Discover, Connect, Take Action
Girl Scouts of Palm Glades Council
Jupiter, Florida
The Florida Everglades agricultural area is the heart of the state’s sugarcane, rice and vegetable crops. In a period of 14 months during 2004 & 2005, the area was hit with 3 major hurricanes. In the Glades, farming is more than a source of income; it is a way of life. Successful crop harvests are due in large part to the Barn owl, who that would destroy these crops if left alone.
The hurricanes destroyed almost 90 percent of the nesting habitat for the Barn owl. Girl Scouts teaches DISCOVER, CONNECT, TAKE ACTION. The troops of the Palm Glades Council decided to undertake an all out effort to build new nesting boxes for the barn owls in order to protect their crops and the economy of the region. Scientists estimate that one pair of barn owls can reduce the rodent population by 1,500 per year. The council is constructing and placing enough barn owl nesting boxes in the area to eliminate an estimated 187,000 rodents per year! In the process, the Girl Scouts have gained community support for their efforts, donations of building supplies and volunteer help to transport the boxes to the needed areas. Because of their efforts, the use of pesticides has also been greatly reduced, thereby improving water and air quality for all.
“H2Owood Squares”
Jami Harper
Grand Island, Nebraska
Since the age of 15, Jami Harper has been involved in environmental protection, actively recycling items and speaking to groups about protecting water. In 2003, industrial solvents were found in the wells of many of her neighbors. While she could do nothing on her own to fix this problem, she did realize she could do something to educate others about the problem and the need for safe water.
Jami started an educational program to teach safe water practices to other students. To make it both memorable and fun, she designed an interactive quiz called “H2Owood Squares,” based on the TV game show Hollywood Squares, except all the questions are related to water facts and water protection. She even built her own set and took the show on the road to area schools and civic organizations. She was invited to lead a children’s workshop for the Groundwater Foundation and has addressed the national Groundwater Guardian conference. Jami also wrote an illustrated a children’s book on environmental protection and launched “water wizard” – an educational website.
In 2007, she was honored by Family Circle Magazine as one of 4 young people in the country named “Earth Angels” for environmental community service projects. Jami is now a sophomore at the University of Nebraska – Omaha, majoring in Architectural Engineering.
