Get Involved and Learn About Coastal Issues

According to the Assistant Vice President of Tourism for the Pensacola Visitors Information Center, indirect and direct economic impacts from the tourism industry in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties are $737,000,000. The Gulf of Mexico, our bays, bayous, rivers and creeks are the main attractions. Activities are planned each year to educate locals and visitors concerning the conservation and wise use of our natural resources.

The Santa Rosa Rivers Symposium will take place at the Milton Campus of Pensacola Junior College on March 24, 2001 from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. This free symposium will focus on the beauty of the river systems, estuaries, natural resources, current environmental concerns, and what can be done to ensure the future health of these priceless assets. This will be an exciting learning event. The morning session will consist of presentations concerning the history, ecology, problems and issues of the local river systems. The afternoon session will include hands-on activities and demonstrations. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about daily practices around their homes that have less impact on our waterways. Information about recreational opportunities and additional natural resource information will also be included.

This symposium is being coordinated in cooperation with the Santa Rosa Clean Community System (Rivers Watch), Pensacola Junior College (Milton campus), the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership, the Bay Area Resource Council, and the Santa Rosa County Extension Service. Other activities include a free fish fry lunch, bluegrass music and door prizes.

Governor Bush has proclaimed March as “Seagrass Awareness Month” for the state of Florida. Look for exciting activities to learn more about protection of seagrasses, their ecological and economic importance, and responsible boating. Seagrasses are “alive” and their health is essential for the health of our ecosystem.

Earth Day is April 22. Activities will take place throughout the month. The first Earth Day took place in 1970 to increase the public’s awareness of environmental issues. Events are being planned at Big Lagoon State Recreation Area, Seville Square in downtown Pensacola and the Environmental Protection Agency’s laboratory at Pensacola Beach.

If you are a boater or personal watercraft owner, you may want to learn more about marine safety issues. An upcoming Marine Safety Exposition will be held at a soon to be announced location. Activities will include demonstrations concerning safe boating practices, emergency management and response, marine environment protection, scuba diving safety, and more. This event is sponsored by the Escambia County Division of Marine Resources and the City of Pensacola Leisure Services.

For those interested in research, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Council of State Governments will co-sponsor the national Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program’s (EMAP) Coastal Symposium 2001 at the Pensacola Beachside Resort and Conference Center, April 24-27. The symposium will address successful monitoring techniques and programs from across the US.

Get involved in the conservation and management of our coastal resources! Attend a special event to learn more about our natural resources. Join a local civic organization. Many groups plan events and activities dedicated to protecting natural resources. Groups such as the Bay Area Resource Council, the Frances M. Weston Audubon Society, the Pensacola Bay Gulf Coast Keepers, the Santa Rosa Clean Community System, the Santa Rosa Sound Coalition, Friends of Perdido Bay, The Bayou Chico Association, Friends of the Prairie and many homeowner associations are concerned with maintaining the quality of the resources that attracted residents here in the first place. For more information concerning these upcoming events, please give me a call at (850) 623-3868 or (850) 939-1259, Ext. 1360 for south county residents.

Chris Verlinde is Extension Marine Agent for Santa Rosa County.