Hands-On Learning Making A Difference

On Wednesday morning, while many college students were in class with their heads buried in books, USF St. Petersburg students in this Environment Lab class were able to learn by doing.

Sam Henderson is often known for his role as Ward Four Council Member of the Gulfport City Council, but today he's known as teacher, leader and environmentalist. Henderson invited his class of 8 to Clam Bayou to help clean up the beaches and trails in the nature park. Seven students were able to make it including freshman Alex Martinez.

"It's amazing once you get back there," Martinez said. 

He alone found beer cans, plastic bottles, styrofoam and makeup.

In all, four students kayaked on the water and three walked the trails. After about 45 minutes cleaning up the bayou, students received a lecture from Brandt Henningsen with Southwest Florida Water Management District, SWFMD.

"Since 1987, there have been a series of restoration projects around the (Tampa) bay," Henningsen said

Henningsen went on to explain the two previous restoration projects that were completed in Clam Bayou. He brought several maps and photos to help show students that Clam Bayou was much different decades ago.

Henningsen said a third project is well underway on the St. Petersburg side of the bayou. The focus of the current construction project is to help treat storm water and restore the bayou's habitat. Once the project is complete, sediments should decrease dramatically and lagoons should become successful nurseries. Ditch's that have been around for decades will become an intricate creek system. The deepest of the three water treatment ponds will be 15 to 16 feet deep, helping filter runoff from nearby neighborhoods. The Phase 3 project broke ground April 2010 and is now 65 to 70% complete. It should be done by May or June of this year.

For a biologist, these changes are long overdue.

"I'm thrilled to death! This is a decade long dream," Henningsen said.

During his lecture, he explained the importance of taking care of Mother Nature. He said back in the day people did not do enough to preserve what we have in Florida. Now is the time to make a difference. He stressed that younger generations and voters can contact legislators and let them know how important it is to keep wildlife preserves and wildlife programs in Florida.

"Over the next 100 years, Tampa Bay should see a 3 foot rise above the current sea level." Henningsen said while we can't change those predictions, we can plan for the future.

Students seemed to soak in his message.

"You have to plan ahead and respect the future," Martinez said. 

Martinez is already planning to volunteer and plant greenery on March 12th on the St. Petersburg side of Clam Bayou. Noting that one person can make a difference.

Clam Bayou received special attention on Wednesday. Two hours after Henderson's class was dismissed, a group of volunteers, also with USF St. Petersburg came out for another clean up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.