Students deliver lagoon message with Crystal Mills Lucas Jensen Beach teens also meet Gov. Rick Scott By Isadora Rangel isadora.rangel@scripps 772-221-4186 TALLAHASSEE— Jensen Beach High School students traveled Tuesday to the state Capitol to deliver a message to lawmakers: Do your part to save the Indian River Lagoon. The 11 students used what they have learned in their marine science class to brief legislators on issues affecting the state’s waterways — from the possibility of drilling oil in the Everglades to the need to build a bridge on the Tamiami Trail in Miami-Dade County to allow water to flow more easily into the Everglades. Environmental studies teacher Crystal Lucas’ course is based on Everglades restoration and the lagoon, and with last summer’s discharges into the St. Lucie River estuary, she decided to turn her students into advocates. Those students experienced firsthand the effects of the discharges. At times, they couldn’t swim in the river, and they were able to see the toxic algae that bloomed during those months. “It’s something we can’t procrastinate any longer,” said senior Zach Pieniadz. The students joined environmentalists at the Capitol lobbying for preservation of the state’s waterways on Everglades Day, organized by the Everglades Coalition. The Jensen Beach group had a brief encounter with Gov. Rick Scott — less than five minutes and enough time to shake hands with the Republican governor and pose for a group picture. They also met Sen. Joe Negron and Rep. Gayle Harrell, both Stuart Republicans, and other lawmakers, and they learned about the process of getting money for Everglades restoration, as well as its challenges, such as getting a majority of lawmakers on board. The Senate has proposed $224.8 million in Everglades and lagoon projects over the next three years. The House proposed $32.8 million less and the two chambers will have to reach common ground during budget negotiations. Lucas said the trip was a learning experience not only for students but also for lawmakers. “The students saw it is a process in which they have a voice,” Lucas said. “The politicians also got a lot out of it because the students had a lot of talking points.” Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, Naples Daily News and Tampa Tribune journalists are in Tallahassee reporting throughout the legislative session in a collaborative capital bureau.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:16:28 +0000
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