.4 Conduct at least two workshops dedicated to public education of marine invasive species.

10.25.5 Distribute invasive species information to retail pet outlets throughout St. Lucie County.

10.25.6 Continue to work with “The Caulerpa Taskforce” to develop strategies for public identification of this and other algal invasive to the Treasure Coast.

10.26 Conduct public education programs in Miami-Dade County. (Crane )

10.26.1 Volunteers who will participate in beach clean up activities will remove marine debris from the shoreline and will learn the impacts of litter to the shoreline. Knowledge gained will be determined by survey at the end of clean-up event.

10.26.2 Conduct workshops on marine environmental topics for informal and formal educators/teachers. Knowledge gained and skills learned will be measured by pre and post test. Follow-up survey will indicate number of students reached with information from the workshop.

10.26.3 Continue working with volunteers to construct and install at least 15 outdoor fishing line recycling bins and educate citizens on the impacts of discarded fishing line to the marine environment. Success of this activity will be measured by the number of volunteers who participate and the number of recreational anglers reached about the program. At least 80% of anglers will agree to use the bins if placed where they regularly fish.

10.26.4 Teach youth (K-12 Grade) the basic concepts of the coastal and marine systems such as coral reefs, marine debris, sharks, and sea turtles. Knowledge gained will be measured at the end of the program by program survey.

10.27 Develop and conduct Marine Science Career Day for local high school youth and teachers. (Crane )

10.27.1 A local workshop will be conducted for landscape architects on Mangrove Biology, Ecology, Trimming Regulations, and Restoration Activities in south Florida. Knowledge gained will be measured by pre-post test.

10.27.2 Host and conduct Environmental Immersion Day for high school students to learn about Miami’s marine and coastal environment.

10.27.3 Online or hard-copy newsletter or newspaper articles will be developed on local marine/coastal topics that is distributed to interested citizens. Bi-monthly “At the Waters Edge” will be distributed to 300 people.

10.27.4 Develop and present a program on Shark Awareness and Conservation at the Florida Association of Science Teachers Annual Conference.

10.28 Conduct public education programs in Bay County. (Cameron )

10.28.1 Develop educational programs for teachers, boaters and interested citizens on marine debris, monofilament line recycling, and marine/natural resources.

10.28.2 Work with Extension 4-H agents in the development of marine environmental programs for local clubs. Assist with development and activities at a state marine and county 4-H camps.

10.28.3 Develop marine environmental programs for local K-12 teachers in Bay County.

10.29 Conduct a general marine education program for youth and adults to increase community awareness and protection of coastal and marine environmental resources in Broward County. (Behringer )

10.29.1 Develop and conduct marine educational programs for adults, 4H clubs and K-12 teachers and students.

10.29.2 Coordinate coastal and waterway cleanups and educate participants about the impacts of marine debris on the marine environment.

10.29.3 Implement the Monofilament Recycling and Recovery Project in Broward County and conduct educational programs on the impacts of discarded monofilament and other marine debris.

10.29.4 Increase manatee awareness and boater safety through educational programs.

10.29.5 Develop an online and electronic newsletter on local marine/coastal topics that are distributed to interested citizens.

10.29.6 Maintain and update the Broward County Sea Grant Marine Extension website with relevant marine resource information and educational events.

10.29.7 Provide research and technical support and serve as a judge for the Broward County Public Schools Science Fair.

10.30 Develop new publication “Ahead of the Class: Florida Sea Grant Delivers Marine Education,” that will provide documentation on the formal and nonformal educational activities, resources and services that has been provided over the past several years. (Spranger /Cato /Kearl /Zimmerman )

10.31 Conduct a general marine environmental education program for youth and adults in Northeast Florida. (McGuire )

• Work with Texas SG and Puerto Rico SG to develop monofilament recycling programs.
• Continue to manage monofilament recycling in NE Florida.
• Represent FSG on the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s manatee entanglement and manatee education working groups.
• Help coordinate beach cleanup programs in April and September ( St. Johns County).
• Continue to help state 4-H staff make improvements to the state marine ecology judging event. Work with youth in northeast Florida to prepare them for the competition.
• Teach youth about marine issues as part of summer camps (4-H and non 4-H) in St. Johns and Flagler Counties.
• Conduct workshops for formal and informal educators on marine-related topics.
• Lead field trip at Florida Marine Science Educators Association annual conference.
• Help coordinate and teach a “Kids’ Day” for the First Coast Birding and Nature Festival; lead field trips for the Festival.
• Write monthly articles on marine topics for the Flagler News Tribune newspaper.
• Produce a quarterly newsletter which is distributed to over 750 interested residents. The newsletter includes information about selected marine topics and upcoming marine/coastal events.

10.32 Train 50 Extension Service Master Gardeners about watersheds and water conservation. (McGuire)