Rotary Happenings: Harris awards top Rotary agenda
We had a full agenda at last week’s Rotary meeting, and although not timed to coincide with the arrival of our early-bird snowbirds, the activities reminded them that our club members stay active during the summer months. It took about twenty minutes to get through our regular meeting rituals and then on to special award presentations from the club.
Rotary International’s Paul Harris award was created in memory of Paul Harris who established the Rotary Club over 106 years ago and it is the highest award presented by the Club. Its purpose is to acknowledge the outstanding contributions and exceptional service of members of both the community and/or the club.
Past president Alex Werner presented Paul Harris awards to Don Russell received his third Paul Harris Award, adorned with three sapphire stones. Rotary International Paul Harris Medallions went to Bill Rahe (three-time Paul Harris Award recipient) and newly transferred Rotary member Brian Boyd (one-time Paul Harris Award recipient). Last week the club presented Rotarian John Danner with his second Paul Harris award for continuing his SERVICE ABOVE SELF involvement with the Rotary’s Wheelchair Foundation.
Club membership chair Janet Strickland then got her turn to recognize John Pryor and Scot Congress for bringing in new Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club members this year, each receiving a designated color shield backer for their membership pin.
Our club also welcomed CROW’s (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) marketing director Carie Beeman for the presentation of a $5,500 check Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club sponsorship of Taste of the Islands. A separate announcement will be made regarding this donation.
Certainly not forgotten and graciously allowing us this time for presentations, our guest speaker for the morning was Dr. Bruce Neil, executive director and co-founder of Sanibel Sea School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to marine conservation through transformative education with a focus on teaching the wonders of the sea to children and adults alike.
Bruce tells us his true passion is teaching, and hopes he will be able to provide his students with a lifetime of discovery and passion for ocean stewardship. Bruce walks the talk and certainly has become one of our areas leading environmental leaders.
Bruce serves as the local president of START (Solutions to Avoid Red Tide, Inc.) and really spoke to us in that regard. There are still red tide outbreaks and they are extremely challenging to study because of their size and distance from shore, so START has broaden their scope beyond just red tide.
START is now focused on finding better understanding of why things happen and what solutions can prevent additional problems for the future…they are now using electronic reporting systems of ocean and beach conditions, water monitoring, the study of sea bird population diseases (CROW playing a vital role in this), education programs regarding good environmental practices and explaining the harm of lawn and shrub fertilizers to the environment.
Bruce had a very positive message for all of usthings are looking much better for the water quality here in Lee Countyin the past water releases from Lake Okeechobee down the Caloosahatchee River caused major damage to water quality in the area. The good news is the US Army Corps of Engineers have not and are not planning on the continuance of water releases from the lake. The remaining water quality issues are from inland drainage into the river. That can be solved with local government involvement.
More good newswe are now seeing a return of brown pelicans to the area. This took some time but they are now flying over the causeway, once again. Solutions come slowly but don’t despairgood stewardship of our environment will provide solutions and careful study by dedicated biologists; other scientists and environmentalists will find a way to solve and correct some of our problems planning a future, while looking at the past.
START wants to encourage the city of Sanibel to ban the use of plastic bags on the island. They are encouraging islanders to consider changing to solar hotwater heaters. START would also like people to be aware of where their markets or restaurants are buying their fish. Buy from participating partners in the sustainable seafood movement. Sustainable seafood is described as when the population of that species of fish is managed in a way that provides for today’s needs without damaging the ability of the species to reproduce and be available for future generations. Watch how you dispose of your plastic fishing lines.
The sum up is think, think, think about how you can provide a healthy environment for future generations. START now and there will be a future. START is having a major fundraising event: CRACKERFEST on the grounds behind Ralph Woodring’s BAITBOX ,Sanibel, Friday, Nov. 14. Go have some fun and learn about START.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary meets 7 a.m. every Friday morning at the Dunes, Sanibel. Guests are always invited.