Local News Teenagers Learn Environmental Lessons at SEEK 2008 Conference
Written by Lynn Artz Thursday, 17 July 2008 09:32
Teenagers Learn Environmental Lessons at SEEK 2008 Conference
Teenagers from across Florida took over the Lodge at Wakulla Springs State Park for two 4-day sessions in July. The 2008 SEEK environmental conference attracted 62 high school students from as far away as Miami Beach to the conference’s new home near Tallahassee.
After learning about Karst hydrogeology and springs protection, participants enjoyed a boat ride at Wakulla Springs. They also swam in Cherokee Sink and canoed on the Wakulla River. The canoe adventure included manatee sightings, a nesting osprey, and numerous Suwannee Cooters (turtles).
{sidebar id=1}An evening workshop on Green Living was a big hit. Students calculated their carbon footprints, measured the wattage of common electrical appliances, and learned about emerging green technologies. The fascinating critters at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab were another conference highlight.
Initially squeamish about exploring the sea grass beds at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the students were soon wading in the coastal muck and discovering the creatures there. Deep in the Apalachicola National Forest, they saw a red-cockaded woodpecker colony, pitcher plants, and a pygmy rattlesnake.
A session on careers in environmental science and conservation gave students the chance to talk with a marine biologist, wildlife biologist, forester, hydrogeologist, environmental lawyer, urban planner, environmental lobbyist, and others. An optional workshop on Green Cleaning also proved popular.
As a service project for the Park, the students collected numerous bags of trash and recyclables. They also kicked back and enjoyed the atmosphere at local restaurants.
On the evaluations that students completed before heading home, participants identified numerous changes they plan to make because of SEEK. These included “recycle more”, “drive less”, “buy CFLs”, “eat less meat”, “use less water”, “make my yard more friendly to wildlife”, and “work with my parents to reduce CO2 emissions.” Many students were eager to share what they learned with others. One said, “I will encourage everyone I know to practice save-the-earth techniques.” Several students left with new ideas for their high school environmental clubs. One participant wants to “start writing an environmental column in the school paper.” Another wants to “get more involved in local environmental efforts.”
In a thank you note to her sponsoring garden club, one student wrote “Wow! This mini-week has been so exciting. I don’t want to leave.” A student from Tampa wrote, “This experience has really opened my eyes on how I can help protect the environment. A participant from Newberry (near Gainesville) told her sponsoring garden club “I now have a better idea of what I want to study in college.” A second student from Tampa declared “I really plan on changing my lifestyle because I learned what affect I have on the world.”
SEEK (Save the Earth’s Environment through Knowledge) is sponsored by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. Lynn Artz, a member of the Iris Garden Club of Wakulla, has coordinated this annual statewide conference for the past two years. Artz is responsible for bringing SEEK to Wakulla County this summer. For more information, please visit SEEK’s webpage at www.ffgc.org/youth/seek.html or contact Lynn Artz (926-8756; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
This article originally published on July 17, 2008.
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