When it comes to Earth Day, Whispering Pines Elementary students in Boca Raton, Florida don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. Recently, upon learning that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is recommending that manatees be downlisted, the students decided to take action.

The students organized a campaign to write to Florida Governor Jeb Bush. “They wanted to tell Governor Bush just how important manatees are to them and everyone,” says BJ Saul, Earth Day Coordinator for the school.

The Whispering Pines students have a personal connection to manatees. Last year, when their Earth Day theme was Endangered Animals in Florida, the school decided to adopt Flicker, an adult female manatee who lives in the wild and is frequently seen in Tampa Bay. As part of their 2006 Earth Day Activities, the students decided to renew Flicker’s adoption.

The students work on their letters to Florida Governor Jeb Bush. (Photo courtesy of BJ Saul)

Flicker received her name because propeller scars on her back reminded researchers of flickering flames, and the students wanted to do their part to make sure she would be safe. “The students love how gentle and kind manatees are with their babies and with each other,” says Saul. “They like Flicker because they feel she has been through so much and still survived. They think she is a remarkable manatee.”

Letters to the governor included the following comments:

“I feel sad because they are getting run over,” wrote one student.

”Manatees can’t get away because they are slow,” stated another.

And Michael, a fifth grade student wrote, ”What’s more important, an endangered species or going fast on a boat? I understand it is fun, but manatees are almost gone. Once gone, we can’t get them back.”

“As an educator, I feel it is important to teach our students to stand up for what they believe in and to make their voices heard,” says Saul. “In holding the writing campaign, the students learned the importance of taking action to save their environment.”

This year’s Earth Day theme was Hurricanes and Plants – another topic that hit close to home after the students experienced the destruction of Hurricane Wilma in 2005 – and the school held numerous activities to promote environmental awareness.

“I work with fantastic teachers who are excited to participate in enrichment and educational activities with their students,” says Saul. “The goal is to teach our students the importance of all living things and the need to conserve, recycle, and replenish the Earth.”

Flicker is a manatee adopted by Whispering Pines Elementary School. She was named because researchers thought the scars on her back resembled flickering flames. In the winter, Flicker hangs out at Tampa Electric Company's (TECO) power plant in Apollo Beach, Florida. Besides visiting the TECO plant, Flicker also makes trips across the bay to the Florida Progress plant in Bartow.

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