SURFRIDER AIMS TO MAKE HISTORY WITH PADDLE TEXAS

Paddling 375 miles along the Texas Gulf Coast on a 12-foot long paddleboard may not be the easiest way to raise awareness about environmental issues on state beaches, but the Surfrider Foundation’s Paddle Texas event is definitely original.

Gene and Rachel Gore of South Padre Island will paddle their way along the Texas Gulf Coast in an effort to raise funds for the Surfrider Foundation’s Respect the Beach program, as well as to raise awareness about beach issues.

Starting on May 1, the Gores will begin at the mouth of the Rio Grande on the Texas and Mexico border and will end at the mouth of the Sabine River at the Texas and Louisiana border. They hope to make the entire 375-mile journey in 10 to 14 days, weather permitting.

"We’ve pretty much dedicated our lives to the ocean and the waves," said Rachel Gore, "The preservation and future of the beaches starts with the education of our children."

That’s just what the Surfrider Respect the Beach program is about. The program presents workbooks and teachers’ manuals to Texas schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Also, the foundation has presented information about beach issues to more than 2,500 students from fifth grade through graduate school.

The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches. Through events like Paddle Texas, Surfrider hopes to spread the word about beach conservation and protection from constant hazards like pollution and erosion. The Texas chapter of the foundation is also particularly interested in protecting beach-goers rights under the Open Beaches Act.

"Texas is one of the few states that has an Open Beaches Act that guarantees that people without front row beach access still have access at the beaches," said Ellis Pickett, secretary for the Texas chapter of Surfrider. Pickett added that Galveston has looked the other way regarding many violations of this act with no parking or tow away signs.

Rachel Gore said they have been thinking about doing something like this for years and that the two are in the water everyday surfing and swimming, so they are well prepared for their journey. Gene Gore has worked for the Galveston Beach Patrol, as a lifeguard in Hawaii, and has been surfing for over 25 years. He built the paddleboard that they will be using himself. The board, built specifically for paddling and not for surfing, is equipped with the latest technology including a global positioning system. Supporters can even track their progress on the Surfrider website (www.Surfrider.org/texas) where the Gores hope to post a daily journal, photos, and a map to show their progress.

They plan to take turns paddling one hour each for 8 to 10 hours a day and they will be escorted by boats and land vehicles where possible, tough they are in need of more volunteers to help escort. The Gores will be camping out along the way.

Pickett said they are in the process of filling out the paperwork for the Guinness book of world records where the Paddle Texas event might make world history.

ORGANIC SOLVENT IN THE EDWARDS AQUIFER

The Edwards Aquifer Authority has reported that water samples from a domestic well in Leon Valley contained a volatile organic compound (VOC) at concentrations above safe drinking-water levels. The VOC detected in the private well, tetrachloroethene (PCE), is a man-made solvent commonly used in dry cleaning, metal degreasing, and other industrial processes and does not naturally occur in water. The drinking water standard for PCE is set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 5.0 micrograms per liter, but samples from the impacted well are in the 20 micrograms per liter range.

The Edwards Aquifer is one of the largest and most important karst aquifer systems in the United States, a large part of which is located in the San Antonio area from a groundwater divide near Brackettville in Kinney County, Texas to a groundwater divide near Kyle in Hays County. The aquifer serves as the water source for approximately 1.7 million people in an area covering over 180 miles and is also a major source of water for agriculture and industry.

The aquifer is also the sole-source of water for a unique system of aquatic life, including several threatened and endangered species.

The contaminated well is located south of the Edwards Aquifer recharge and transition zones and withdraws water from the confined zone. Although the
source of the contamination has not been identified, The Edwards Aquifer Authority says it is probably entering the aquifer through an abandoned or improperly constructed well. The authority is continuing to investigate until the source is identified and the problem is solved.

TRAINING DAY: TEXAS MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING NETWORK
April 24, 2004, Stranding Network, Galveston, TX 4/17/04

The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, (TMMSN) founded in 1980, is a network of more than 2,000 volunteers dedicated to understanding and conserving marine mammals that strand along the Texas Gulf Coast. In 1996, TMMSN responded to 217 mammal strandings on the Texas coast. Of the 15 mammals found alive during 1995 - 1996, nine were successfully
rehabilitated. TMMSN is the only agency licensed under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to handle stranded marine mammals - dead or alive - on the Texas Gulf Coast.

The next Volunteer Orientation and Training Day(s) for Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network for 2004 are scheduled on April 24, July 10, and Sept 18. Participants will see a demonstration mock stranded dolphin, learn how to handle stranded dolphins and learn basic dolphin anatomy and physiology. For those interested in learning more about Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, summer camps, and to volunteer contact (409) 740-4455.
http://www.tmmsn.org

TEXAS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Nature Conservancy, 4/19/04

The Nature Conservancy of Texas' education program consist of lessons and activities for elementary through 12th-grade students, 4-H Club and Scout groups, college students, teachers and adult programs.

Field trips and activities provide experience and education in the diversity of Texas resources. There are several preserves around the state where we conduct hands-on activities in the field. Through field trips and activities in a living laboratory, students learn about the area's unique natural features and about why conservation is important. For more information about the Texas Education Programs visit:
http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/texas/explore/art8829.html

KODAK AMERICAN GREENWAYS GRANTS
Application deadline: June 1, 2004

The Greenways Awards Program, a partnership of the Eastman Kodak Company, the Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America. Grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project, including planning, technical or legal assistance, and other costs. The maximum grant award is $2,500, although most grants will range from $500 to $1,500.
http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2372

THE WILD GIFT
Application deadline: June 1, 2004

The Wild Gift provides exceptional youth, ages 18-30, an experience in deep wilderness and encourages commitment to a self-designed leadership project that will benefit the human and natural community. The 17-month program is provided to Wild Gift recipients at no cost.
http://www.wildgift.org

CANON ENVIROTHON

Annual competition for high school students throughout North America, designed as a way to teach kids about environmental education. The best teams from 47 states and Canadian provinces compete at a summer play-off during July or August on a selected topic. To expose students to diverse environmental issues, ecosystems, and topography, a different state or province hosts the Canon Envirothon each year. In addition to the actual competition, the event also includes social, cultural, and educational activities organized by the Canon Envirothon Host Committee.
http://www.envirothon.org/competition/Canon2004/index.htm

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY TEACHER GRANTS
Application Deadline: June 10, 2004

The foundation provides grants to educators to facilitate their work in the classroom, school, district, and community. This year, projects will be funded in either of two broad categories: Promoting Stewardship of Cultural and Natural Resources, and Promoting Geographic Knowledge Through Education. The foundation plans to make approximately $100,000 available, in grants of up to $5,000 each. Applications may be submitted by a single teacher or by a project team leader on behalf of a group.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/education/teacher_community/get_grant.html

CONSUMER GUIDE DETAILS ILLS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMON PRODUCTS

A free online consumer guide published in March by the Worldwatch Institute describes the environmental, social, and health harms associated with a wide range of products, including appliances, baby products, DVDs, clothing, cell phones, and food. The guide takes a behind the scenes look at how products are made, and offers simple advice and alternatives that enable people to reduce some of the ills associated with the things they buy.
For each product, the guide also describes successful efforts by governments, businesses, and nonprofit groups around the world to reduce negative impacts associated with common products.
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/goodstuff

NEW REPORT IN PARKS FOR PEOPLE SERIES

The Trust For Public Land’s Parks for People initiative works in cities across America to ensure that everyone--in particular every child--enjoys access to a park, playground, or open space. A new Parks for People report by Peter Harnik, director of TPL's Center for City Park Excellence, highlights the need for parks in Newark, New Jersey. The report's release follows by several months the publication of TPL's Parks for People white paper, which makes the case for new city parks nationwide. Upcoming Parks for People publications will focus on other US cities.
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=13843&folder_id=175

A HANDBOOK FOR ACTIVISTS

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, Wilderness Forever has created a handy-dandy guide to taking action. Learn how to draft your own action letters, organize enjoyable activism events, and get in touch with local media.
To obtain your own tree-free version of the guide:
http://www.wildernessforever.org/action/index.html
Learn more about the Wilderness Act:
http://www.wilderness.org/OurIssues/Wilderness/act.cfm

CONSERVATION ACROSS BOUNDARIES EDUCATION COURSE

Conservation Across Boundaries’s Enhancing Wildlife Conservation through Education is a fully-funded, two-week course for junior and senior high school science teachers. The course is being held June 12-25, 2004. To download a brochure and application, visit www.boone-crockett.org, http://www.eih.uh.edu/education/bboard/cabflyer_2004_small.pdf or contact Selma Glasscock, Welder Wildlife Foundation, selmaglass@aol.com for more information. Application deadline: March 30, 2004. $125 application fee.

SEASIDE CLUB BECKONS TO TEXAS TEACHERS

Texas A&M University's Marine Advisory Service (MAS) will be hosting two development workshops for Texas educators on the environment, and natural resources in Texas and the Gulf Coast. Participates who are teachers, science curriculum specialists, or department heads working in public and private schools are encouraged to register. Training sessions for elementary school educators are June 28-30; training for secondary school educators will take place July 7-9. For more information or to enroll, contact (979) 863-2940 or email lbeach@neo.tamu.edu.

EPA SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

The EPA Summer Opportunities for Students website is now up and running. The site provides a web portal through which students may enter to learn about EPA programs, offices, and summer employment opportunities. They also will be able to submit a job application directly to the EPA location where there is a vacancy.
http://www.epa.gov/ohros/student