Pensacola Students get Hands Wet Aboard Floating Classroom

ABOARD THE AMERICAN STAR - Today, Pensacola youth got their hands wet aboard a floating classroom as Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary David B. Struhs launched a new educational component to Project GreenShores, a community-based habitat restoration program.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and National Water Quality Monitoring Day, youth from the Pensacola Front Porch Community and YMCA after-school program joined Secretary Struhs aboard the 65-foot American Star to sample water quality along the Green-Shores man-made reef in Pensacola Bay.

"Collecting water quality data is the first important step towards managing Florida's water resources through a science-based approach," said Secretary Struhs. "Volunteer involvement in these activities not only fosters environmental stewardship in communities, but also helps agencies identify and restore those waters in need of protection."

As part of today's educational event, state biologists introduced students to scientific water sampling techniques by measuring bay water for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and salinity. Budding biologists also learned to analyze results, operate crab traps and identify marine life. Additionally, the Greenshores program focused on the project's progress, the benefits of improved water quality and marsh habitats, the need for seagrass restoration and the importance of environmental conservation.

This year, DEP chose to highlight Pensacola's Project Greenshores as part of National Water Quality Monitoring Day because of the community's environmental leadership. Designed to protect seagrasses and plants from wave damage, the Project Greenshores reef serves as the foundation for nearly 3 acres of oyster habitat along the Bayfront Parkway. This model project aids marine habitat restoration efforts and, when complete, may be the world's largest continual man-made reef. With cash and in-kind donations exceeding $1.7 million and over $1 million in grant money, Project Greenshores is supported by DEP, the Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program, the city of Pensacola, and Escambia County.

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