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Earth Day 2000 |
T his year marked the 30th anniversary of the original Earth Day and Reef Relief participated in a variety of events which celebrated the occasion including the EarthFair 2000 event on the National Mall in Washington DC and various events throughout the Florida Keys.
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| James Taylor(l), Carole King (m) & David Crosby (r) entertain the crowd at the EarthFair 2000 in Washington DC. Photo by Michael Blades |
The largest Earth Day event in the United States was held on Saturday April 22,2000 in Washington DC. This event featured booths and displays from hundreds of organizations focusing on environmental education and awareness. Reef Relief Project Coordinator Michael Blades and volunteer John Cornwell traveled to Washington to represent Reef Relief. The EarthFair was a festival of celebration as well as an expression of global concern featured a solar-powered stage with international entertainment. Over 300,000 people showed up for the event and every piece of printed material that we took was given away.
In the Florida Keys, Reef Relief participated in three different Earth Day events. They included the Earth Day Festivals at both Bahia Honda State Park on April 8,2000 and at John Pennekamp State Park on April 29, 2000. These two parks offered free admission and a variety of activities and entertainment during the celebrations. The third event was held at The Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada on April 22, 2000. This annual event focused on children's hands-on activities which demonstrate environmental themes and promote awareness. Thanks to Joel Biddle, Steve Lecklitner, Werner Grundle & DeeVon Quirolo for their help at the various events.
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| Reef Relief Project Coordinator Michael Blades (l) and volunteer John Cornwell (r) man the Reef Relief booth during EarthFair 2000. |
T he Reef Relief Environmental Center & Store , has been very active during the spring season. Video demonstration talks continue to be given on request to all interested parties who visit our Center & Store. Information requests by mail and e-mail from around the world are responded to each week. In addition, Reef Relief Teacher Kits are sent on request to schools, clubs, colleges, and universities interested in protecting coral reefs.
This spring saw the re-birth of Reef Relief's award winning
Discover Coral Reef Outreach Program. Reef Relief contacted schools in the
Monroe County Public School System and, from March to May, scheduled groups of
students from Key West area schools (accompanied by chaperones and teachers) to visit
to the Reef Relief Environmental Center & Store to receive a video/demonstration/talk
that explain: 1) what coral reefs are, 2) where coral reefs are, 3) what is a coral reef
ecosystem, 4) why coral reefs are important, 5) why coral reefs need protection and 6)
what can be done to save them.
After the talk, students, teachers and Reef Relief staff visited the reef aboard the Discovery Glassbottom Boat Tours. While looking at the reef, students received presentations by the Discovery staff identifying fish, corals, and other marine-life.
For many students, this was the first time they had ever visited the reef. Reef Relief staff then visited the students in their schools. A slide show presentation describing the value of coral reefs, threats to them, and ways they can be saved -- followed by a discussion period, was given. Specially designed educational materials by Reef Relief - Reef Relief Teacher Kits, Coral Reef Guides, and South Florida Water Wonderland Guides were provided free to each class.
Fourth grade students from Key West Area schools from the Monroe County Public Schools that participated were: Sugarloaf, Poincianna, Gerald Adams, Glynn Archer and Sigsbee Elementary Schools. Over 400 students participated this program. A very special thanks to the Discovery Glassbottom Boat Tours for providing over 16 trips (30 students each trip) to the coral reef; the Monroe County Public School System for providing transportation for the students; and to the teachers and chaperones.
To celebrate the First Earth Day 2000, locally, Reef Relief participated in three events: April 8th at Bahia Honda State Park, on April 22nd at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, and on April - at John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo. At Pennekamp I gave a slide presentation on coral reefs and efforts underway to save them. The slide show was based on the We All Live Downstream Side Show that is offered for sale or on a lend-lease program.
From March to April, I also provided slide show presentations at Bahia Honda State Park, Power Squadron, Save-a Turtle Foundation, the Key West Chapter of the Society of University Women, and a series of beach walk presentations for the Elder Hostel as part of the Barry University Outreach Program. All activities centered on providing knowledge about our living coral reef ecosystems and efforts we as a community are providing to save them.
Each year as part of our Discover Coral Reef Outreach Program, Michael Blades, Reef Relief's Program Coordinator, and myself participate in the School-to-Careers Mentoring Program at the Key West High School. This year on April 27th I was pleased to give a special presentation about coral reefs to students in that program.
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Spring is the time for new beginnings The store/gift shop is undergoing some changes in both its appearance and inventory. If you are visitor to our web site you will soon discover that new items have been added and others have been deleted. We hope to make your on-line shopping or direct visits to our store/gift shop a friendly and convenient experience If you are in the Key West area please stop by and view our new, increased inventory of environmental gifts , marine books for children and adults, local artwork, books for children and adults , local artwork, t-shirts, hats , etc. as well as multimedia educational teaching aids. |
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Feature Selection A wonderful CD selection of new music from around the world to make you feel good. Currently in stock: Caribe! Caribe!, Afro Latino, Cape Verde, Cuba, Caribbean Party, World Playground and Reggea from around the world. Other titles available upon request. Cost of the CD is $15.98, plus shipping. Now available online! (Just Click Here to order.) |
