Local Girl Scout launches artificial reef

     Release Date: 6/28/2006
     Press Contact: Lori Sullivan 954-739-7660, ext. 219
     
     Local Girl Scout launches artificial reef
     Ambitious two-phase Gold Award Project addresses natural reef deterioration
     
     NORTH MIAMI, FL --- As many 17-year olds spend their summer searching out the perfect swim suit, scouring the malls and scanning the beaches – one local Girl Scout has her sights set on a bigger cause. Senior Girl Scout, Rebecca Schultz, will share her hand-made artificial reef, and the impact on the waterways with the community, on Sunday, July 9 at Oleta River State Park in North Miami.
     
     Schultz is currently enrolled in an environmental science magnet program at South Plantation High School in Plantation. She is an avid scuba diver and has a great love for the outdoors. In July 2004, Schultz was selected to attend a Girl Scouts “Destination” trip for older girls, entitled “Scuba Michigan” where she learned to scuba dive and explored the waterways and various underwater habitats. That was just the beginning.
     
     As she learned more, Schultz became deeply concerned with the deterioration of the natural reefs along out costal waterways. She wanted to help restore ailing coal reefs and maintain marine life. As a life-long Girl Scout, she embarked on her Gold Award project that would combine her interests in environmental sciences, her hobby of scuba diving and her knack for teaching. When Schultz decided to make the artificial reef her Gold Award project she turned to three local agencies for their expertise: Reef Innovations, the Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) of Miami-Dade and the Oleta River State Recreation Area.
     
     The first phase of her project was the creation and deployment of the artificial reef balls in the waterways surrounding the park and two miles offshore at Golden Beach. Schultz began in May 2005 after speaking with representatives from the agencies and completing her Gold Award application. She learned about concrete and made the large concrete balls (ranging in size from 400 - 2,000 lbs.) at the park. The second phase will be the monitoring and recording process of the deployed reef balls as well as the development of the education program for students to learn how to help our waterways and how artificial reefs play a huge role in the effort.
     
     Schultz has created a comprehensive learning tool for students (and other Girl Scouts) ages 13-17 with her artificial reef balls and her research on their progress. Her Gold Award project will serve as a destination for student field trips and future environmental projects. The first program will be her own hands-on curriculum called “Help Our Waterways the Artificial Reef Way” designed for Girl Scouts on July 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Girls are invited to visit the reef, learn about GPS systems, make their own mini-artificial reef and meet professionals working to protect our environment everyday.
     
     Schultz applied and received a $2,500 grant, entitled “Linking Girls to the Land,” from the Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA). She received a second $4,500 grant from the Reefball Foundation. These grant funds helped pay for training, molds, permits, supplies (i.e. concrete), underwater monitoring apparatus (i.e. video cameras), snorkeling equipment and additional teaching and program materials. A representative from GSUSA will be on hand on July 9 to take part in the program and watch this Gold Award project come to life.
     
     The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a girl member can earn. The Gold Award project requires a strong, long-term commitment, a pre-approved plan, adult advisor, must address an expressed need and be able to carry on after completion with a far-reaching and significant effect on our community. Prior to beginning the Gold Award project, Senior Girl Scouts complete four prerequisites including four Interest Projects, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership, and the Senior Challenge. Then after all that, they spend a minimum of 50 hours carrying their projects from conception to completion.
     
     Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make this world a better place. Girl Scouts of Broward County, Inc. serves more than 9,100 girls and 4,500 adult volunteers. To learn more about the Girl Scouts of Broward County, including information about registering your girl, adult volunteering or public support opportunities visit www.browardgirlscouts.org or call 954-739-7660.
     
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     Attn Media for on-site coverage: Oleta River State Park is located at: 3400 N.E. 163rd Street, North Miami, FL 33160. Contact the Park at 305-919-1846. Park near the “Pelican Pavilion” for best access. To schedule an interview with Rebecca Schultz (phone or on-site), contact Lori Sullivan at 954-739-7660, ext. 219 or lsullivan@browardgirlscouts.org.