Gulf Coast Bay Buddy
Check out our 2011 Bay Buddy Artwork!
We are excited to announce that the new and improved Gulf Coast Bay Buddy Program is now available for FREE for all schools in Mobile, Baldwin and Washington Counties. New cartoon characters teach students about stormwater, litter, conservation, and oyster reef restoration. ACF staff and partners have also created a teacher toolkit featuring lesson plans that adhere to statewide standards.
Illustrations by Betsy Walker
What is Bay Buddy?
Bay Buddy is an educational enrichment program provided at no cost to 1st through 4th grade classes in South Alabama. The goal of the program is to teach basic ecology and conservation concepts to students with a focus on the link between human activities and the environment. The program includes a school visit and presentation from a trained volunteer or staff member, accompanying teacher materials with standards alignment and activity booklets for each student reinforcing presentation themes.
To sponsor schools in your community or to schedule a visit to your school or community group, email gbelou@joinacf.org. Limited availability.
How can I help?
If you like working with children and can speak in public, you can teach kids to Be a Gulf Coast Bay Buddy! Bay Buddy Volunteers give 45 minute presentations about coastal conservation to classes of 1st through 4th graders. This program uses both interactive components and a Power Point presentation featuring coastal animals to teach basic conservation principles such as water and energy conservation, recycling, and putting litter in its place.
All volunteers are required to attend a training session on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00am or 5:30pm. Volunteers will be accompanied by an ACF staff member for their first presentation and will be required to visit at least 4 classes over the course of the school year. If you are interested in becoming a Bay Buddy volunteer, call 251.990.6002 or email gbelou@joinACF.org.
