Palm Harbor Scouts Raising Awareness Of Practice That Harms Owls

PALM HARBOR, FL – A group of Palm Harbor Girl Scouts are determined to raise awareness of a common practice that is endangering Florida’s owl population.

Girl Scout Cadettes Jilian Boswell, Amelia Walton and Maddie Wright, members of Troop 1019 in Palm Harbor, have launched a campaign to publicize the danger that rat poison poses to this feathered friend.

The girls, all middle school students, were searching for an environmental project to earn their Silver Award in Scouting when Barb Walker of Palm Harbor, their Scout adviser and the president of the Clearwater Audubon Society, gave them a suggestion.

“She told us how the rodenticides that people put out to get rid of rats and mice are hurting beneficial raptors and other animals in the environment,” said Boswell. The National Audubon Society has its own ongoing campaign about the dangers of rodenticides.

Owls in particular are critical to controlling the rodent population, the 12-year-old explained.

“One owl eats about 1,000 rats and mice a year,” she said. “But some of these rats and mice have been poisoned with rodenticides. When the owls and other wildlife eat them, they get sick and die, too.”

Walker provided the background information and incentive. The girls took it from there, launching their project, Owl Be Wise.

They started an Owl Be Wise Facebook group on Jan. 5, and have already attracted 90 members. The site also includes a Moveon.org petition to remove harmful rodenticides from store shelves.

But the girls didn't stop there.

They created fliers and business cards and made 1,000 peppermint soaps in the shape of owls to hand out to raise awareness. They are also designing an Owl Be Wise website and they formed a partnership with the local Home Depot to build nesting boxes for barn owls to encourage growth in the raptor population.

“We’re always doing owl projects,” Boswell said.

The girls have also done quite a bit of research into alternatives to rodenticides, which they share on their Facebook page.

“We went to store and found some poisons and traps you can use that won’t harm owls,” said Bowell.

Additionally, they developed a non-toxic items residents can use to prevent rodent infestations such as the peppermint oil that they added to their homemade soaps.

“It’s important to remove the food sources and habitats like invasive ivy that attracts rats,” Boswell said. “And don’t leave pet food out; make sure your garbage bags are tied up and garbage cans kept closed; and pick up bird seed waste.”

For those interested in learning more, drop by the girls’ booth at the grand opening of Moccasin Lake Nature Park in Clearwater on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (See related story).

Images via Jilian Boswell

Girl Scout Cadettes Jilian Boswell, Amelia Walton and Maddie Wright started the Owl Be Wise campaign.

As part of their project, the Girl Scouts made soaps in the shape of owls scented with peppermint oil, which repels rodents.

The girls created fliers to pass out that explains the danger to owls and offers alternatives.

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