September is Environmental Action Month

September is Environmental Action Month

Contributed by Gayle Hoffman

Public Education and Outreach Coordinator, Brevard County Stormwater Utility Department

In an effort to increase the public’s involvement in the protection of our valuable natural resources, Brevard County is partnering with Keep Brevard Beautiful, Inc. and the St. Johns River Water Management District / Indian River Lagoon Program, to promote September 2004 as Environmental Action Month.

There are a number of activities occurring this September that offer Brevard County residents the opportunity to get outside and get involved in different environmental events and projects. After discovering all these great opportunities, we decided it would be worthwhile to coordinate with the agencies hosting these activities in order to increase publicity and avoid potential conflicts in scheduling. If you are hosting an event open to the public involving environmental participation or education, please feel free to give us the details and, if it’s determined to be appropriate, we will include it in our advertising of Environmental Action Month 2004.

The highlight of Environmental Action Month will be the 2nd Annual National Estuaries Day Festival. This event will again be held at Riverview Park in Melbourne, on September 25. In a couple weeks, we will be sending out a flyer and exhibitor registration form. This year we will have a new requirement; all exhibitors must conduct an ongoing hands-on activity. The focus will be on hands-on learning and involvement by the public. Many features of the park can be easily used in a number of different activities, and exhibitors will be stationed around the park to accommodate their activities. Some examples of activities include: kayak or windsurfing demonstrations, snorkeling tours, seining, water quality testing, stormwater demonstrations, native plant demonstrations, various games, touch tanks and more. Start thinking about an innovative way to teach about the work your agency or group does in helping to protect the Indian River Lagoon. More to come soon!

Also, new to Florida!! You are invited to attend the Wonders of Wetlands! workshop on September 18, and the Wonders of Wetlands! facilitator training on September 20. Both classes will be organized and held in Brevard County, FL, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and cost $40 each. Participants will receive the WOW! guidebook and learn how to teach wetlands in the field and in the classroom. For more information, please open and read the attached flyer, and to register, visit www.wetland.org or call (410) 745-9620. We would greatly appreciate any assistance in distributing this flyer to interested educators around the state.

Some of you have also inquired about the district-wide science teacher conference/in-service day at Eau Gallie High School on August 30. This is an opportunity for agencies and non-profit groups to reach approximately 400 K-12 science teachers. If you would like to attend this event and display your opportunities for teachers, or conduct a 45 minute mini-workshop or presentation, please contact Ginger Davis via e-mail at DavisG@brevard.k12.fl.us. Please note this is to share your group’s free resources with teachers; no sales pitches allowed.

Thanks for your attention. We look forward to your involvement in September!