[Coral-List] Education is the key!

[DeeVon Quirolo]

Reef Relief and many other conservation 
organizations have been educating students and 
other targeted audiences for years.  Our Coral 
Reef Teacher Guide by Wendy Weir is available 
online with complimentary slide shows, posters, 
and supporting materials.  Our school program has 
been introducing 4th grade students in the Keys 
to the coral reef ecosystem for the past 10 
years.  However, that alone will not build the 
political will to upgrade inadequate sewage, stop 
agricultural runoff, etc.  You need to get 
involved in the very unpopular strategy of policy 
guidance to make political change in the real 
world.  And most likely, you will lose funding 
and support from the very government agencies 
responsible for protecting coral reefs for speaking up for coral reefs.

DeeVon Quirolo, executive director, Reef Relief

At 07:29 AM 3/13/2006, Paul Stampfl wrote:

>Dear Members of this in the last weeks very interesting List,
>
>Educate the kids! (And as by-product their 
>parents) This is the most promising and probably 
>only solution available to change the mind frame.
>
>Important is that we “feed” the kids again and again (it’s like advertising)
>
>We should get the schools, the teachers and most 
>importantly the kids involved.
>
>For a start;
>
>Let’s put together a workshop (there might be 
>already enough suitable educational material out 
>there) and visit the schools.  I am sure there is one around your corner!
>
>One could set up a website adjusted to the needs 
>of the kids and the syllabus and accompany the 
>kids throughout the school year or school 
>career. Kids like competitions;    set out some 
>prizes and let them compete for it in a quiz (within and between schools)
>
>Important is, that they have a contact / a face 
>they can communicate with and (as a highlight) 
>talk to them personally from time to time.
>
>We could search for a mascot (Nemo is probably 
>already protected by some copyright law”. Run a 
>campaign where the kids (schools) have the 
>option to choose between different mascots, come 
>up with a name, let them paint 
 you get the point!
>
>This kind of effort would need some coordination 
>and will therefore raise a range of issues. - 
>What kind of administrative framework is 
>required? Who e.g. would host the website? Is it 
>necessary to set up a new (independent!) 
>platform? What is about the Kids that are not 
>blessed with high speed internet access? Sponsoring? etc.
>
>
>I am sure you have some input and answers.
>
>Paul
>
>
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