AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Hosting the 16th Annual Kids Ocean Day Florida event on April 18, the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Inc. welcomed students from South Woods Elementary School in Hastings, Fla., to an environmental education experience. Welcome to Anastasia State Park.
Sponsored by the Surfing Evolution and Preservation Foundation in partnership with Friends of A1A, collaborating community partners served as experts during the event. Students participated in round-robin workshop stations on topics such as birding and wildlife identification, conservation tips, trash talk, recycling strategies, responsible fishing and marine life management, and watershed identification and maintenance. was.
Friends of A1A President Bill McClure, himself a former educator, said: “We are proud to host this event each year to better educate the next generation of environmental stewards about the impact they have on their communities. I think so,” he said.
This event is free each year to select Title 1 schools in Flagler, St. Johns County, and is open to homeschool students.
“We are very fortunate to be able to raise funds to support this effort each year, and this year we are grateful to have sponsors who will cover almost the entire cost of the event.” Administrator Daniel Anderson said.
“We are honored to work with the Surfing Evolution and Preservation Foundation to expand our partnership and select this event to support their funding in 2024. Special thanks to our partners and Anastasia State Park for hosting us. Hearing students' stories and watching them interact directly with exhibitors will help positively shape their view of nature, the environment, and Florida's wildlife for years to come. It turns out to be a lesson learned. ”
Exhibitors at Kids Ocean Day Florida 2024: Coastal Conservation Association NEFL, Matanzas Riverkeeper, Tale Tellers of St. Augustine, St. Johns Regional Audubon, Marineland Dolphin Adventure, St. Johns County Solid Waste & Recycle St. Johns Programs, Volusia /Flagler Turtle Patrol, Florida State Park Ranger Program at Anastasia State Park, Friends of Anastasia State Park, and Fish Island Community Alliance.
