Narrated by Jeremy Irons, here is a clip from the “mockumentary”, The Majestic Plastic Bag.
May 22 is National Maritime Day
May 18, 2011 by 1 Comment
In observance of the anniversary of the first transatlantic voyage on May 22, 1933, Congress has set aside this day to recognize those in the maritime industry.
The North American Marine Environmental Protection Agency (NAMEPA) and the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) are teaming up for their fourth National Maritime Day celebration next week in D.C.
At the National Press Club on Monday, May 23rd there will be a seminar, “Safety at Sea”, focusing on environmental intelligence in shipping. Later that day will be a National Maritime Day dinner and awards presentation.
This year’s celebration is particularly special now that NAMEPA is over 100 members strong! Click here if you’d like to learn more or are interested in becoming a partner.
Not in D.C.?
For some festivities remotely you will want to check out these virtual exhibits celebrating life at sea from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. You can get the narrative of an English sea captain from 1680 or hear ‘Away Rio’ a little diddy about an outward-bound chantey filled with sailors facing homesickness and other hardships.
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Linda Thornton, an inspiring aquaculturist on a mission for sustainability
May 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment
If you’ve got some spare time this weekend, take some time to enjoy this fantastic documentary of one woman’s quest to transform shrimp aquaculture practices. Andrew Revkin of the New York Times helped produce this 16 minute documentary of Linda Thornton, a biologist who uprooted herself from her home in Illinois to Belize, and set out to farm shrimp in a sustainable manner (for instance, without antibiotics). It is quite a story, filled with some sad moments as well as uplifting ones. She partners up with the World Wildlife Fund in an effort to create the first set of standards for sustainable aquaculture and is trying to get folks in the US to adopt the practices as well. Please enjoy and share your impressions of her quest. I find the most fascinating parts of the video to be the overview of her aquaculture facility and how it all fits together.
Everybody do the ‘Stingray Shuffle’
May 10, 2011 by 1 Comment
Staying safe at the beach this summer can mean more than just applying liberal amounts of sunscreen. If you are going to be visiting the southeastern United States you may want to try the ‘stingray shuffle’ to avoid a venomous injection from a stingray. A stingray’s main defense is it’s barb which they arc up over their backs and strike in a manner similar to scorpions. Stingrays are docile creatures and do not want to use this defense tactic. Since stingrays are found mostly on the ocean floor it is best to drag your feet lightly and do the ‘sting ray shuffle’ to warn stingrays that you are approaching. If you do get jabbed, hot water can help in the short term. But it is best to seek professional medical attention.
Here is a video from the National Geographic YouTube Channel to teach you some more about stingrays.
‘I’m a Manatee’ by John Lithgow
May 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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Back in 2003 Janice Nearing, Media Relations Coordinator with Save the Manatee, interviewed John Lithgow about his new book I’m a Manatee. Here is an excerpt (click here for the full interview).
Q: Your new book, I’m a Manatee, has a Seuss-ian feel to it, with rhyming verses and fun illustrations. Does your playful side make it easy for you to write children’s’ stories?
A: I think everybody has a playful side, but kids especially. My book writing grew out of entertaining kids, the best audience an actor could hope for. They bring the playful side out in me.
Q: As you know, manatees are an endangered species. Do you consider yourself an environmentalist?
A: I’m very concerned for the future of the earth and its amazing creatures. We’ve got to be careful and make sure we don’t foul our own nest. But I also have a lot of faith in people.
Q: Your book portrays the manatee as a noble creature in the face of countless human-created dangers.
A: The manatee is such a wonderful animal, gentle, graceful, a little comical. It’s important for everyone to know all about them.
Q: If you were a manatee, what message would you have for humanity?
A: Take care, be kind, be considerate of other people and other species, and be loving.
2003
Yes, this is the same man that won an Emmy for his portrayal as the ‘Trinity Killer’ on Dexter.
Related link:
How to win a game of Survivor if stranded on a beach
May 9, 2011 by 6 Comments
While I am not here to tell you how to form alliances, I can mention some edible seaside plants found along the Atlantic coast. These include: Sea rocket, sea lettuce, prickly pear, bull thistle, dewberry and winged sumac. You can eat the blackberries of the dewberry with milk and honey. For a refreshingly cool drink soak winged sumac in cool water for 15 minutes. Devour the sweet pulp of the prickly pear after you peel away the skin. Add the leaves of sea rocket and sea lettuce to a fresh seaside salad. Lastly, gorge on the stems of the bull thistle (of course, only after you’ve removed the thorns!).
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May is National Wetlands Month
May 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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In 1991 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared May to be National Wetlands Month. They set aside the day to celebrate the economic and ecological value of wetlands and educate America of the natural resource. Throughout the country events take place to encourage you to learn more about wetlands and take action to restore them. Whether your neighborhood wetland is a swamp, bog or tidal marsh these areas are vital filtration and storage areas, as well as, nursery grounds to continue biological productivity in our local watersheds and beyond. Unfortunately these areas are threatened and their biggest enemy is mankind. According to the EPA, “Urban and rural development is now the leading cause of wetland loss, accounting for nearly 60% of freshwater wetland loss nationally.” Good news though is that on April 27, 2011 Lisa Jackson (Administrator of the EPA) work with others to get the Obama administration recommitted to recognizing the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds.
Surf Your Watershed is a great place to find out if there is a local organization dedicated to protecting your local wetland.
Angela loves sea turtles as well as cats!
May 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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Anglea Kinsey does a wonderful job of being compassionate to the feline population as she plays the role of Angela Martin on the show ‘The Office’. But did you know she also demonstrates equal sympathy for the plight of sea turtles as a spokesperson for Oceana?
Back in December, Angela Kinsey and Racheal Harris (The Hangover) joined up with Oceana for a campaign to get “Sea Turtles Off the Hook!” It is a focused on asking folks to reassess commonly used fishing gear because they may be harmful to sea turtles. She gently reminds us all to “Cut down on your use of plastic shopping bags because many end up in the ocean. If you’re at a beach where there are sea turtles, just let them be. And don’t throw trash out on the street near coastlines. Pick it up!”
Beyond Angry Birds
May 6, 2011 by 1 Comment
Not too long ago I heard a story on the radio raving about how well folks are transitioning children books to iPad apps. Basically what it is expanding upon is the idea that if your kiddo is going to be entertained with an iPad why not have them explore something that is enriching? A little edu-tainment never hurt anyone.
Take a look! I recommend Oceanhouse Media which has apps from the Smithsonian as well as rights to the entire Dr. Suess collection (including my favorite, The Lorax). Also Scholastic features many classics including the Magic School Bus: Oceans.
It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: J for JOIDES
February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment
JOIDES stands for the Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Sea Sampling. This project began in the 1970’s as a collaboration between many prominent universities and oceanographic institutes (including Woods Hole and Scripps) to take core samples and study the bottom of the ocean. The vessel used for the project was known as the Glomar Challenge. Since the initial project a JOIDES resolution unfolded in 1985 maintaining the mission of the project. Currently, Mission 330 is underway where they are studying the Louisville Seamount Trail. Learn more here. To date the deepest hole drilled into the earth has been approximately 1.3 miles deep.
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