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Eco Adventures for the Whole Family: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

June 22, 2012 0

Last week, I took the boys to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, Florida. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. They offer both a wildlife rehabilitation program and environmental education and community outreach programs. They rescue, preserve, rehabilitate, and care for Florida’s wildlife that have been injured while in the wild or when they were illegally owned as pets and are no longer fearful of humans.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to stop for the afternoon with a picnic lunch and your camera. You can take a guided tour or stroll through the beautiful sanctuary on your own. The boys thoroughly enjoyed experiencing all of the animals, including; birds, deer, foxes, reptiles, bears, otters, large cats and many more. Our favorites were the turtles, owls, alligators, crocodiles!

If you are in the Jupiter, Florida area and are looking for a great place for a picnic and animal encounter with your little ones, I highly recommend it. Eben and I stop several times a year and always have a blast! And if you are able, please donate here.

+ Busch Wildlife Sanctuary 
2500 Jupiter Park Drive
Jupiter, FL 33458
561.575.3399

7 Simple Ways to Make Your Beach Day Eco-Friendly

June 11, 2012 0

With Taven, my nephew visiting, we have spent literally every single day of the past week at the beach. I have been spending a lot of time noticing how eco-friendly or NOT eco-friendly people are when hitting the beach. The garbage cans at the entrance to the beaches are always packed or overflowing with tons of garbage. This made me think it would be a great time to review my seven favorite simple ways that you can green your trip to the beach, read on.

#1: Plan Ahead
We go to the beach every single week, so planning ahead comes second nature to us. Planning ahead is really easy, simply pack your lunches, drink and snacks for the day from home. Skip stopping at the grocery store to stock up on the typical beach food items (chips, candy, drinks). If you pack your lunch from home, you can bring a much healthier menu and skip all of the packaging garbage. If we are packing a lunch that includes side dishes, for example; coleslaw or salad, we will pack the lunches in our divided, reusable containers and utensils.

#2: Follow the Rules 
Following the rules at the beach is very important to us – and it is super surprising how often we see people not doing it. When you arrive at the beach, stop for a moment to read all of the posted rules and signs. This should be just common sense but follow the rules of the beach. If the signs say to stay off of the dunes, reefs, and protected surrounding grasslands, please do so. Also, be very aware of turtle and bird nests – if an area is marked off, there is a reason for it – stay out. The beach is a wonderful place and we are very lucky to be able to spend our time there, however, if people choose to ruin our beaches, wildlife and oceans because they can’t follow the rules, we may not be able to enjoy them in the future.

#3: Speak Up
Number three goes hand in hand with number two. If you see someone climbing on the dunes, standing on the reef or bothering sea turtle nests, you should speak up. You don’t have to be outright rude or confrontation – instead try our approach. We calmly walk or swim over to the individual and say in a kind, inquisitive tone “Did you know that when you stand on the reef, it kills it?” Or, “Did you know that the dunes are there for a reason and you aren’t suppose to climb on them?” Or, “Do you realize that is a turtle nest that you are bothering?” If we get any resistance or the person doesn’t stop what they are doing, we will then tell the lifeguard (if the beach is guarded) or we will alert the local authorities.

#4: Choose Quality
When it comes to purchasing beach gear, choose quality items that will last. Even if you are only taking a beach vacation, skip purchasing the cheap chairs and umbrellas. Instead, pack a super comfortable blanket to sit on and don’t forget the family hats. And don’t buy a cheap, non-recyclable Styrofoam cooler, instead pack a large collapsible reusable one or even a couple of smaller reusable insulted bags. And when it comes to buying beach toys, choose quality over quantity – it doesn’t make sense to buy those cheap toys that will break the first or second time your child plays with them. When Eben was little a set of metal measuring cups would keep him entertained all afternoon.

#5: Skip the Paper + Plastic
Forgo bringing paper napkins or plastic water bottles, baggies, or cutlery to the beach. All of those toxic plastic items are just wasteful and many blow away or get left behind on the beach, only to make there way into the ocean. Instead, go back to step 1 and plan ahead so that you have reusable napkins, reusable water bottles, reusable food containers, and reusable cutlery with you.

#6: Choose a Responsible Sunscreen
Choosing an eco-friendly, natural sunscreen is not only good for the health of you and your family, it is also better for the environment. Even if you let the sunscreen dry before heading into the ocean or laying in the sand, parts of it inevitably will get into the ocean and sand. Choosing a responsible sunscreen is a must!

#7: Skip the Soapy Shower
After spending the day at the beach, it is perfectly fine to shower off before going home. However, skip sudding up or washing your hair in the beach shower. Even if you use a biodegradable soap or shampoo, most beach showers drain directly back into the ocean and the large quantity of soap or shampoo (biodegradable or not) can still harm the fish, invertebrates, marine life, and the delicate eco-system. Instead, quickly rinse off and save washing your hair and body for when you get home.

Did I miss something? How does your family make your beach days more eco-friendly?

p.s. You can see more photos from our week of beach days on my Instagr.am feed.

The Perfect Kind of Summer Visitor

June 4, 2012 0

Tomorrow afternoon, my nephew Taven will be traveling by himself from Salt Lake City to stay with us in Florida. I don’t know who is more excited – me, the mister or Eben. Taven will be staying with us a little over a week and we are already wishing that he was staying longer! We will be spending the entire week sailing, paddleboarding, body-surfing, skimboarding, and visiting our local nature centers.

Since our family left Salt Lake City when Eben was only 6 months old – Eben hasn’t been able to spend a lot of time with his cousins, especially one on one. So, this trip will be extra special for him – a bonding trip!

Did you ever travel solo far from home when you were a child? Where did you go? The first time that I ever traveled by plane was on my honeymoon! I think it is super brave of Taven to want to travel solo at such a young age. Have your children ever taken a solo flight? What are your thoughts?

photo via Magnifique Photography

People’s Pops are Perfect for Organic Summers

May 17, 2012 0

I can’t think of anything more synonymous with summer than ice pops. I know it is only May – but I am ready for summer! Some of my favorite childhood and adult memories include ice pops on a hot summer’s day. You?

I really want to make ice pops this summer with Eben and I just came across this new book called People’s Pops by Nathalie Jordi, David Carrell and Joel Horowitz. It’s packed with ice pops that you can make using farm-fresh fruits in interesting combinations. Think: salted caramel and apricots! Fantastic.

Do you make your own ice pops? What is the most interesting combination of ingredients you have used?

+ People’s Pop $12

8 Environmental Focused Summer Camps In South Florida

May 15, 2012 1

I spent a lot of time the last several weeks researching summer camps with an environmental focus for Eben. There are many options available here in Florida – especially in South Florida and up the Treasure Coast. I have visited a lot of websites, made countless phone calls inquiring on the different programs offered and even visited the camps that I decided to sign Eben up for. After I wrote about the three summer camps that I chose for Eben, I received a lot of emails asking what the name of the camps that I chose where and what other camps I would recommend. I even had several of you send me links to the Florida summer camps your children will be attending. (Thank you Jenn for pointing me to Pigeon Key’s summer camp – see below) I thought it would be helpful to list all of the summer camps that I considered for Eben. All of these camps have either an environmental focus, great for kids who love the environment.

1. Florida Oceanographic Society
The Florida Oceanographic Society has three different camp options available for children ages 4-14, with half day and full day options available. Their camps include: Salty Species Discovery Camp, Island Explorers Discovery Camp, and Expedition: Florida Camp. The camps are all located on Hutchinson Island, a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. The children will enjoy seining, fishing, swimming, natural trail hikes, field journaling, water quality testing, beach exploration, camp-themed crafts, live animal interactions and field trips to discover other Florida environments and animals. This is hands-down one of Eben’s favorite places in Florida!

+ Florida Oceanographic Society Summer Camp
890 NE Ocean Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996
772.225.4725
+ $140-$215 Weekly

2. Loggerhead Marinelife Center
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is another one of Eben’s favorites! They offer three different Jr. Marine Biologist Camp Sessions for children ages 7-17. The camps include: Turtle Adventures, Explore Florida and Field Experiences. With activities ranging from snorkeling excursions, sea turtle nesting activities, birdwatching, fossil digs, and lab experiments, this would be a great program for a budding scientist! This program is full-day too.

+ Loggerhead Marinelife Center Jr. Marine Biologist Camp
14200 U.S. Highway One, Juno Beach, FL 33408
561.627.8280
+ $180-$245 Weekly

3. Loxahatchee River Center
The Loxahatchee River Center offers a n Aquatic Adventure Camp which is an educational program designed to give children ages 9-13 the opportunity to learn about native marine habitats and animals, human impacts, and how to help maintain these local treasures. Children will participate in preparing food for the animals, feeding and handling animals, collecting animals, tank maintenance, native gardening and they also receive their own fish tank to maintain throughout the program! Eben loves the River Center, it is a monthly stop for us throughout the year. This is a full day camp too.

+ Loxahatchee River Center Aquatic Adventure Camp
2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458
561.747.5700
+ $215

4. Smithsonian Marine Station
The Smithsonian Marine Station offers three different summer camps options for children ages 6-14. The camps include: Ocean Discovery, Ocean Adventure and Ocean Explorer camps. The activities range from hands-on experience with marine life to kayaking, snorkeling and field trips. They also have an amazing array of tanks inside the Marine Station itself.

+ Smithsonian Marine Station Summer Camp
420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949
772.462.6220

+ $75-$145

5. Aloha Surf Camp 
Aloha Surf Camp is located at Juno Beach Loggerhead Park for children 6-and Up. Aloha Surf camp teaches children surfing etiquette, fitness, awareness, safety, timing, padding, catching waves and wave selection as well as turning, speeding up, slowing down, duck diving, left and right breaking and other techniques that will make them excellent surfers. The camp also includes a lot of beach activities including; skim-boarding, dodge-ball, paddle ball, and indoboarding. It’s a full day camp, full of tons of fun.

+ Aloha Surf Camp
14200 U.S. Hwy 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408
561.543.7873
+ $175

6. Blueline Skate, Surf and SUP Camp
Blueline is offering a skate, surf and stand up paddleboarding camp for children ages 6-12. It is a half-day program for kids that enjoy skating, surfing and paddling – great for kids with a lot of energy!

+ Blueline Paddle Skate, Surf and SUP Camp
997 North A1A, Jupiter, FL
561.744.7474
+ $160-$200

7. Jupiter Outdoor Center
Jupiter Outdoor Center offers amazing kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, snorkeling and outdoor adventure camps for children ages 6-14. They offer 10 weekly sessions of summer camp – so the fun can last all summer long!

+ Jupiter Outdoor Center Summer Camp
960 N A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477
561.747.0063
+ $50-275

8. The Pigeon Key Foundation + Marine Science Center
The Pigeon Key summer camp offers hands on learning and interaction in the Florida Keys ecosystem. With a variety of marine program, children are immersed in the field learning everything about marine habitats, biodiversity, reef fish identification, shark biology and plankton lab. You child will also enjoy snorkeling, swimming and if you would like Scuba certification. This is a fantastic summer camp that can be enjoyed as a day camp or overnight camp.

+ Pigeon Key Foundation + Marine Science Center Summer Camp
Mile Marker 47
Marathon, FL 33050
561.289.0025
+ $300-$950

Do you have a South Florida summer camp with an environmental theme that you want to add to the list? Drop me a note. 

photo via anniewie

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