A beautiful day for fun and education
A Beautiful day spent on the water provided the 5th grade students of Crystal River Primary School with fun, adventure, and plenty of education as their eelgrass journey came to an end.
During Eco Week in December of 2018 Duke Energy’s Mariculture Center donated seagrass for the for every student to plant in their classroom tank. This grass is then incorporated into lessons about science, ecosystems, biology, and even the art classes! This is the 3rd year that Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation has generously provided grant funds which provide technology for the classes to use such as water quality sensors and virtual reality goggles, a curriculum was developed, and the funds also provide for some of the EcoWeek activities possible and make planting day possible. At the end of the year the 5th grade collects the whole school’s eelgrass and brings it down to our local waterfront park where they will plant it to benefit the environment and all those that live or visit Crystal River.
Members of Duke Energy hand out eelgrass as the students jump in the water to plant.
On Friday, May 24th, 2019, the students brought their tanks, filled with the grass they have been growing for months, to Hunter Springs Park to plant. Once the eelgrass takes root, its spreads out creating more eelgrass plants! Soon this recently planted area will become a lush underwater meadow.
All newly planted eelgrass is covered by cages. The cages protect the seagrass from manatees. The protection allows the roots to become well established. Once established, the manatees will graze but not pull out the eelgrass plants. Much like mowing a lawn, grazing encourages the plants to grow new grass shoots.
“The Cage Scrub”
Students get a lesson on what happens after planting day! Cages from last year were removed and ready for a good cleaning! This allows the students to learn that keeping our waterways clean is about more than just planting once a year. There are many other steps that go in to ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
Students learn what maintenance is required after planting by scrubbing the eelgrass cages clean.
“The Anchor Drag”
Students from Crystal River Primary attempt to drag different anchors through the sand to see the effects each has on the environment.
Another stop on Planting Day was the “Anchor Drag”! The students were given a lesson on the effects different anchors have on the eelgrass beds and the potential damage of improper anchoring. Allowing the students to see first hand what happens to the ground when you pull an anchor is a major step in making a lasting impression. This station was not only educational but a huge hit! Howard from Sea & Shoreline definitely knows how to make learning fun!
“The Virtual Tour”
Another favorite station, this stop is where the students get to really submerge. The virtual reality goggles allow students to take a tour of our project from a different perspective. They get to see what the plants look like at the beginning of the growing season when they are not protected from manatees and then compare that to eelgrass that is growing in a protective cage. They also get to see an example of one of the many small spring vents we unclogged by watching the sand bubble up. Seeing the project from an underwater perspective makes them better appreciate the beauty and importance of this ecosystem.
A Special Surprise
The Duke Energy Foundation had a special surprise in store for our students! This year, the 5th grade students from Crystal River Primary were able to help replenish the Red Fish population with buckets full of these beautiful babies. It was quite an exciting experience to watch the children laugh with joy and surprise, and see hundreds of these fish released in to our springs.
Guests and Community Support
We are overwhelmed at the incredible amount of community support we received for our 3rd Annual “Be a Rockstar, Plant Eelgrass” day.
Thank you so much to Senator Wilton Simpson, without his support and advocacy in the state legislature this project may not even be happening. Also in attendance this year, showing support and thanking the students for the incredible work they are doing, Crystal River Mayor Joe Meek, Crystal River Manager Ken Frink, Crystal River Councilman Robert Holmes, Superintendent of Citrus County Schools Sam Himmel, SWFWMD Executive Director Brian Armstrong, Ginger Bryant, Thomas Kennedy, Brooks Timmons, and Sandy Counts.
Senator Simpson
Crystal River Mayor Joe Meek
Superintendent of Citrus County Schools Sam Himmel
Dorothy Pernu of Duke Energy
Donors and Volunteers
Sea and Shoreline provided lunch which was prepared by John Jobe, Phil Cenatiempo, Peter Bockiaro, and Mike Brown. M&B Dairy provided delicious ice cream to cool the kids off.
Dedicated volunteers are crucial in the success of this event, showing support this year were Hailey Getzlaff, Wendy Pate, Ruthie Schlabach, Gail Bockiaro, Jenny Kuhlthau from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Cpt. Cariucci from Crystal River Fishing Adventures, Cater Henne from Sea & Shoreline, Howard Miller from Sea & Shoreline, and all of the teachers, staff, and parents from Crystal River Primary School who work all year to make this happen.
A special thank you as well to Officer Dearden, Officer Fischer, and Officer Robinson took time to stop by and show their support.
