Sea Turtles Threatened by The People Visiting Miami Beach

By Alyce B.

sea turtles threatened by the people visiting Miami beach.

In the night dozens of freshly hatched sea turtles inch their way to the new life in the sea.
These turtle will face many challenges. the female sea turtles who make it to maturity return every summer to lay eggs of their own in nest that typically contain more than 50 eggs, because they must share their breeding ground with beach goers the sea turtles way of life is under increasing threat.

Egg poachers and vandals have destroyed a number of nest conservationist do their best to protect turtles nest. Dozens of turtles are killed by the time breeding season comes. Boat propellers and those who hope to make a profit from the illegal sale of turtle meat are some of the causes. Sea turtles found alive after boating accidents or human attacks are taken to the Miami aquarium where they are treated by Dr. Maya Rodriquez that has about 25 injured turtles. Some turtles have a clipped flipper to a cracked shell or worse one had its insides completely exposed and saved them protection starting at birth is the key to future survival.

my resource for this article was NY times story written by Carmen gentile
published Sep /9 / 09

Why polution should be stopped.

By Morgan Dawson



Have you ever seen cans or bottles floating in the water or sitting beside the road? Have you ever wondered how something so small could effect our earth? Well, fish or any aquatic animal suffers greatly from us throwing thrash onto the road or into the water.
Aquatic animals suffer the most because trash beside the road is likely to wash into the water by rain or blown into it by the wind. Also, the animals could mistake trash as food and eat it, then choke on it. Not just aquatic animals are dealing with polution, mammals and birds could easily be trapped. Something like a plastic six-pack rings could get wrapped around the animal and trap it. Wire or plastic could wrap around the poor animal's throat and possibly choke it to death.
We also will reap the consequences of polution. The polution completely destroys our water. Plastic, glass, beer cans, are just a few of the things that float around in our water for years and years at a time. The polution kills off many species of animals that WE eat, that means less fish for us.
I hope you found out how horrible polution is. So, from now on, wait until you see a trash can or a recycling bin to throw you trash away. That's what they're there for, right? When you do this you will be helping aquatic animals and lands animal have a better home.

Fun Facts About Birds

By Alyce B.


Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bird?
Or just think about the facts like the most yolks found in a single chickens egg was nine that would have been nine chicks in one egg. I'm pretty sure they would not live that is such a small space for nine chicks too grow in. The egg of a humming bird is the worlds smallest birds egg. The egg of the ostrich is the worlds largest these are just simple facts about birds. I have been looking up things about birds. They are wonderful animals
they are the animals that make the noise in the morning and in the day and one more thing, have you ever wondered why birds are so important well almost all birds can be eaten by other birds or animals. Birds are an important part of the food chains of many animals. But that is not the only reason that birds are important
there are so many reasons that birds are important to our planet. If you want to learn more things about birds just go on the internet and find out so that we can help their habitat.

Zappy Zip Line!

By: Kristi Hunt


Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to fly? Now you have a chance! Come experience an exhilarating ride ... the zip line! Soar through the air like a bird in flight.

It's a blast!

This is just one of the exciting activities you'll encounter when you visit Camp Baldwin. Come join the adventure!
For more information visit http://www.campbaldwin.org/

















A few Ambassadors getting ready to ride the Zip Line at Camp Baldwin!

To learn the history of the modern zip line click here:
http://knol.google.com/k/ofs/history-of-the-zipline/20psr0naj1u55/2#

Success!

By Chason Ford

It has finally been completed...and what a great success! This past Thursday was the beginning of our classes at Camp Baldwin in Elberta, Alabama. A group of 5th graders from Northside Private School in Dothan, Alabama, made their way for a two day field trip, to learn about  estuary life and surrounding nature. Our two days were spent in three places: the classroom, the ropes course, and out on the water. Participants were presented with native inhabitants of the area such as, snakes, turtles, frogs, lizards, and even alligators. We used this activity as a hands-on tool to learn about the amphibians that live in Alabama. Additionally, team building was accomplished through the the rope's course and our time on the sailboat taught us about another "world", under the sea. 

Not only was this an amazing educational experience, but great fun and fellowship was enjoyed by all.  For further information on how your group can take part in this exciting, fun-filled educational program, please contact Rusty Davidson with Compass Ministries @ 251-752-0367.

Authors of great books

Dr. Geoff Hill shares his research of the swamps of  the Florida panhandle trying to locate Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, a species thought to be extinct for the past 50 years. In 2005, the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University announced a discovery of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the big woods of Arkansas. Following the announcement, Dr. Hill, a wildlife science professor at Auburn University, took a research trip  into the swamp forests of Florida. Read his book the Ivorybill Hunters .

Another great and enjoyable author is Brian "Fox" Ellis

Brian Ellis brings history, ecology, art and literature to life in his meticulously researched program that celebrates the life work of an "American Treasure"  Adventures with John James Audubon. Brian is one of America's greatest naturalists and wildlife artists. Listen to tales of his adventures as he enchants you with stories of his travels and travails in the wildest places on the planet.

He is best  known for his books for children

The Web at Dragonfly Pond

Meet Mendel the Hybrid owl

Becky Collier from the Alabama 4-H center ( Coose River Science School) cares for a hybrid owl named Mendel . He is two years old and came to Becky after being born in a clutch of 5 belonging to mixed parents. The Center for Birds and Prey in Charleston, SC. thought they had two males in a shared habitat and only after the arrival of the clutch did they realize one was a female and she is an African Spotted Eagle owl . The father of our little hybrid owl was a  Vermiculated owl. The center offered the hybrid to the Science School to help care for the owl in captivity to prevent further hybrid  offspring  from being produced.

Mendel the hybrid owl recieved his name after the monk Gregor Mendel  best known for his studies on the  hybrid pea plants.

Hands on Watershed study for families

Great outdoor class with Anna King. Families were able to here about our watershed and the important role it plays in our area. The children were able to do a hands on  activity and observe the hazards of  erosion and runoff into our local waters. We then ventured  on a great nature hike and ended on the public boardwalk and beach for some fun in the sand while observing the birds in the area. Was such a great day. March 3, 2010.

families prepare to  participate in a hands on activity.

                                    Anna helps the students prepare for the erosion observation.

                                The kids take a stroll along the waters edge during a great hike .