The Problem
We want to fix the problem of the next generation being so absorbed with AI that they have lost connection with the natural world. Students will (as age appropriate) study, gather data, and generate listings of species,water quality,track pollinators, and (upper school) shall generate a cohesive report of their findings to be used in ongoing river protection efforts. Wekiva Island Junior Environmentalist Club debuts this academic year and shall be a part of the educational programming at Wekiva Island in years to come. Building off of data, providing our youth to play an active role in protecting a habitats in their own backyard, we will nurture the next generation of stewards for our world. Hopefully, they will grow up join the ranks of the adults who have organizations dedicated to the river.
Our Plan
Wekiva Island in Longwood, Florida there is a need to protect the river. As a designated National and Scenic River,it is a natural habitat for many species of endangered, threatened, or species of special concern( including the wood stork- federally endangered- and the bald eagle, little blue heron, tri-colored heron,and limpkin).There are also many plants that need protection from invasive species. Wekiva Island is dedicated to protecting the species inhabiting the riverside as well as flora and fauna residing within the river itself. The three pillars upheld by the Island are Sustainability,Education, and Art. To this end, Idea Bar and Wekiva Island have partnered up to facilitate a club in which students in grades K-12 learn about conservation, gather data regarding the species at the island,support the pollinator garden, and, overall, become stewards to protect the environment. The program is open homeschoolers as well as brick and mortar school-aged children. It is critical to nurture the next keepers of this glorious planet; children need to engage with all of the creatures and plants that make for healthy biospheres - and preserve life for future generations.
