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August 2002
If you happen to be at the beach this summer, you’re not alone. Travel agencies expect more than 34 million people to travel this summer and of those surveyed, 34 percent said they are going to the beach. But there’s more going on there than just sunbathing and picnicking. The August issue of LAND, SEA & AIR MAIL reveals some of the animals that live along our shorelines year round.
Kindergarten to third grade students’ activities include creating “beach books” and singing a song about stingrays. Fourth to eighth grade students explore beach ecology with a beach transect study and a sand analysis.
With most schools on vacation this month, we’re highlighting a beach-monitoring project organized through the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary off California. Students and teachers from six schools in the San Francisco area have been spending time at the local beaches gathering data on sand crab populations. Learn more about this long-term baseline study at the “sandcrabs” Web site.
Teaching about the environment is not always easy. Do you know a teacher who’s figured out a unique way to inspire students, communicate concepts, or encourage exploration? What about a school that has dedicated itself to a project? We want to hear about them. Use our easy entry form to nominate your favorite school or teacher.
Julie's Journal
Julie steps out onto the beach to reflect on “The Sands of Time.”
Are you a sand connoisseur? Then check out these sand collectors Web sites:
Visit the expert Dr. Beach as he travels the world in search of the best beaches.
The Environmental Protection Agency has many suggestions for keeping beaches clean…even if you live hundreds of miles away.
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/goer2.html
For those that live near beaches:
Keep track of your trash! Throw it away properly. And for good measure, pick up a few pieces others have carelessly dropped. Participate in local “clean the beach” campaigns.
Be aware of storm drains and measure to help improve the quality of runoff water flowing to the beach. Clean up after your pet, correctly dispose of used car oil, wash your car with environmentally friendly cleaners, and increase the use of natural “pesticides” and fertilizers in your yard are just a few ways to help.
For those that live far from beaches:
Rivers and streams eventually return to the ocean, some carrying many pollutants and containments along with water. Surf Your Watershed and Adopt Your Watershed are two nationwide programs that help focus efforts directed toward reducing pollution before it reaches our shorelines.
Created for Earthday, but good all year, the EPA’s “Fifteen Things You Can Do to Make a Difference in Your Watershed” offers tips for learning about local watersheds, becoming active in preserving them, and increasing public awareness about watershed and water quality issues.
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COMING
NEXT MONTH Learning to read is one of the most important (and challenging!) skills for young students. The September issue of LAND, SEA & AIR MAIL goes back to school with great activities and reading lessons for students at the preschool through third grade levels. |
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SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database
http://www.seaworld.org/ / http://www.buschgardens.org/©2003 Busch Entertainment Corporation.
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