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Note
From the Executive Director
 Last weekend I had the opportunity
to see a favorite band play at a restaurant
on the Causeway. Waiting for the music
to start, I sat outside and watched the
sun go down over the skyline of downtown
Mobile. As I ate my seafood dinner at
the table, a baby alligator swam up to
the dock and proceeded to enthrall everyone
outside. Soon a second alligator joined
the first, no doubt waiting for someone
to drop a morsel of food into the water
(not a recommended practice, by the way).
As I watched these two creatures set against
the backdrop of the setting sun, I was
struck by a thought: those of us lucky
enough to live in South Alabama are in
a unique position: we have all the conveniences
of living in a metropolitan area, but
we are also situated in the middle of
a vast wilderness. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta
to our North truly embodies the meaning
of the word "wild"- there are
miles and miles of rivers to paddle and
explore, and not a few wild animals, such
as alligators, bears, snakes and countless
species of birds. To our South lies the
Gulf of Mexico and an ocean that has inspired
explorers both historic and present-day
to take to the seas in search of adventure
and wild places. The fact that I can get
in my car, drive less than 10 miles and
eat dinner with an alligator is truly
an extraordinary occurrence that you won't
find in many places. Henry David Thoreau
once wrote, "In wilderness is the
preservation of the world". I think
he may be on to something! My perfect
evening on the Causeway has inspired in
me a fresh commitment to spend more time
in the wild learning about our ecosystem
and searching for my own brand of adventure.
I hope you will do the same.
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| Study
Shows Environmental Education Leads to Higher
Test Scores
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 Last month, officials from the
Gulf of Mexico Alliance met with partners from
Gulf of Mexico border states to review results
from a study on the effect of environmental education
on science testing scores in school age children.
Student groups in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida
were part of a year-long pilot study involving
a minimum of three field exercises in and around
their coastal environment. Activities included
water quality testing, wetland conservation and
nutrient monitoring in waterways. The results?
In Texas, test scores relating to science increased
a whopping 74 percent, followed by Florida’s
increase of 41 percent and an increase of nine
percent in Louisiana. In addition to increasing
test scores, Environmental Education is effective
at developing critical thinking and problem solving
skills by encouraging analysis of the world around
us. Building on a natural interest in our surroundings,
environment-based education keeps students motivated
which leads to greater overall achievement. The
evidence is clear – environmental education
results in better overall education.
| Share
Your Opinions in an Environmental Focus
Group
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The
Gulf of Mexico Alliance is seeking individuals
ages 18 and older who want to contribute
to an environmental awareness campaign to
discuss environmental issues in the area.
Participants will be compensated for their
time.
Where: Five Rivers Delta Resources
Center, Spanish Fort, Alabama
When:
2 hours on August 11, 12 and 13th
Contact: Amy King at 251-621-1216
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ACF
Project Featured in Mobile Bay Monthly |
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 ACF staff and volunteers recently completed
a Rain Garden Demonstration Site at Tanner
Williams Elementary School in Wilmer, AL.
The project was funded by the 5 Star Restoration
Grant and was featured in the July issue
of Mobile Bay Monthly. Local partners included
the Mobile County School System, Mobile
Msster Gardeners and the Mobile County Commission.
Read
the article here.
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Stay
Cool and Support ACF |
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 New T-Shirts
are here! Designed by local artist Ricky
Trione, the short sleeve T-shirts are
available in a variety of colors featuring
either our exclusive Shrimp or brand new
Mullet designs. Show your support for
conservation and look great doing it!
ACF merchandise can be purchased by calling
990-6002 or at the Fairhope office.
Brand New Mullet Design- Available
in Teal, Blue, Grey or Cream
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Did
You Know?
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•That
Alabama, while ranked only 25th in land
area among all US states—is fifth
in terms of biodiversity?
•That approximately one-twelfth of
all the water that flows into the oceans
from the lower 48 United States flows through
Alabama?
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