tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12420102445066737432024-02-20T08:53:43.400-08:00The "Stow It-Don't Throw It" ProjectStow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-44619180088280069722016-06-24T08:58:00.001-07:002016-06-24T08:59:03.741-07:00Ocean Conservation Through Art – Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Editors
Note:<i> We are proud to have partnered over
the years with the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs to support young people
interested in using art as a tool to communicate ocean conservation through our
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit program. In this guest blog, Alyssa </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Irizarry shares her personal journey to
her role as program manager with Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, and highlights
outstanding student created art pieces submitted through their annual Ocean
Awareness Student Contest. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
I was a senior in high school, two classmates and I painted a mural on the door
of our marine biology classroom. The mural depicted a cross section of a rocky
seamount and incorporated the many topics we had covered thus far in the
semester. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
mural was not for extra credit, nor did we paint it, necessarily, for fun. As
advanced studio art students, we were given the option of painting the mural
instead<i> </i>of writing a paper, which
provided us with a different opportunity to reflect on our lessons in marine
ecology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">At
first glance, it may seem like the three of us certainly lucked out; however,
the project was not as simple as grabbing a few brushes and tubes of primary
colors. We had to petition the principal for permission to paint on the door, and
we had to create budgets for materials and for time. We had to develop the
mural’s design and in planning, we had to do research on the ecosystem in order
to accurately illustrate it. The assignment reinforced our skills in teamwork,
time management, and research. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Most
importantly, the project showed me that I didn’t need to have an interest in
art <b><i>or</i></b>
in science. The two – together – are a very powerful tool. As an undergrad, I
became very interested in the ways that the arts can be used, specifically, to
communicate environmental conservation. Art can – and should – be harnessed to
inspire a greater appreciation for and a more nuanced understanding of the
natural world – and the many serious issues facing it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My
lifelong interest in the ocean and the arts has taken me from Mexico
(conducting research on sea turtle murals) to The Bahamas (teaching
environmental art)… and to Massachusetts, where I am now the Program Manager at
</span><a href="http://fromthebowseat.org/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, a
Boston-based nonprofit with a mission to inspire and empower the next
generation of ocean caretakers through art, science, and advocacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRK38oGauWCMb0qMmX3ut4tItzGbtuGd-liR9jpDvD8sTocGb-iMXsbsE9HadedMNU-vpJYtSwnbcMEpqQYe2KKMwGgDStErlTUG9g2MT6WcsoGBhK5dRszLTKChaZmn8duEjYMb4KGmP/s1600/Bow+Seat+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRK38oGauWCMb0qMmX3ut4tItzGbtuGd-liR9jpDvD8sTocGb-iMXsbsE9HadedMNU-vpJYtSwnbcMEpqQYe2KKMwGgDStErlTUG9g2MT6WcsoGBhK5dRszLTKChaZmn8duEjYMb4KGmP/s400/Bow+Seat+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><i>“Title,”
by Jonathan Barrera, 2015 Silver Award (High School) Winner in Art</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Each year Bow Seat hosts the </span><a href="http://fromthebowseat.org/contest.php"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ocean Awareness Student Contest</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, which
challenges middle and high school students around the world to<b> communicate the science of pressing ocean
issues through art, poetry, prose, or film</b>. The theme of this year’s
Contest is “Making Meaning of Ocean Pollution,” and we want students to use
their problem-solving skills, creativity, and communication skills to raise
awareness about ocean pollution and to call the world to action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiOGXygMdEjeJGBB0PKJd3wrMnyWzLoMSF_a5Mj-IAvDlq_ngpSiBXc3VzgKpUg-KNujVAfseXN-rGg6SqWrDYBFviQ3rwllzPbphMGSG8avkujRIKJfUx2XjhJloDksom3tzVpxxySx9/s1600/Bow+Seat+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiOGXygMdEjeJGBB0PKJd3wrMnyWzLoMSF_a5Mj-IAvDlq_ngpSiBXc3VzgKpUg-KNujVAfseXN-rGg6SqWrDYBFviQ3rwllzPbphMGSG8avkujRIKJfUx2XjhJloDksom3tzVpxxySx9/s400/Bow+Seat+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I recently attended a lecture
on the impact of shipping and seismic exploration noise on marine wildlife,
whales in particular. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on ocean issues,
but I was blown away at the extent to which we’re polluting our oceans with
noise. You can learn more about noise pollution at </span></i></b><a href="http://www.listenforwhales.org/page.aspx?pid=441"><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">listenforwhales.org</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Last year, the Contest received over 1,100 amazing submissions
from 43 U.S. states and 34 countries. Bow Seat awarded hundreds of prizes to
students and their schools and teachers – more than $80,000 in total! But we
don’t just want the Contest to end at the prize. We also help find exhibition
and publishing opportunities for the winners throughout the year to help them
jumpstart a career in “ARTivism.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We want students to understand art’s potential to motivate action.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The mechanical pencil<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I scratch this poem out with<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Is plastic<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The material of infinite human uses<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Destroying our world’s first gift<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The keys I will use to tap out<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The sad song my pen sings<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Are plastic Used to create a portal
of knowledge<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But will poison and choke Earth’s
greatest miracle<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">An unsuspecting marlin<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Will swallow a splinter of my
pencil<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Poked through the stomach<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wasting away in the deep<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A careless pelican<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Will ingest the keys<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That once typed this poem<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A nefarious alphabet soup<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Excerpt from “</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Indispensable
Devices, Trashed Every Day</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">,” by Connor Webb, 2015 Gold Award (Middle School) in Poetry<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Through reflections and evaluations, we have found that students
who participate in our Contest are often learning about threats to ocean
ecosystems for the first time. The creative outlet for processing new knowledge
makes that information <i>stick</i>, often
resulting in meaningful and long-lasting behavior change within students. In
their own words: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Whenever
I go to the lake or ocean and see trash, rather than just leaving it, I now
pick it up. I used to think it wasn't my responsibility.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I'm
far more conscious of my plastics usage. I make more responsible choices now.
And I advocate more for the oceans and water systems more than ever.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We at Bow Seat believe that
changing our world for the better starts by inspiring youth to vividly imagine
a better future and empowering them to create it themselves. <b>We invite you to learn more about the </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://fromthebowseat.org/contest.php">Ocean
Awareness Student Contest</a> and consider submitting your own entry for next year's contest! </span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Connect
with Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs on </span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FromTheBowSeatDocumentary"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Facebook</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, </span></i><a href="https://twitter.com/fromthebowseat"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Twitter</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, and </span></i><a href="http://instagram.com/fromthebowseat"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Instagram</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-53035371074904285922016-02-12T09:37:00.003-08:002016-03-04T09:12:29.351-08:002015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit mini-grant recipients announced! <div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Each year, students attending our Youth Ocean
Conservation Summits create action plans to tackle marine conservation issues
in their local community. Over the past four years, we’ve been honored to
support these projects by providing mini-grants to help jump start and sustain
these youth-driven ocean conservation campaigns. After our 5th anniversary
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, we’re excited to announce a record number of
mini-grants have been awarded to our participants. These Youth Ocean
Conservation Team mini-grants were made possible with generous support from the
Nature Conservancy’s Gulf of Mexico Program, the Johnson Ohana Charitable
Foundation, Klean Kanteen, From the Bow Seat and funds raised from our 2015
Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival. Read on to learn more about the outstanding
projects being led by our grant recipients: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Keyla Correia</b> and the <b>Plastic Free Mermaids</b> will expand
their plastic pollution efforts by installing a water bottle refill attachment
to their school’s water fountain, and educating their student body on the
importance of reducing single use plastics. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Landon Petrisko</b> will work with his peers and Florida
International University to raise and plant red mangroves to restore coastal
habitat in south Florida. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Alex Gregory </b>will launch his <b>S.S. Shrimp </b>project to raise
awareness among consumers about the impact of shrimp bycatch, encouraging them
to make sustainable seafood purchases.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The National Aquarium’s <b>Aquarium on Wheels program </b>will
host their third annual satellite Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, training
students in Baltimore, MD. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Ethan Mengelt</b>’s roadside cleanup program will engage
community members in organized cleanups along roadways in North Port, FL and
Wisconsin. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Cameron Rogister</b>’s <b>Wilson & Wake County Recycling
Project</b> will engage young people in implementing and leading recycling programs
at Forest Hills Middle School in Wilson, NC and the Boys & Girls Club in
Raleigh, NC.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Morgan Shirley </b>will launch the <b>River Guardians
Afterschool Water Monitoring Project</b> to engage Boys and Girls club members in
Greenville, NC in weekly water quality monitoring activities, and educating
their community about the importance of clean water. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Through her <b>Sarasota Ocean Preservers</b> program, <b>Brooke
Welch</b> will engage students in underwater snorkel cleanups, removing marine
debris from underwater environments off the beaches of Sarasota, FL. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Christian Petrisko</b> will launch a program to utilize
photography to capture images of endangered marine species and those not
frequently photographed. He will use these photos to raise awareness for the
conservation of these animals, and sell prints at local events to raise funds
for conservation efforts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Delaney Farrell</b> will expand her outreach efforts through
her <b>Finformation</b> program, educating students ages 6-18 about shark conservation
through interactive activities and presentations at schools and community
events. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Student leaders from the <b>Big Blue and You</b> will launch <b>T4T:
Transformation 4 Turtles</b>, will work educate students in south Florida about
marine debris prevention, engage young people in beach cleanups, and turn the
trash they find into an art sculpture to display in their community. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Jacob Mohen</b> will work to educate members of his community
about the impacts of plastic pollution on wildlife, and provide them with alternatives
to single use plastic products. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Students in <b>Brevard Zoo</b>’s teen program will coordinate
their annual <b>Youth Environmental Summit </b>which gives youth the tools and
knowledge to become involved with local conservation projects. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Samantha Andrews</b> will launch her <b>Pop It, Don’t Drop It
project</b>, which will utilize a variety of outreach tools to educate community members
about the dangers of releasing helium balloons. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Benjamin Sachs </b>will work with his local Boy Scout Troop
to engage in ongoing water quality/pH monitoring efforts in Broward County to
gain a better understanding of the impact of pollutants on south Florida
aquatic ecosystems. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Ryan Moralevitz</b> will work with his classmates on his<b>
Fishes Wishes Mangrove Nursery Project</b>, which will engage students in growing
mangroves in a vertical garden at their school, and ultimately planting
mangroves back in the marine environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Adam Sachs, Katelyn Higgins, and Elinor Rienzo</b> will also
receive grants of materials for <b>Stow It-Don’t Throw It</b> personal-sized fishing
line recycling bins to engage anglers and boaters in their community in
protecting marine wildlife from fishing line entanglement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> </div>
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<b>In addition to the
students receiving grants after participating in our Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit in Sarasota, FL on November 14 in Sarasota, FL we’re also excited to
award 3 grants to students who attended our first satellite Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit in Long Island, NY on November 21 hosted by Coastal Steward Inc. and New
York Sea Grant:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Students at <b>LeRoy Jr/Sr High School</b> in LeRoy, NY will
launch their <b>Safe Disposal Program</b> to help their local government implement a
safe pharmaceutical collection program. They will also provide information to
the public about the correct disposal of pharmaceuticals by creating an
interactive model and brochures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Sarah Whelan</b> will launch <b>YOU: Youth and Oysters United
</b>to educate young people in her community about water quality and engage them in
oyster restoration projects. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The <b>Environmental Outreach Club</b> at <b>Mount Sanai High
School</b> will educate the student body about the importance of reducing plastics,
and implement efforts to encourage the use of reusable water bottles, while
working to install water bottle refill stations on campus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Congratulations to these young people, and all of our
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit participants for their outstanding ocean
conservation work. Stay tuned for more updates on these projects! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-57883743954188883362015-11-17T17:09:00.001-08:002015-11-17T17:34:02.113-08:005 Years of Empowering the Next Generation of Ocean Conservationists!<div class="MsoNormal">
Five years. Six cities. Hundreds of young people leading
initiatives to protect our blue planet. The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit
program marked its 5<sup>th</sup> anniversary on November 13 and 14 at Mote
Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida where once again the emphasis was on the
important role young people play as leaders in the field of ocean conservation.
The event began Friday evening with the Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival
– a celebration of youth initiatives featuring a showcase of student-led ocean
conservation projects, a silent auction and raffle fundraiser benefiting the
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit program and an exciting line-up of films
including winners of the 2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition, a
tribute to Mote Marine Laboratory Founding Director, Dr. Eugenie Clark, a look
back at five years of the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit program, and <i>Shark Girl</i>, the story of 21 year old
Madison Stewart and her work to save the world’s sharks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Saturday’s Summit brought together over 200 youth and adults
from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, New
Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and Washington State. Video messages by Dr.
Guy Harvey and Wendy Benchley, as well as a keynote presentation from renowned marine
scientist and author Dr. Ellen Prager, kicked off the event – inspiring
participants into action to protect our ocean. Youth Ocean Conservation Summit
alumni took the stage next to share their outstanding ocean conservation work –
initiatives ranging from plastic pollution prevention campaigns and habitat
restoration efforts to the creation of wildlife conservation calendars and a
vertical school garden to raise awareness for water conservation. First time Summit
attendees had the opportunity to work alongside expert mentors from local and
national conservation organizations to plan out their own ocean conservation projects
to protect marine environments in their local communities, while returning
participants took part in the Careers in Ocean Conservation session – learning how
to turn their passion for conservation into a lifelong career. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The remainder of the event allowed Summit attendees to take
part in exciting workshops and sessions designed to equip them with the skills
and resources needed to successfully carry out and expand their ocean
conservation projects. These workshops focused on citizen science and water
quality monitoring, public speaking, filmmaking, oyster reef creation and
habitat restoration, using art to communicate conservation messages,
fundraising, ocean acidification and working with government officials,
organizing public science events, the Stow It-Don’t Throw It Project, and Mote
Marine Laboratory’s spotted eagle ray research and conservation work!
Participants also had a chance to experience the WaterVentures Mobile Learning
Lab which was on display for the 5<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Throughout the weekend, youth participants also had a
chance to network with peers and adult mentors who share a passion for
protecting marine ecosystems. The event wrapped up with an inspiring call to
action video message from Stephanie Arne, host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild
Kingdom! Immediately following the Summit, participants were invited to join
Mote Marine Laboratory’s High School Interns for a special Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit edition of Florida Teen Science Café. This evening event, <i>Trash Talk</i>, connected teen participants
from across Florida and the country with Mote Marine Laboratory Senior
Biologist, <a href="https://mote.org/staff/member/kim-bassos-hull"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Kim
Bassos-Hull</span></a>, Stranding Investigations Program Manager Gretchen
Lovewell, Staff Scientist, Dr. Katie McHugh, and Sarasota Bay Watch Program
Director, Ronda Ryan, for an engaging and informative evening focused on marine
debris, its impacts, and strategies for prevention. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A special thanks
to the incredible participants, presenters, volunteers, sponsors, and Summit
planning team members for their support of this event over the past five years
and their dedication to ocean conservation!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Thank you to our 2015 Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit partners and sponsors: The Nature Conservancy Gulf of
Mexico Program, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, the Wyland Foundation
and Wyland Galleries, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Klean Kanteen,
EarthEcho International, Mote Scientific Foundation, Wild Studies, the Florida
Aquarium, Sarasota Bay Watch, ROI Media, WaterVentures – Florida’s Learning
Lab, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, FLOW Kayak and Paddle Tours, Jim
Abernethy’s SCUBA Adventures, Sebago Watersports Key West, Lost Reef
Adventures, Schooner America, Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe, artist Carly Mejeur,
Gloria Clifford Tropical Island Art, Sobel Designs, the Key West Aquarium,
Mission Blue, Blue Frontier Campaign, and the Fishes Wishes.</i></div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-469959082200296662015-11-07T13:54:00.004-08:002015-11-12T10:35:35.278-08:00Announcing the 2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Festival Winners!<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The annual Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition
engages young people from across the country in sharing ocean conservation
messages through film. Each year, students use this competition as an
opportunity to highlight important conservation issues and emphasize the
importance of taking action to protect marine environments and their
inhabitants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This year, we received many great entries and our excited
to announce the winners of the 2015 competition: </div>
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<b>Elementary School:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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“Sea Kids Make a Difference” – by Ryan M.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Take 10 for Turtles” – by Landon P., Trent T., and
Stephen S.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Middle School:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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“Oysters – Canaries in the Coal Mine” – by Isabella G. and Lauren E.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The Real Shark Attack” – by Derek P., Brian W., and
Taylor B.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>High School:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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“The Jetty: A Documentary” – by Brooke W. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Man and Manatee” – by Christian P., Lilly T., and Molly
P.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our 2015 winning films will be screened to the public
during our Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival on Friday, November 13 at
6:30pm at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL. This event is free but
seating is limited so be sure to RSVP at: <o:p></o:p><a forcediv="true" forceinline="true" href="http://bit.ly/1M9z34i" original_target="http://bit.ly/1m9z34i" rel="nofollow" saprocessedanchor="true" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://bit.ly/1M9z34i</span></a></div>
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<b>We would also like
to recognize the following Honorable Mentions from this year’s competition:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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“Better Days” – by Leah F.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“From Oceans to Beaches” – by Katherine C. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A big thanks to all of our Youth Ocean Conservation Film
Competition participants for their dedication and commitment to protecting
marine ecosystems!<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-79563745148904141292015-03-09T10:53:00.001-07:002015-03-09T10:53:12.768-07:002014 Seattle Youth Ocean Conservation Summit mini-grant recipients announced!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On December
6, teens from the Seattle Aquarium brought the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit
program to the west coast of the U.S. for the first time! Through this event,
over 100 attendees worked to plan a variety of ocean conservation projects.
Thanks to support from Disney and the Seattle Aquarium, we were able to offer
mini-grants to support the student-driven ocean conservation projects planned by
summit participants. This year’s grant recipients are: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- Through his
initiative <b>“The Plastic Project”, Eli
Fonseca</b> will educate his classmates and community members on the impacts of
marine debris and plastic pollution, and organize local coastal cleanups in the
Seattle region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- Through <b>Sustainable Salmon Solutions</b>, <b>Blake Toney</b> will monitor water quality
in the streams around Gig Harbor and use the data collected to educate the
public on the human impacts on salmon populations, and other wildlife in this
region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- Jolie Elliott</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> will work on coral restoration
efforts in the Riviera Maya Mexico area and will carry out an independent
research project on these reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- Abigail Welter</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> will work with local Girl Scouts on
a battery recycling campaign, first educating members of her community about
the importance of proper battery disposal to prevent chemicals from entering
the environment, and then providing bags to aid in battery disposal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- Matthew Benedict’s Environmental
Change Creators </span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">project
will work to teach middle school students about conservation and environmental
stewardship through an after school nature club. Activities the club carries
out will include nature hikes, litter cleanups, and wilderness survival
training with the goal of connecting students to the natural world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Congratulations
to all of our grant recipients! We’re looking forward to seeing the results of
your work! <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-87685926393675972352015-02-03T07:21:00.002-08:002015-02-03T20:41:22.862-08:002014 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit mini-grant recipients announced!<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Each year we are honored to be able to support innovative
youth-driven ocean conservation projects emerging from our Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit event with mini-grants to help fund these initiatives! This
year, thanks to support from Disney, the Johnson-Ohana Charitable Foundation,
and funds raised from our 2014 Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival,
we were able to fund twelve projects planned by students attending our Summit
on November 8, 2014. This year’s grant recipients are:</div>
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<b>Delaney Farrell</b> will continue to teach students in
elementary through high school about shark conservation through interactive
outreach presentations as part of her <b>Finformation </b>program.</div>
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<b>Derek, Landon, and Christian Petrisko</b> will work to create
a fundraiser to support marine conservation work by creating a calendar
highlighting marine environments and organisms through compelling photos. They
will also work to engage K-12 students in a mangrove re-planting initiative.</div>
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Through her <b>Green Team Project</b>, <b>Paris Shewfelt</b> will
coordinate education programs focused on the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary and will engage tourists and community residents in coastal cleanup
initiatives. </div>
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<b>Monica Henry and Shelby Graziani</b> will team up with the <b>Florida
Oceanographic Society </b>to launch their <b>Stash It and Trash It</b> campaign with the
goal of creating a beach ambassador program to increase marine debris awareness
and inspire environmental stewardship. Through this project the will also
coordinate community beach cleanups, school/community outreach presentations,
and marine debris data collection. </div>
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<b>Brooke Welch</b> and her <b>Ocean Preservers</b> program will work
to protect marine wildlife from fishing line entanglement by working to engage
students in assembling and distributing 200 personal-sized fishing line
recycling bins through the <b>Stow It-Don’t Throw It Project</b>. </div>
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<b>Nicole Stevens</b> will work with her fellow students at
<b>Berkeley Preparatory School</b> to build a vertical garden at their school in order
to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and sustainable gardening.</div>
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<b>Destiny Treloar</b> will launch the <b>Reef Resurrection</b> program
to raise awareness through education about the issues faced in the oceans, particularly
marine debris. To accomplish this they will collaborate with <b>South Africa's Two
Oceans Aquarium Young Biologist Program</b> to organize cleanups within their
community, and then turn the trash into art projects for the severity of the
issues.</div>
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<b>Elinor Rienzo</b> will launch her <b>Trash Stash </b>program to create
reusable, personal-sized trash bags that will allow individuals to store their
trash so it doesn’t accidentally enter the environment. Her efforts will work
to prevent the issue of marine debris at its source. </div>
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<b>Keyla Correia </b>will launch the <b>Plastic Free Mermaids</b> project
by working with fellow students to highlight the dangers of plastics in the
ocean through virtual presentations to classes and engage students in cleanup
efforts. This project also plans to build a great white shark sculpture from
marine debris collected.</div>
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<b>Deja Golder</b> and the <b>National Aquarium’s Aquarium on Wheels</b>
program will launch the <b>Drain Savers</b> project to educate students in Baltimore,
MD about water quality and mark storm drains in the city to help prevent runoff
and trash from entering the surrounding water ways. They will also work to
organize city cleanups to help address this issue. </div>
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<b>Mikaela Groomes’ We-Cycle</b> project will work to create a
recycling program to prevent marine debris and provide places for disposal of
fishing line near boat ramps and piers. She will also work to organize cleanup
events and create educational outreach materials to teach students about marine
debris prevention. </div>
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Congratulations to all recipients and a special thanks to you, and all of our Summit participants for your work to protect marine ecosystems! Additional grant awards will be announced shortly for participants who attended the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit at the Seattle Aquarium!</div>
Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-15627096887746077962014-11-10T18:07:00.001-08:002014-11-17T19:40:20.821-08:00Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Empowers Students to Save the Ocean! <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The ocean needs young people now. That was the message to
the 200+ youth and adults attending our fourth annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit
on Saturday, November 8<sup>th</sup>, at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota,
FL. Our largest Summit to date, this annual event is designed to empower youth
participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources to successfully launch
ocean conservation projects in their local communities. Youth and adult
participants from 10 states attended the event, which was kicked off by an inspiring
keynote from Steve Culbertson, President and CEO of Youth Service America, who
share with participants 4 reasons why the ocean needs youth ASAP. Steve’s
passion for youth leadership, service, and ocean conservation came together in
his powerful and inspiring message to participants. The event continued with outstanding
presentations by past Youth Ocean Conservation Summit participants who shared
their work over the past year on ocean conservation initiatives in their local
communities. Student attendees then had the chance to work on action plans for their
own ocean conservation projects with the help of expert mentors from across the
country, and take part in a session focused on careers in ocean conservation.
Throughout the remainder of the event, participants attended workshop sessions
designed to empower them with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully
implement and/or expand ocean conservation projects in their communities. These
workshops included topics such as fundraising, social media marketing, using
art to promote ocean conservation, working with government officials, exploring
ocean conservation issues, film making, grant writing, and a panel session
featuring young students taking on ocean conservation issues in their communities.
Thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory and the New York Aquarium, select Summit
sessions were streamed live for the first time to students watching in Coney
Island, NY! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout the day Summit participants had the opportunity
to network with other youth and adults from across the country who are
passionate about ocean conservation, and connect with organizations working to
protect marine ecosystems. The Summit ended with an inspiring “Call to Action”
message from long time event supporter, singer/song-writer Jack Johnson!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Immediately following the Summit, the third annual Community
Ocean Conservation Film Festival provided an additional avenue to raise awareness
about ocean conservation issues, and the work of young people in the field of
ocean conservation, to a greater community audience. This year’s event featured
a silent auction and raffle fundraiser to help fund the student-driven ocean
conservation project planned at the Summit, a screening of the winning films
from our 2014 Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival, a screening of the
inspiring short film Cabo Pulmo highlighting a marine conservation success story,
and the featured presentation – <i>Mission Blue</i>,
the powerful story of Dr. Sylvia Earle and her mission to save the ocean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 2014 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit weekend wrapped up
with an exploration of Sarasota Bay featuring hands on seining, marine life
observation, and kayaking experiences led by the staff from the Loxahatchee
River Center and FLOW Kayak and Paddle Tours!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout the year, the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit
participants will be connected to additional resources and support for their conservation
work through our Youth Ocean Conservation Team network. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A special thanks to the incredible participants, presenters,
volunteers, sponsors, and Summit planning team members for their inspiring
commitment to ocean conservation! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to the 2014
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit partners and sponsors: Mote Marine Laboratory,
the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, Disney, Wyland Galleries, Wyland Foundation,
Youth Service America, Mission Blue, Jim Abernethy’s SCUBA Adventures, SeaWorld
Parks and Entertainment, FLOW Kayak and Paddle Tours, Wild Studies, Liz Arme Realty, Cheeca
Lodge and Spa, United by Blue, Klean Kanteen, Mote Scientific Foundation,
Artist Ryan Sobel, SUP Sarasota, Loxahatchee River Center, ROI Media, The
Nature Conservancy, Sarasota Bay Watch, the Florida Aquarium, SCUBAnauts
International, Blue Frontier Campaign, The Fishes Wishes, Gloria Clifford –
Tropical Island Art, Carly Mejeur Art, Robert Johnson Art, Event Step and Repeat, the Pulse Team,
Florida Oceanographic Society, Spunco Films, Sarasota Fins, Ben Hicks Art and
Design, Jordan Holm, From the Bow Seat, Ringling College of Art and Design, the
New York Aquarium, and Ocean GEMS.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-74897725108475588212014-08-02T12:28:00.002-07:002014-08-02T12:28:47.404-07:00The Stow It-Don't Throw It Freshwater Initiative in Hawkinsville, Georgia<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">
<i>- Guest blog submitted by Jannah Brown, Georgia Coordinator for the Stow It-Don't Throw It Project. </i></div>
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When I learned that fishing line takes over 600 years to decompose and that it is threatening our water supply, I wanted to personalize the Stow It, Don't Throw It Project and begin the first freshwater initiative of the project's kind. Over the past two years, I have dedicated countless hours to the Stow It, Don't Throw It Project in rural Georgia, where I focus on water quality. This involved educating the public on the dangers of monofilament fishing line, distributing personal sized recycling bins, donating large PVC recycling bins, and making efforts to expand the project to neighboring areas.</div>
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Not only have I expanded the project to over 1,400 square miles in Georgia (four counties including: Pulaski, Crisp, Dodge and Houston), I have also distributed 878 personal sized recycling bins and manage 9 PVC bins at public fishing areas. From my efforts, I have collected 7 pounds 6 ounces (calculated to 33.5 miles) of fishing line which I have sent to the Berkley Conservation Institute. I feel confident that I have made an impact in my community and have improved water quality of the Ocmulgee River. </div>
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After introducing the project to Pulaski County, I wanted to form an after school program to teach conservation and water quality lessons to school aged children. My club is called R.E.E.L. (Ready to Engage in Environmental Learning) Club. I have gained 70 members who help assemble both personal sized and PVC recycling bins, learn ways to personally protect freshwater, and assist with community service projects. I have visited classrooms at the Pulaski Public Schools and outreached to over 400 students, ranging from pre-k to middle school. I educated the importance of recycling monofilament and each child was given their very own recycling bin to take home and properly dispose their fishing line. </div>
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By volunteering, being interviewed on television and radio shows, writing newspaper articles, and being a voice in the community, I have outreached to well over 700,000 individuals. My personal goals are to collect over 100 miles of fishing line before I graduate high school, continue educating the public on the dangers of fishing line, distribute more recycling bins to citizens and public fishing areas, and to see the Stow It, Don't Throw It Project recognized on a national level. I have been awarded grants for the expansion of the Project and two college scholarships for my efforts with conservation and recycling. I am very honored to be a part of the Stow It, Don't Throw It Project and I hope I have inspired others to not only recycle fishing line, but to find additional needs in their communities, get involved and truly make a difference. </div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-7392640023150768682014-06-16T14:34:00.000-07:002014-06-16T14:34:13.408-07:00North Port Youth Learn Responsible Fishing Practices<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday, June 14<sup>th</sup>, the Stow It-Don’t Throw
It Project teamed up with the City of North Port’s annual Kids Fishing Clinic
and Tournament to help raise awareness about the importance of fishing line
recycling and marine debris prevention. Young people attending this event had the
opportunity to participate in a variety of stations to learn responsible
fishing techniques and ways to protect marine and aquatic environments. During the event, students visited our station
to learn about fishing line recycling, and assemble their own personal-sized
fishing line recycling bins. Over 160 recycling bins were assembled by the
youth attending. They also received fishing poles and gear for their
participation. A special thanks to the City of North Port for allowing us to be
part of this special event!</div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-74958575789305906542014-05-26T08:09:00.002-07:002014-05-27T17:32:43.051-07:00The Stow It-Don't Throw It Project Comes to Alaska! <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
The
Pribilof Islands are a remote group of volcanic islands in the Bering Sea,
about 200 miles north of the Aleutian Chain, and about 500 miles southeast from
the Russian coast. Check out where we are on the map: <a href="http://seabirdyouth.org/pribilof-islands/">http://seabirdyouth.org/pribilof-islands/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Two of
these islands are home to Aleut populations. <span style="color: #1c1c1c; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Read more about the history of the Pribilof Islands
and the importance of the fur-seal on our website: </span><a href="http://seabirdyouth.org/pribilof-islands/">http://seabirdyouth.org/pribilof-islands/</a>
St. Paul has a population of about 480, and St. George has a population of
about 100, and there is a school on both islands. The school on St. George Island only has 11
students! <span style="color: #1c1c1c; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The
Pribilof Islands have exceptional wildlife. A good proportion of the
world’s population of Northern Fur Seals breed here during the summer months,
and an estimated 2.8 million seabirds nest on the islands. Imagine the
sound, action, and smell with that many fur seals and seabirds! Seabird species
include Common Murres, Thick-billed Murres, Red-legged Kittiwakes, Black-legged
Kittiwakes, Horned Puffins, Tufted Puffins, Least Auklets, Parakeet Auklets,
and Crested Auklets. </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: justify;">Common Murres in the Pribilof Islands </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: justify;">© Ram Papish </span></div>
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The Pribilof Island Seabird Youth Network
(SYN) is a partnership between the Pribilof School District, Tribal entities,
the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and the wider scientific
community. The overall goal of SYN is to learn about seabirds and contribute to
long-term seabird monitoring while providing new experiences and encouraging
the scientific interests and self-confidence of local school kids. </div>
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Lessons about seabirds are incorporated into the school curriculum, and summer Seabird Camps are held on the islands. We have a project website <a href="http://www.seabirdyouth.org/">www.seabirdyouth.org</a> and students have made two documentaries that will show you more about the communities and the Seabird Network: <a href="http://www.seabirdyouth.org/project-videos">www.seabirdyouth.org/project-videos</a><br />
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This summer we’re holding a Seabird Camp on
St. Paul Island. One of the main focuses
for the camp will be Marine Debris. We’ll
learn about the risks of marine debris to seabirds and what marine debris
washes up on the Pribilof Islands. We’re hoping to do some beach cleanup,
create some unique marine debris art, conduct an experiment on <span style="color: #1a1a1a;">degradation of plastic pellets in the harbor</span>, and
work with the “Stow-it, don’t throw it” group to make some containers for the
safe disposal of fishing line. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are no tennis courts on the Pribilof
Islands, and tennis balls are rare.
There is no shortage of coffee though, and we’ll be using plastic Folger
coffee cans for our fishing-line containers. Commercial and most subsistence
fishing from the islands target halibut, with heavier rope used instead of
fishing line. Fishing poles and line are
used off the harbor in town to catch flounders, small cod, greenling and
rockfish, and so we will be placing our coffee can containers here. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: justify;">Students on St. Paul Island collecting empty coffee containers </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: justify;">to convert into fishing line recycling bins</span></div>
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We’ll be posting daily blog posts during camp
(July) so you can follow our progress with the coffee can project. And, we’re really excited to work with the Stow It-Don't Throw It Project to learn more about marine debris issues and
prevention programs around the States. </div>
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<div class="Level1" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i>- Submitted by Ann Harding, Lead Principal Investigator for the Seabird Youth Network. </i> <o:p></o:p></div>
Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-65823587951056973942014-05-09T08:22:00.002-07:002014-05-09T08:22:53.909-07:00Casey Sokolovic brings the Stow It-Don't Throw It Project to North Carolina!<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Over the past year, Casey Sokolovic, the
16 year old founder of Help them L.A.S.T. – Love A Sea Turtle has played a key
role in bringing the Stow It-Don’t Throw It Project to the coast of North
Carolina in an effort to protect sea turtles, and other marine wildlife from
fishing line entanglement, while teaching students about the importance of
marine debris prevention. Help them L.A.S.T. is an organization dedicated to
preserving the world’s sea turtle population, inspiring youth to become
involved, and provides free outdoor STEM-focused summer camps for local Boys
& Girls Clubs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Casey has incorporated the <st1:city w:st="on">Stow</st1:city> It-Don’t Throw It Project into her educational
outreach work around sea turtles, and makes presentations to students of all
ages in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:state>,
while engaging them in the assembly and distribution of personal-sized fishing
line recycling bins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since the beginning of 2013, Casey has
involved Boys & Girls Club members, high school and college students, summer campers, and diverse group of youth and adult volunteers in the assembly
and distribution of over 4,000 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins! She’s
also worked with local tennis clubs to help collect and repurpose tennis ball
containers for use in this effort. Additionally, Casey has worked with local
Dick’s Sporting Goods Stores, Walmart stores, and dive shops, as well as
environmental organizations, to distribute these recycling bins to anglers and
boaters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Casey and the volunteers she works with
insert sustainable seafood guides into the completed recycling bins to remind
those who receive them of sustainable seafood choices available and options to
avoid because of overfishing. Additionally, students write notes and draw
pictures that are included with the bins explaining their purpose and the importance
of fishing line recycling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We’re greatly appreciative of the
fantastic work of Casey and the youth and adults who have assisted with her
efforts! Keep up the great work!</span></div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-57025006092874522062014-04-13T13:39:00.000-07:002014-04-13T13:39:52.426-07:00Join us at Turtle Beach for a Coastal Cleanup!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 15pt;">On Saturday, April 26</span><sup style="line-height: 15pt;">th</sup><span style="line-height: 15pt;">, at 9am, join the </span><st1:city style="line-height: 15pt;" w:st="on">Stow</st1:city><span style="line-height: 15pt;"> It-Don’t Throw It Project for a coastal cleanup at </span><st1:placename style="line-height: 15pt;" w:st="on">Turtle</st1:placename><span style="line-height: 15pt;"> </span><st1:placetype style="line-height: 15pt;" w:st="on">Beach</st1:placetype><span style="line-height: 15pt;">
</span><st1:placetype style="line-height: 15pt;" w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype><span style="line-height: 15pt;"> in </span><st1:place style="line-height: 15pt;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Sarasota</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">FL</st1:state></st1:place><span style="line-height: 15pt;">!
This volunteer event is being held in honor of our partnership with Jack
Johnson for his 2014 From Here to Now to You Tour, and in conjunction with </span><i style="line-height: 15pt;">All at Once</i><span style="line-height: 15pt;">, a</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 15pt;"> social action network connecting nonprofits with people
who want to become active in their local and world community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you’re able to attend this event, please RSVP by sending an e-mail to <a href="mailto:info@stowitdontthrowitproject.org">info@stowitdontthrowitproject.org</a>.
Cleanup materials will be provided however participants are encouraged to bring
their own gloves and filled reusable water bottles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks
in advance for your interest and dedication to helping keep marine environments
free of debris! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-45760869357977825962014-04-04T12:52:00.002-07:002014-04-04T12:52:45.337-07:00Help Raise Awareness about Marine Debris Prevention for Global Youth Service Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho03IHNpvRc_Qe3wa20DBbXvChsvWwwxVeksc9E2KAm93CFMBY0HNPJa7G5Bh04lCllrJHKVHmy_SxoEAEfDC_K7wz-1-xJcHJOwm_OMxvw6erIFx9mvALI8k8eA2tBqwz_lGxwLcHvGAv/s1600/GYSD2014_logo_cmyk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho03IHNpvRc_Qe3wa20DBbXvChsvWwwxVeksc9E2KAm93CFMBY0HNPJa7G5Bh04lCllrJHKVHmy_SxoEAEfDC_K7wz-1-xJcHJOwm_OMxvw6erIFx9mvALI8k8eA2tBqwz_lGxwLcHvGAv/s1600/GYSD2014_logo_cmyk.gif" height="113" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKnuTNXmJYk6dtYJjIPeyrvcbzCH-67COr8IBLQ6s1aDApeVA6e0_cE5MT_JPL25tyDlIcwR0qbu9eyRdu8YY9nmhYNdaZGHkJBi8GnJffct1Hpwx_CV6lY6910Vv6Smc5AXx6sq4Ff9t/s1600/Croatan+High+School+GYSD+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKnuTNXmJYk6dtYJjIPeyrvcbzCH-67COr8IBLQ6s1aDApeVA6e0_cE5MT_JPL25tyDlIcwR0qbu9eyRdu8YY9nmhYNdaZGHkJBi8GnJffct1Hpwx_CV6lY6910Vv6Smc5AXx6sq4Ff9t/s1600/Croatan+High+School+GYSD+2013.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a>Around the world, marine debris poses a serious threat to
our planet’s ocean environments. On April 11-13 in honor of Global Youth Service Day, the <st1:city w:st="on">Stow</st1:city>
It-Don’t Throw It Project is recruiting youth and adults, around the world, to
raise awareness about this pressing issue by sharing our educational outreach
presentation. This presentation, and accompanying activity book, is designed
for both youth and adults to use to teach community members about marine
debris, its impacts, and the importance of preventing it. </div>
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As part of this
campaign, we need YOUR help to share this presentation at your schools,
libraries, club meetings and/or community events during Global Youth Service
Day April 11-13, 2014, and throughout the year! In addition to sharing this
presentation in your community, consider working to take action against by
holding a cleanup, carrying out a recycling campaign, or finding creative ways
to use discarded items! </div>
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Want to get involved? Send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:info@stowitdontthrowitproject.org">info@stowitdontthrowitproject.org</a> to
sign-up to share this presentation in your community and help take action to
protect marine environments, and their inhabitants, from the threat of debris! </div>
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<br />Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-91494367612741184572013-11-22T08:19:00.001-08:002013-11-22T12:11:34.046-08:00Annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit and Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival a Huge Success<div class="MsoNormal">
Youth and adults from eight states and <st1:city w:st="on">Washington</st1:city>
<st1:state w:st="on">D.C.</st1:state> came together at Mote Marine Laboratory
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Sarasota</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place>, on Friday, November 15<sup>th</sup>
and Saturday November 16<sup>th</sup>, to take part in two annual events
designed with a one common goal in mind – the protection of our planet’s ocean
through the support of ocean conservation projects. </div>
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Attendees at Friday night’s Community Ocean Conservation
Film Festival were treated to an evening showcasing the work of youth, as well
as veterans, involved in ocean conservation work and were inspired by a night
of films featuring youth driven ocean conservation messages and by the ocean
conservation work of wounded combat veterans featured in the newly released
film, <i>Operation Blue Pride. </i>This film
tells the moving story of three severely wounded combat veterans who have begun
a quest to save the ocean and by doing so have saved themselves. Shark
conservationist Jim Abernethy introduced the film and presented his work with
the Operation Blue Pride Program. The event also featured keynote speaker,
Justin Riney of Expedition Florida 500 who shared stories from his year-long
journey paddle boarding <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>’s coastlines
and inland waterways while raising awareness about the importance of protecting
<st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place>’s
marine ecosystems. Funds generated from Film Festival ticket sales and a silent
auction and raffle fundraiser will help fund the work of student led
conservation projects emerging from this year’s Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit. </div>
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Organized by the Stow It – Don’t Throw It Marine Debris
Prevention Project and Mote Marine Laboratory, the Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit, is designed to provide young people with the knowledge, skills, and
support needed to launch their own ocean conservation projects to address
marine conservation issues in their local communities. This year’s summit was
attended by over 190 youth and adult representatives from Florida, Illinois, Louisiana,
Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Keynote
speaker Justin Riney inspired youth with stories of his adventures paddle boarding
Florida’s waterways and encouraged youth participants to follow their own
pathways and make a difference for our planet. Additionally, past Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit participants inspired attendees by sharing their ocean
conservation project work. Speakers and presenting organizations at the summit
included Debra Kerr of YouthMuse, The Pulse Team, Mote Marine Laboratory and
Aquarium, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, L.O.V.E. a Sea Turtle, EarthEcho
International, International Ocean Institute – USA, BLUE Ocean Film Festival,
Jim Abernethy’s SCUBA Adventures, Ryan Sobel Art, Professor Clark the Science
Shark, and the Canterbury School of Florida. </div>
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Youth-driven ocean conservation projects emerging from this
year’s summit include initiatives focused on raising awareness about ocean
acidification, marine debris prevention education and participation in beach
cleanup programs. Other youth initiatives include projects aimed reducing
plastic bag use, projects focused on manatee, shark, and sea turtle conservation,
the adoption of boat ramps, and ways to reduce the number of cigarette butts
deposited on local beaches. Financial support for these projects will come from
mini-grants made possible by revenue generated at this year’s Community Ocean
Conservation Film Festival as well as funds provided by our event sponsors. </div>
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At this year’s event, an exciting announcement was made
about our newest initiative to expand the reach of this program to youth across
the country through the launch of a series of satellite Youth Ocean
Conservation Summits. The first of these will be planned and implemented by
students from the National Aquarium’s Aquarium on Wheels program and will take place
in Annapolis, MD in July of 2014. Additional details about this effort will be
available shortly!</div>
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Work at the 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit culminated
with a call to action video message featuring Mote Marine Laboratory Founder
and Director Emeritus, Dr. Eugenie Clark, President and CEO of Youth Service
America, Steve Culbertson, co-founder of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards and
ocean conservation advocate, Wendy Benchley, and President and CEO of EarthEcho
International, Philippe Cousteau. </div>
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<i>A special thanks to
our partners at Mote Marine Laboratory and the 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit sponsors: Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, the Johnson Ohana
Charitable Foundation, the Wyland Foundation, Wyland Galleries, Mote Scientific
Foundation, SeaWorld/Busch Gardens, the International Ocean Institute – USA, Jim
Abernethy’s SCUBA Adventures, ROI media, Klean Kanteen, United by Blue, realtor Liz
Arme, EarthEcho International, FLOW Kayak and Paddle Tours, artist Ryan Sobel, the
Florida Aquarium, Loxahatchee River Center, Expedition Florida 500, Operation:
Blue Pride, Paradise Pops, Shark Whisperer Organization, Suncoast Print
Solutions, The Fishes Wishes, Liquid Art Designs, and Robert Johnson fine art.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attendees learning about youth-driven ocean conservation projects at the 2013 Community Ocean Conservation Film festival. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants preparing for the kick-off of the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit weekend with a screening of Operation: Blue Pride. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarasota Bay Watch educational exhibit at the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants receiving educational material on ocean conservation opportunities. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-WRzLoHdl7v8DZw91BtXYxH52ITfAJx1QMYFU6aIWGkglSzSmWdkQo9BzK8XMFxGIn4Uf-KbG87wePt9c2R8pudzZKKrpTyXvcwyW1Bejp8eCesa5kH8jY6-s39579Bem35oQAdPzEzp/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-WRzLoHdl7v8DZw91BtXYxH52ITfAJx1QMYFU6aIWGkglSzSmWdkQo9BzK8XMFxGIn4Uf-KbG87wePt9c2R8pudzZKKrpTyXvcwyW1Bejp8eCesa5kH8jY6-s39579Bem35oQAdPzEzp/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keynote speaker Justin Riney shares his adventures on Expedition Florida 500 and tells participants to, "Live with a passionate curiosity."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxpMEcXLO9LunkXx2AIWIuFX3pWUzjsSDL93ATzXr9vZxO8CMo81egtNjMNc8UB3-piko5jaAWnt2xM5-7uKuDsncqrw-_s6An0I3UG-CvZ6rKeey2oKexlC5HEEIVR6VM98VL3MF0Xqn/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxpMEcXLO9LunkXx2AIWIuFX3pWUzjsSDL93ATzXr9vZxO8CMo81egtNjMNc8UB3-piko5jaAWnt2xM5-7uKuDsncqrw-_s6An0I3UG-CvZ6rKeey2oKexlC5HEEIVR6VM98VL3MF0Xqn/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+141.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teens from Baltimore, MD and the National Aquarium's Aquarium on Wheels program sharing their ocean conservation work. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over 190 youth and adults attended the summit from 8 states and Washington D.C.!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants learning about "Careers in Ocean Conservation". </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students from Broward County Florida prepare an action plan for their ocean conservation project. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHq0vOuRtJoT4d8MpDQD1Nk1wZdesU9KepeDDHgIvPIip7LsNJJ0kHpKMsc_gf1QGVUFBJOIh1IDqhbTSJ6X_4Gyr5oc0_UXkm87rQn04omDmOcZUraRR4x2k9LZHCY-LZNe-YwYoD97p/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHq0vOuRtJoT4d8MpDQD1Nk1wZdesU9KepeDDHgIvPIip7LsNJJ0kHpKMsc_gf1QGVUFBJOIh1IDqhbTSJ6X_4Gyr5oc0_UXkm87rQn04omDmOcZUraRR4x2k9LZHCY-LZNe-YwYoD97p/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 19px;">Deb Kerr of YouthMuse speaks to summit participants about making a bigger difference with a better message.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5s0a4mMk71RI8wYHcbE3bMJU3peJtXDsT6aeQpREQJ4F24nbOnv9FUgOCLgNtb4WIwEYjUjHdmEif0PY2lYxV_NTuHNOyKu-F2iOMrRmC30sdVZR4i7bHlcdfqxFdIP95MtCdUrHfNrb/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5s0a4mMk71RI8wYHcbE3bMJU3peJtXDsT6aeQpREQJ4F24nbOnv9FUgOCLgNtb4WIwEYjUjHdmEif0PY2lYxV_NTuHNOyKu-F2iOMrRmC30sdVZR4i7bHlcdfqxFdIP95MtCdUrHfNrb/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+242.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deborah Kinder, CEO/Executive Director of the Blue Ocean Film Festival leads a workshop on the power of great films to change the world. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnJQV2KoMHwv4kFlI67xiW6k8dHrwnSqNIntJRowfyJjttETwXwpnshgatJKLlHNqsTFeOCos3LC5-g1PcMm5tPxQKCdTznesDpF1hAfcXuecBFcrlDBc5r8qPvR8sUvQSYAVufKBql5o/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnJQV2KoMHwv4kFlI67xiW6k8dHrwnSqNIntJRowfyJjttETwXwpnshgatJKLlHNqsTFeOCos3LC5-g1PcMm5tPxQKCdTznesDpF1hAfcXuecBFcrlDBc5r8qPvR8sUvQSYAVufKBql5o/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+253.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacey Rafalowski of EarthEcho International shares EarthEcho Expeditions and the use of Public Service Announcements as tools to communicate ocean conservation messages. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFDxxOV52nqRzHhfTEszeK-xlHGjigWPr5zUymCvsj9llKWXBIAgqcBDu_tTtia_eRCKDkZNlkn0SJV8X7cNBmOOfzgpkgs8GuBHFaiqE6-1RYPjpNYHi8_9NjsHL3R3vOZ3PPUTrMIXm/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFDxxOV52nqRzHhfTEszeK-xlHGjigWPr5zUymCvsj9llKWXBIAgqcBDu_tTtia_eRCKDkZNlkn0SJV8X7cNBmOOfzgpkgs8GuBHFaiqE6-1RYPjpNYHi8_9NjsHL3R3vOZ3PPUTrMIXm/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Ryan Sobel speaks to students about using art as tool to share their ocean conservation projects and messages. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jvIOCJlrV_F9IKvb_s-BjQNyqmOyfcWOqMxY4U6EMNUIHmPxIH4Cv0TUowX5g0SF6Ii2zE-yUPVOHGBa7-kUewzSM5CYXcBn7yRS3CixdAt-p-6U5gLrbVZX2_XZMfRJ7aQg6HW_N5Si/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jvIOCJlrV_F9IKvb_s-BjQNyqmOyfcWOqMxY4U6EMNUIHmPxIH4Cv0TUowX5g0SF6Ii2zE-yUPVOHGBa7-kUewzSM5CYXcBn7yRS3CixdAt-p-6U5gLrbVZX2_XZMfRJ7aQg6HW_N5Si/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+326.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lights, Camera, Action - students prepare to plan and film public service announcements about their newly planned ocean conservation projects.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFmBB76qWEBECUcJ2SHMkmpvli4P-AjOdsOgaGBRYH3i96WEBwQmwr2D60-6m4DtGY6cv2ZzYu229T87Wr9TZvT_zZwXxyKFJM0JZIWqiZgvZpZzxopT-StwxX36KilFmZR7l_yF_NX4U/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFmBB76qWEBECUcJ2SHMkmpvli4P-AjOdsOgaGBRYH3i96WEBwQmwr2D60-6m4DtGY6cv2ZzYu229T87Wr9TZvT_zZwXxyKFJM0JZIWqiZgvZpZzxopT-StwxX36KilFmZR7l_yF_NX4U/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A special thanks to our summit and sponsors for their support of this year's summit, and a big thanks to marine artist Wyland for designing the 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit t-shirt. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg-e9Eq8m5ChZWfPi-h0DaXPxArc8QRKUHuE-d1Uhr4x03PiXH4aMR2tRug23-4HaKsFMgJp5FQ5Q_MxY2cUdTPwt1hQMs-1HJcse7ozH0aTtuXk9J4vieal6i_8a4gmZXDyjqhI6gP7K/s1600/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg-e9Eq8m5ChZWfPi-h0DaXPxArc8QRKUHuE-d1Uhr4x03PiXH4aMR2tRug23-4HaKsFMgJp5FQ5Q_MxY2cUdTPwt1hQMs-1HJcse7ozH0aTtuXk9J4vieal6i_8a4gmZXDyjqhI6gP7K/s400/2013+Youth+Ocean+Conservation+Summit+424.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mote Marine Laboratory Director Emeritus, Dr. Eugenie Clark helps close the summit through an inspirational call to action video message. </td></tr>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-57772282901145875242013-07-25T21:01:00.001-07:002013-07-25T21:01:38.537-07:00Announcing the 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition!<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re excited to release the details for our 2013 Youth
Ocean Conservation Film Competition, which is designed to give students in
grades K-12 an opportunity to spread a message of ocean conservation through
the creation of short films. Entries for the competition are now open, and
will be accepted through October 1st, 2013. Winning films will be screened to
the public at our 2013 Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival which will be
held at Mote Marine Laboratory on Friday, November 15th! For complete contest
details and entry submission instructions, click <a href="http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_a9baf081/wp_a9baf081.html" target="_self">here</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/e16bfb5dfe985dd39e3e254aa/images/IMG_2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/e16bfb5dfe985dd39e3e254aa/images/IMG_2014.JPG" style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border: 0px; color: #505050; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; height: 200px; line-height: 14px; outline: none; text-align: right; width: 300px;" width="300" /></a></div>
Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-91278520269255134872013-07-14T21:01:00.004-07:002013-07-25T20:58:55.375-07:00Nicholas Cripps' Leads Boy Scout Troop 411 in Distributing Over 150 fishing line recycling binsThrough the Boy Scouts of America and "Stow It Don’t Throw It" Project, 16
members of Boy Scout Troop 441 in Pembroke Pines, FL helped construct and
distribute a grand total of 184 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins in December. Over 150 of the bins were
given to the University of Florida, the West Broward High School, and the
Seminole Tribe of Florida. After working to build the bins themselves , the
troop was happy to report that everybody they were passed out to seemed
enthusiastic about the project and the bins were well received!<br />
<br />
The troop
plans to distribute the rest of the bins they made at upcoming fishing events
and continue working to keep fishing line out of the ocean. A big thanks to the
Nicholas Cripps and Boy Scout Troop 411 for all their hard work and help!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUGmrMClFUVb544NHFXP14Jn9JlP7quL5DoJPyyZZ7VLZyDcbZVSjhwHO-eIXFAJ3wrTyvgZFw4L0mOg1RcVGramaqVbRfeL3VMaRC4CIYwEWJh6pVQzRIu71kITDMFt1F9zyLttG3KxE/s1600/Eagle+Scout_Nick+Cripps+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUGmrMClFUVb544NHFXP14Jn9JlP7quL5DoJPyyZZ7VLZyDcbZVSjhwHO-eIXFAJ3wrTyvgZFw4L0mOg1RcVGramaqVbRfeL3VMaRC4CIYwEWJh6pVQzRIu71kITDMFt1F9zyLttG3KxE/s320/Eagle+Scout_Nick+Cripps+(5).jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHk0ZGatniH8zR1sM7C4S6yGmhq1k-H1WXsQ3z_Hx5cu6bdvv5YHV75oeHyAi3f3C1oGu3K6b6eBK2VNH-k8o-ifnH_838y65EqpSOW5gBIPLksSq-Pd-0umYAKZ_yjgNC4s4C69lxMDc/s1600/Eagle+Scout_Nick+Cripps+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHk0ZGatniH8zR1sM7C4S6yGmhq1k-H1WXsQ3z_Hx5cu6bdvv5YHV75oeHyAi3f3C1oGu3K6b6eBK2VNH-k8o-ifnH_838y65EqpSOW5gBIPLksSq-Pd-0umYAKZ_yjgNC4s4C69lxMDc/s400/Eagle+Scout_Nick+Cripps+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-18517843133515081182013-04-23T14:17:00.002-07:002013-04-23T14:22:47.141-07:00Youth and Adults Take Action against Marine Debris during Global Youth Service DayAround the world, marine debris
poses a serious threat to our planet’s ocean environments. This weekend, in honor of Global
Youth Service Day, the world’s largest service event, youth and adults, across
the country and around the world, are teaming up to raise awareness about this
important issue. By sharing a new educational outreach presentation created by
the <st1:city w:st="on">Stow</st1:city>
It-Don’t Throw It Project, they’re working to teach community members about
marine debris – its sources, its impacts, and strategies for its prevention. In
addition to sharing this important message in school classes, with youth
organizations, and at community events, many students will lead a community
cleanup activity to help address the problem of marine debris.<br />
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Participants sharing our educational
outreach presentation on marine debris prevention will be joining forces with
thousands of other youth and adults around the world, who are giving back to
their communities during April 26-28, as part of Global Youth Service Day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information on the <st1:city w:st="on">Stow</st1:city> It-Don’t Throw It
Project’s marine debris prevention presentation, and to receive materials to
share this message in your community visit: <a href="http://ow.ly/km38C">http://ow.ly/km38C</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Check out our Facebook page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/stowitdonthrowit" title="http://www.facebook.com/stowitdonthrowit">www.facebook.com/stowitdonthrowit</a>
to see photos and updates from the youth and adults helping spread this message
during Global Youth Service Day weekend!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Students in North Carolina learn about marine debris prevention through the Stow It-Don't Throw It Project's educational presentation, shared by Casey Sokolovic, founder of Love A Sea Turtle. </span></div>
Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-83189458667364605522013-01-05T17:29:00.009-08:002013-01-05T17:29:52.740-08:00Congratulations to our 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Team mini-grant recipients! <br />
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Thanks to support from the International Ocean
Institute-USA, and funds raised from our first Community Ocean Conservation
Film Festival we were able to carry out our first Youth Ocean Conservation Team
mini-grant program, which provided funding to help support ocean conservation
projects planned by some of our 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit participants. Congratulations to our first grant recipients, who
are mentioned below with a brief description of their projects!<br />
<br /><b>
Lauren Baillie and Sabrina Angelides</b> are creating awareness and inspiring
others to take action to protect marine ecosystems through the production of
short films and public service announcements.<br />
<br /><b>
Robbie Breininger and Brevard Zoo</b> are developing an educational brochure
focused on the Florida East Coast Terrapin, a species vulnerable to extinction.<br />
<br /><b>
Sara Brenes</b> is running educational outreach programs and paddle board eco-tours
focused on teaching community members about shark conservation.<br />
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Students at the <b>National Aquarium</b> are creating a play, video, and educational
materials to teach students in <st1:city w:st="on">Baltimore City</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MD</st1:state> about the importance of protecting the <st1:place w:st="on">Chesapeake Bay</st1:place> watershed.<br />
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Casey Sokolovic</b> is leading educational summer camp programs involving Boys and
Girls Clubs members focused on water and ocean conservation.<br />
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The <b>Trailblazer's 4-H Club</b> is raising and planting mangroves to support
ecosystem restoration efforts in the Pine Island Sound.<br />
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The <b>TRUE Dive Team</b> is planting nursery raised coral in the Florida Keys and
carrying out an artificial reef cleanup off <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>'s Gulf coast. </div>
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Stay tuned for more updates on these projects, as well as
other ocean conservation initiatives being carried out by our Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit participants!</div>
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Want to get involved, check out the <a href="http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_f343c28a/wp_f343c28a.html">Youth Ocean Conservation Team</a> and sign-up for our monthly e-newsletter! </div>
Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-66096808196082040472012-11-06T20:58:00.001-08:002012-11-06T20:58:57.730-08:00Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Empowers Young Conservationists<br />
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On Friday November 2<sup>nd</sup> and Saturday November 3<sup>rd</sup>,
over two hundred participants, and presenters, representing Florida, Georgia,
Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC, came together, at Mote Marine Laboratory
in Sarasota, Florida for two special events aimed at increasing public
awareness of pressing ocean conservation issues and the implementation of youth
led ocean conservation projects to combat these challenges. </div>
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Friday night’s Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival
highlighted the film work of young people in the field of ocean conservation
and featured the premier showing of the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s
new educational short film, <i>Rich History…
Priceless Future: The Tarpon of Boca Grand Pass</i>. The event also featured a
screening of the award winning film <i>This
is Your Ocean Sharks</i> introduced by the film’s two time Emmy award director,
George Schellenger, and shark conservationist/film star Jim Abernethy. </div>
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The second annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, a day
long educational outreach effort organized by the <st1:city w:st="on">Stow</st1:city> It-Don’t Throw It Marine Debris
Prevention Project and Mote Marine Laboratory, took place at Mote on Saturday
November 3<sup>rd</sup>. The over one hundred fifty participants in attendance
this year were inspired by the work and message of this year’s keynote speaker,
Jim Abernethy, who captivated them while sharing his life’s work in ocean
conservation. Youth, who were in attendance at last year’s summit, also
inspired participants by sharing their work on ocean conservation projects that
emerged from last year’s summit. Their
projects included beach clean ups, mangrove planting projects, educational
community events, school recycling projects and art projects.. </div>
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This year’s workshop presenters represented contributions
from environmental and youth organizations and schools which included Earth
Echo International, Greening Forward, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Canterbury
School of Florida, One More Generation, Conservation Enterprises Unlimited,
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, 4-H, Mote education staff and research scientists,
as well as youth from the <i>Stow It-Don’t
Throw It</i> Project’s Management Team. </div>
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Additionally, a special contribution to this year’s summit
workshop line up was the Wyland Foundation’s Clean Water Mobile Learning
Experience, which was made available to youth attending the summit as well as
visitors to Mote Aquarium on Friday and Saturday. </div>
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Projects which emerged from this year’s summit include the
expansion of the work of the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i>Stow</i></st1:place></st1:city><i> It-Don’t Throw It</i> Project, protection
of marine mammals, litter awareness educational programs and clean ups,
educational film projects, and restoration of coral reefs, mangrove habitat and
oyster beds. Financial support for these projects will come from revenue
generated at this year’s Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival as well as funds
provided by the International Ocean Institute-USA. </div>
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Work at the 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit culminated
with a call to action video message featuring National Geographic Explorer in
Residence, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Columbus Zoo Director Emeritus, Jack Hanna, Artist
of the Sea, Wyland, and Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, Bindi and Robert Irwin.
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<i>A special thanks to our partners at Mote Marine Laboratory and the 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit sponsors: the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, Mote Scientific Foundation, </i><i>the Wyland Foundation, </i><i>the International Ocean Institute-USA, EarthEcho International, Sarasota Bay Watch, Teen Research Underwater Explorers, Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club, FLOW Kayak and Paddle Tours, and Suncoast Print Solutions Inc, as well as to all of our volunteers and presenters. And a big thanks to all of our incredible participants for their commitment to protecting our planet's marine ecosystems!</i></div>
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Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-20227434796125409922012-10-26T13:32:00.005-07:002012-10-26T13:32:56.483-07:00Congratulations to our 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition Winners!We're excited to announce the winners of our first annual Youth Ocean Conservation Film Festival! This competition, which was held in conjunction with our 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit engaged students in grades K-12 in the creation of short films highlighting ocean conservation issues they're passionate about.<br />
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We received some outstanding entries, and would like to recognize the following contest winners:<br />
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<b>Elementary School Category:</b><br />
Ryan Moralevitz - <i>My Wishes for the Fishes</i><br />
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<b>Middle School Category:</b><br />
Willy Jones - <i>Together We Can Keep Litter Out of Their Homes</i><br />
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<b>High School Category:</b><br />
Casey Sokolovic - <i>Help Them L.A.S.T. - Love A Sea Turtle</i><br />
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Lauren Baillie & Sabrina Angelides - <i>Blue Rage: The Fight To Save The Sea's Bounty</i><br />
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Our 2012 competition winners will be recognized out our Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival at Mote Marine Laboratory on Friday, November 2nd at 7PM. If you'd like to attend this special event, which will also feature a screening of the award-winning film <i>This Is Your Ocean: Sharks</i> and the premier of the educational short film <i>Rich History...Priceless Future: The Tarpon of Boca Grande Pass </i>you can purchase tickets at <a href="http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_a9baf081/wp_a9baf081.html">http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_a9baf081/wp_a9baf081.html</a><br />
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We would like to congratulate all of our 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition participants! We greatly appreciate your entries and work to protect our planet's marine ecosystems and encourage others to do the same. We'll be highlighting films submitted by all of our participants online over the next few months!<br />
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<i>We'd also like to extend a special thanks to our 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition partners, EarthEcho International and Mote Marine Laboratory for their support in making this competition possible! </i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-73198006147107056372012-07-02T20:28:00.008-07:002012-07-02T20:36:33.996-07:00Manatee County Natural Resources partners with the Stow It-Don't Throw It Project!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtS61BIJ_YSmieJXqLbnl0WaA-zxQ-ku3CkquiHSghr7upIwMM1cTSSv6bTIqWJdr-3QqroRPW9ccEkJJisCmxEVhgOlS0h2R-UsNiohf6ACjQzmdK3s20XtNmj3WhspuGmI2l0yHvWbq/s1600/Manatee+Co+-+Johnson+Middle+School+%25286%2529.jpg"></a><div><div>An exciting partnership with Manatee County Natural Resources Department is empowering youth and adult volunteers to carry out a large scale implementation of the “Stow It-Don’t Throw It” project in Manatee County, Florida! Thanks to funding from the West Coast Inland Navigational District, and support from the Manatee County Natural Resources Department staff and volunteers, participants will be engaged in the assembly and distribution of 1,000<br />personal-sized fishing line recycling bins this year!<br /><br />Participants from groups including students from Johnson Middle School, the Sarasota Bay Guardians, and members of the local Boys and Girls Club have already learned about the importance of fishing line recycling and marine debris prevention through this effort, and have assembled personal-sized fishing line recycling bins, which will be distributed to anglers and boaters in Manatee County.<br /><br />A special thanks to Manatee County Natural Resources and the West Coast Inland Navigational District for their support of this project! We’d also like to thank our partners at Mote Marine Laboratory, University Park Country Club, and Artistree Landscape and Design for working with us to collect the tennis ball containers that participants in this program are repurposing into personal-sized fishing line recycling bins so far. Check back soon for more updates!</div><div> </div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760781727343227282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswz24Ayv8Xn6yWxu8du_IOKi9a8WWrjhCmdQkxo0rOr5tnKOlGdSWXgE56I93CHZ57YkgpTlosl4CNIK-fvQEDxpaHf2uUztl-u7gy4iNZGmBca81p-2ux0FEVqDteRlnqlH5bOMmcGDt/s320/Manatee+Co+-+Johnson+Middle+School+%25283%2529.jpg" /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzIRn03-uVtWIcKSU0L-ScZzOhkE53QR48IJrARBzxmgpA9q3TYk2b1MLlM_ehWEIwEQ9E2ptHo0k2PxOyj88GhsAZl54nUBiRphNyTPGpK6pGzxz1eFJ4l0YAyabxhwzTjQrHQOjePdO/s1600/Manatee+Co+-+Johnson+Middle+School+%25286%2529.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760780505364395746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzIRn03-uVtWIcKSU0L-ScZzOhkE53QR48IJrARBzxmgpA9q3TYk2b1MLlM_ehWEIwEQ9E2ptHo0k2PxOyj88GhsAZl54nUBiRphNyTPGpK6pGzxz1eFJ4l0YAyabxhwzTjQrHQOjePdO/s320/Manatee+Co+-+Johnson+Middle+School+%25286%2529.jpg" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS5tk2WCG_ILqWQWOdwJ7ogfy5rOrZU2nPnr2IYw-Kgh-KDTNHktm7xe-816QK6vvSKiYmb-XMcBb2Grb9goRl5wMHx9ScLNYMbj1HTYcYtkZ2RZSeZSO_j5x6z4bkNk36LDjYKUo7Lb8/s1600/Manatee+Co+-+Johnson+Middle+School.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760780504432091986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS5tk2WCG_ILqWQWOdwJ7ogfy5rOrZU2nPnr2IYw-Kgh-KDTNHktm7xe-816QK6vvSKiYmb-XMcBb2Grb9goRl5wMHx9ScLNYMbj1HTYcYtkZ2RZSeZSO_j5x6z4bkNk36LDjYKUo7Lb8/s320/Manatee+Co+-+Johnson+Middle+School.jpg" /></a><div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-1067602398153685032012-06-26T15:49:00.003-07:002012-06-26T15:54:24.822-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjgmtQy-JvUQssiHGwAGJs0kscRlEQxICAu8mUnEO8ucz5KltkB8N455Y8YCMQYBiqwfM4Mw7M-2eCKXOPLtGerwW6woWRlwHWJgE0zvLBt8CADzqs7anWIWhp5QrVP1tYnzPC2khUdkl/s1600/YOCS+2012+Logo+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 294px; height: 146px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5758482080008020274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjgmtQy-JvUQssiHGwAGJs0kscRlEQxICAu8mUnEO8ucz5KltkB8N455Y8YCMQYBiqwfM4Mw7M-2eCKXOPLtGerwW6woWRlwHWJgE0zvLBt8CADzqs7anWIWhp5QrVP1tYnzPC2khUdkl/s320/YOCS+2012+Logo+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a>We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for the second annual <strong>YouthOcean Conservation Summit which will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL!</strong> This event will provide youth participants with the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about current threats facing marine ecosystems, work with mentors to develop action plans for their own ocean conservation projects, and take part in workshops designed to give them skills necessary to successfully implement their projects. Participants will also get the chance to network with conservation organizations, and other young people who are passionate about ocean conservation! New workshops and sessions will be offered for returning participants to further develop their ongoing ocean conservation work!<br /><br />To register for the summit, visit the <a title="http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_a9baf081/wp_a9baf081.html" href="http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_a9baf081/wp_a9baf081.html">Youth Ocean Conservation Summit website</a> and complete the online registration form. The registration fee for the event is $13 per participant, and includes lunch, snacks, and program materials.<br /><br />New this year:<br /><strong>Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival:</strong> To broaden our reach to the community, on the evening of Friday, November 2nd, we will be hosting a screening of the award-winning film, This is Your Ocean: Sharks as well as showcasing youth-driven environmental initiatives to members of the community. Tickets for this special event are available now at $12 for adults and $6 for youth. These tickets can be purchased from the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit website. All proceeds from tickets sold for this event will benefit youth-driven ocean<br />conservation projects!<br /><br /><strong>Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition:</strong> In an effort to engage young people, across the country, in our ocean conservation work, we’re excited to host this competition in partnership with EarthEcho International! Through this competition, students will highlight ocean conservation issues by creating short films to raise awareness about these topics. Winning films will be shown to the public at our film festival on November 2nd! The complete rules and film<br />competition details, along with the online entry form can be found on the summit website!<br /><br />Additionally, on our website you can also find the 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit flyer, schedule, full descriptions of the workshops/sessions that will be offered at this year’s summit,<br />and the summit sponsorship form. Our full summit program will be available online shortly!<br /><br />We’re looking forward to seeing you in November at these exciting events!Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-67101290300163270882012-05-29T18:19:00.003-07:002012-05-29T18:21:50.052-07:00Save the Date - 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjG2vW60JHrG_VztX8qOwQppUySW0tKLWjCHmWreLv5Z4yZkSj7TuvRCc3MA3smwmZ8eAhRHhWJCM37RVLflHzQGPAoDQwQL3QoRjpcvIebdEtkwVOKFEaAGeCVuvSOUzBowUVGgj3ipI/s1600/YOCS+2012+Logo+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 168px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5748130375051207106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjG2vW60JHrG_VztX8qOwQppUySW0tKLWjCHmWreLv5Z4yZkSj7TuvRCc3MA3smwmZ8eAhRHhWJCM37RVLflHzQGPAoDQwQL3QoRjpcvIebdEtkwVOKFEaAGeCVuvSOUzBowUVGgj3ipI/s320/YOCS+2012+Logo+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><div> </div><div>Mark your calendars – <strong>the second annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit<br />will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL!</strong> This event will provide youth participants with the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about current threats facing marine ecosystems. Participants will also have the chance to learn about the ways youth are currently working to protect marine ecosystems, and develop action plans for their own ocean conservation projects. Workshops offered at the summit will allow participants to gain the skills necessary to successfully implement their ocean conservation projects, teach participants about career opportunities in marine conservation,<br />and expose them to opportunities they can take part in to help protect our planet's oceans and their inhabitants. New workshops and sessions will be offered for returning participants to further develop their ongoing ocean conservation work!<br /><br /><strong>New this year:<br />- Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival:</strong> To broaden our reach to the community, on the evening of Friday, November 2nd, we will be hosting a screening of the award-winning film, This is Your Ocean: Sharks as well as showcasing youth-driven environmental initiatives to members of the community.<br />- <strong>Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition: </strong>To engage young people across the country in our ocean summit programming, we will be hosting a film competition from June-September for students in grades K-12. Students will highlight ocean conservation issues through these films, and winning films will be shown to the public at our film screening on November 2nd!<br /><br />Online registration, the event schedule, workshop descriptions, summit program, and sponsorship information will be available online at: <a href="http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_a9baf081/wp_a9baf081.html">http://www.stowitdontthrowitproject.org/pb/wp_a9baf081/wp_a9baf081.html</a> the first week of June!<br /><br />We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event! Please also spread the word about this opportunity to your friends, colleagues, and fellow ocean enthusiasts!<br /></div>Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-9212463323012041372012-04-25T17:18:00.006-07:002012-04-25T19:20:06.159-07:00The "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project celebrates Global Youth Service Day<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>To celebrate Earth Day and Global Youth Service Day, the world's largest youth service event, the<br />"Stow It-Don’t Throw It” Project partnered with the University of Florida/IFAS’s Fishing for Success Kids Family Fishing Day on April 21st, to teach young anglers about environmentally sustainable fishing practices and the importance of protecting aquatic wildlife from fishing line entanglement! </div><div><br />Youth participants at this event were able to join their friends and family for a fun day of fishing at the University of Florida aquatic sciences center. During this event, volunteers from the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" project taught participants about the importance of preventing marine debris and protecting wildlife from fishing line entanglement. Participants were also given their own personal-sized fishing line recycling bins to help them properly dispose of their used fishing line and gear.<br /><br />Through this event, we were excited to have the opportunity to join the efforts of millions of young people bettering their communities around the world as part of Global Youth Service<br />Day, while spreading a message of conservation in honor of Earth Day!<br /></div><div>A special thanks to Youth Service America for their support of our Global Youth Service Day work, and the University of Florida/IFAS Extension's Fishing for Success program for their<br />allowing us to partner with them during their event!<br /><br />For more information on Global Youth Service Day visit: <a href="http://www.gysd.org/">http://www.gysd.org/</a>.<br />For more information on the Fishing for Success program visit: <a href="http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/FishSUCCESS/index.htm">http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/FishSUCCESS/index.htm</a>.<br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735503053527871586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXabItPs4GA4NTpJs6AMHfxvH8uAloVaBfhmZLTUz7RDyQLstXsVEctn5V-BZk40JhUhcKQ05PdbJUvKj9K-KYUUt4ruQ5wvA3_AtDeOKLnvKZek9Xuzi7KbxDgM59Qeb3__xMtqziFWCa/s320/GYSD+2012+115.JPG" /></div><div><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735503026834924098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlvpo_H2_2XWVDNlpHXayCQEc__TAEVGf3GRX-MDVP9zvaB08z8tO1eNdwhDNbW4XOHS64f4RHENLJcfKnfqirovsyFyIcjyW3oP3eoZa8wLPWOOTpq5dzPArUn0frbUibM-mkMiTlO2E/s320/GYSD+2012+090.JPG" /> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735503018375754818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB51k7gYLvnjAO4ex5rGmUCyu9LbShXy-TL1dHLQ-uKsYRTYihvTCq5vGdq2wyM_9fu-Jx7fuBv28u-p40vz4PdpK2R3MMoilv_4ib4UrzZe0K7X14ekXqjDqphgvpKGx93wFyR_1qbwIL/s320/GYSD+2012+086.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242010244506673743.post-1997174741240244372012-02-07T18:47:00.000-08:002012-02-09T19:01:06.860-08:00Artistree Landscape Partners with the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project!<div><div><div><div><br />When ArtisTree LandscapeMaintenance & Design agreed to be the title sponsor for the UPCC Grand Prix tennis tournament, they wanted to do something different that would help the<br />environment. When they came across the “Stow It - Don't Throw It” program that recycles empty tennis ball cans to help save marine wildlife, they knew they found the right partner.<br /><br />From January 30th-February 5th, ArtisTree teamed up with Mote Marine Laboratory, University Park Country Club’s Tennis Pros, and the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" project to encourage tennis tournament participants to recycle their empty tennis ball cans to be turned into personal-sized fishing line recycling bins. Thanks to ArtisTree and University Park Country Club's support, nearly 700 empty tennis ball conatiners were collected and will be used by new groups becoming involved in the project during the upcoming year! A special thanks to all of those involved who helped make this partnership possible!<br /><br />Check out the pictures below with "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project volunteers, University<br />Park Country Club staff, and representatives from Manatee County Natural Resources<br />who will be using some of the tennis ball containers collected to assemble fishing line recycling bins in their area!<br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706596134823405714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDRf934gpNmFwYIUN5lz8SGJBdbjYvjt0cfwLKwD9Z2dJqbPqNgMfvZJzyu_cMVcLYfr-UdoS8PDspgqyKErlhqBJRITGSeZCBizooj34hvqdC9AAEvEMJeVb0ecP4qgb-Pxqde0voHaH/s320/UPCC+Grand+Prix+2012+001.JPG" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706596129237310178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_XPRkZBvTGsn8awGOzEH7FfSgxNWZIBEzdVw8xroxiuElrGHadVVjHp5BvDvQmzLEUMaaqCBJUOZ-aET0meiSb8HDyZ0Sbo-9CTcM-1ITtE1wLOf7OZEBnGteIY4OFdbHZZSkDf0CdNM/s320/UPCC+Grand+Prix+2012+011.JPG" /></div></div></div></div>Stow It-Don't Throw Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746383472947335453noreply@blogger.com0