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School District of Desoto County
A public outreach grant from the Charlotte
Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) allowed four classes of
Desoto County School fourth graders to take a wildlife cruise.
We rode aboard the Good Times Too boat owned and operated by
King Fisher Fleet Inc. out of Punta Gorda.
On these fieldtrips, students received
instruction about the mangrove trees and how they relate to the
health of the Charlotte Harbor estuary. They heard a narration
on the history of the Charlotte Harbor area. They were taught
about the three rivers that carry fresh water into Charlotte
Harbor. They learned about how the natural systems surrounding
the harbor protect the fishery.
The grant also provided water testing
equipment. Water samples were taken at points close to the
mouths of the Peace and Myakka Rivers. Students measured depth,
salinity, turbidity, and collected plankton. We instructed that
the health of Charlotte Harbor depends on the amount of fresh
water, the timing of its flow, and its quality throughout the
Peace River water shed. What affects these things? Which are
controlled by human will and which of them are natural events?
Binoculars were also purchased with the
grant. Students used them to view water birds such as the brown
pelican, the frigate, gulls, and a snowy white egret. Also, the
binoculars allowed students to watch fishermen and learn about
the harvesting of blue crabs and tarpon sport fishing. We saw
snook and catfish near the dock. Dolphins came close to the
boat and jumped in the wake…people on jet skis did too.
About one third of these students had never
been on a boat. They have been assigned to write an essay about
the experience. Next to watching and nurturing my own children
as they explored and discovered the natural world about
them—this was one of the best educational experiences I’ve ever
had.
Thank you CHNEP, Dan Dubbert, Adrian Cline,
Ralph Allen and his crew, the Outdoor Classroom staff, parents,
teachers, and students.
Submitted by:
Anita Forester
School District of Desoto County Public
Schools
Outdoor Classroom Science Teacher/Grant
Writer
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