Goal 9: Marine Education: Create a Scientifically and Environmentally Informed Citizens

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

9.1.1 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 )

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

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

9.2 Continue to conduct marine educational programs on monofilament recycling, marine debris, and marine/natural resources for local K-12 teachers in Bay County. (Cameron )

Three hundred fourth grade students will become more knowledgeable about the marine environment by attending the “Ecosystem Explorer” program at the St. Lucie County Marine Center. (Creswell )

9.3 Two hundred seventh grade students will become more knowledgeable about the marine environment by attending the “Ecosystem Explorer” program at the St. Lucie County Marine Center in conjunction with classroom instruction at their schools. (Creswell )

9.4 Two hundred 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, canoeing, and observation. (Creswell )

9.5 Continue bi-weekly radio broadcast “At Home in St. Lucie” (1/2 hour program) discussing topics related to the impacts of coastal development and man’s activities on the marine environment. (Creswell )

• Conduct at least two workshops dedicated to public education of marine invasive species. (Creswell )

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

9.8 Work with Extension 4-H specialists and agents in the development of marine environmental programs for youth. Assist with development and activities at state marine and county 4-H camps. (Diller)

9.9 Develop marine environmental programs for K-12 teachers and youth. Continue writing Resource Rangers video series and developing associated educational programming. (Diller )

9.10 Develop and assist production of website, newsletter, or newspaper articles on local marine/coastal topics that are distributed to interest citizens. (Diller)

9.11 Provide Master Naturalist Program training to interested citizens and continue to develop volunteer program for local Sea Grant extension programs. (Diller , S. Jackson, Verlinde )

• Coordinate with Rookery Bay staff to teach the coastal module of the Florida Master Naturalist program. (Fluech )
• Coordinate with the Collier County Residential Horticulture agent to train 20 Master Gardner volunteers on coastal plant ecology and identification. (Fluech )
• Conduct public education programs for youth and adult audiences to increase community awareness and protection of coastal and marine environmental resources in Collier County: (Fluech )

9.14.1 Continue to manage and work with volunteers to monitor and install monofilament bins and clean line in the county.

9.14.2 Maintain and update a Collier County Sea Grant web page with marine resource information and upcoming events.

9.14.3 Work with extension 4-H specialists, agents and club leaders in developing and teaching marine education programs for 4-H youth at the local and state level.

9.14.4 Coordinate with local agencies to organize guest speakers, set up educational displays and conduct presentations relating to marine/ coastal topics at festivals and events.

9.14.5 Continue to provide marine/coastal related information/ curriculum to formal and informal educators.

9.14.6 Research and write 12 monthly articles dealing with marine and coastal issues for the Marco Island Eagle; daily distribution of 6,000.

9.15 Serve on the GOMA EEN steering committee. (Fluech )

9.16 Continue serving on the GOMA Environmental Education Underserved/ Underrepresented Populations working group. (Fluech )

9.17 Assist with the organization of the FMSEA conference in Naples, FL. Deliver presentations at the FMSEA and FAST conference. (Fluech )

9.18 Develop and conduct marine technology workshops for the Brevard County recreational boater that will provide better awareness of the vessel’s mechanical systems, and lead to better care and maintenance. (Leonard)

9.19 Participate in a weekend boating conference that will provide technical assistance and information to the boaters of Brevard County that will lead to a better recreational experience, and lessen impact on the county’s aquatic resources. (Leonard)

9.20 Research and write at least 40 newspaper columns on a variety of environmental issues and topics. (Mahan )

9.21 Continue to work with the Apalachicola River Basin Invasives Workgroup to establish partnerships and educate elected officials and the general public on environmental problems associated with invasive species. (Mahan )

9.22 Work with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Environmental Education staff to plan, organize and teach a “Seagrass Awareness” program. (Mahan )

9.23 Work with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Environmental Education staff to plan, organize and teach the “Estuaries’ Day” program at the ANERR. (Mahan )

9.24 Teach at least one garden club program on a topic of interest to the club members. (Mahan )

9.25 Work with FL State University faculty & staff to educate the general public about coastal & fisheries management and issues. (Mahan )

9.26 Teach 4-H and other youth programs (including summer camps) relating to marine issues/topics. (McGuire )

9.27 Teach workshops for 4-H marine ecology judging event. (McGuire )

9.28 Conduct teacher workshops including presentation at NMEA, FAST, FMSEA conferences. (McGuire )

9.29 Coordinate and teach Kids’ Day activities for First Coast Birding & Nature Festival (2 days). Serve on planning committee for First Coast Birding and Nature Festival. (McGuire )

9.30 Continue to write monthly articles for Flagler News Tribune. (McGuire )

9.31 Judge at local and regional science fairs. (McGuire )

9.32 Continue to represent FSG on US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Manatee entanglement and manatee education working groups. (McGuire )

9.33 Continue to coordinate monofilament recycling program in NE Florida. (McGuire )

9.34 Teach field trip programs for Coastal Master Naturalist classes. (McGuire)

9.35 Investigate funding sources to expand Georgia’s “Adopt a Wetland” program into NE Florida. (McGuire )

9.36 As part of a four state effort in the Gulf of Mexico, sponsor and conduct informal educator Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) institute. Work with co-P.I.s in other states to coordinate activities, develop governance structure, develop online teacher training, and evaluate project activities (Spranger : COSEE-GOM)

9.37 Conduct public education programs in Charlotte County: (Staugler )

9.37.1 Maintain Charlotte County Marine Extension website.

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

9.37.3 Write marine-related column for quarterly Extension Newsletter.

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

9.37.5 Work with CCA, & U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and 4-H Marine Ecology club to assemble, install land maintain monofilament recycling bins at marinas, ramps and fishing piers within the County.

9.37.6 Help coordinate Coastal Cleanup and derelict crab trap clean up events.

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

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

9.37.9 Work with Stevely to organize the Boca Grande Pass cleanup event.

9.37.10 Distribute 20,000 Boating & Angling Guides.

9.38 Attend and present at various in-service trainings concerning natural resource issues. (Verlinde )

9.39 Provide teacher workshops for the FWC/FMSEA aquatic species collectors permit, Project Learning Tree Energy and the Environment, Project Learning Tree, Invasive species, Project WET and coordinate Statewide 4H Environmental Education Institute for 4H volunteers, leaders and camp staff. (Verlinde )

9.40 Provide coastal information articles to various media outlets. (Verlinde )

9.41 Continue to support, coordinate and develop curriculum and videos for the Resource Ranger Program, and environmental education program for 4-H and students. The program includes curriculum, videos, day camps and field trips about coastal issues. (Verlinde )

9.42 Coordinate the 7 th annual Seagrass Awareness Celebration and 4 th annual Coastal Encounters events. (Verlinde )

9.43 Teach Florida Master Naturalist Program wetlands and coastal modules. (Verlinde )

9.44 Coordinate 22 nd annual NW Florida Rivers Clean-up and International Coastal Clean-up. (Verlinde )

9.45 Develop educational programs for 4-H, teachers, boaters and interested citizens on marine debris, safe boating and monofilament recycling. (Verlinde )

9.46 Provide coastal information and hands-on activities at various environmental events. (Verlinde )

9.47 With Andrew Diller, provide “Sea Turtle Friendly Beaches” program to beach residents. (Verlinde )

9.48 Provide coastal issues talks to various community organizations. (Verlinde )

9.49 Support 4-H marine and county camps. Provide 4-H leaders and teachers with coastal information and opportunities. (Verlinde )

9.50 Work with the GCOOS outreach and education work action group to develop OOS materials for various audiences. (Verlinde )

9.51 Participate as a fellow in the Natural Resource Leadership Institute to develop skills necessary for effective natural resource leadership, communications and conflict resolution. The course consists of 7, 3-day sessions and a practicum will be completed. (Verlinde )

9.52 Serve as Secretary for the National Sea Grant Educators Network to provide minutes of meetings and updates for Sea Grant Marine Educators. (Verlinde )

.53 Work with Panhandle agents and agency representatives to develop a living shorelines program that involves promoting living shoreline alternatives to traditional shoreline practices of seawalls, jetties and riprap. A component of this program includes a “grasses to classes” type program for schools in the Panhandle. (Verlinde)