As a non-profit research institute, our entire existence is based
on community involvement, particularly in the field of natural resources
research and education. Much of this direct research and education
is accomplished at the national and international level. However,
we believe our local community may also benefit from the individual
skills and education of our highly motivated and trained staff. Therefore,
we foster the ability of members to serve in the local community in
capacities that serve theirs and the community's best interest. Some
current examples include -
The institute annually sends FERI employees to present at an information session in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the University of South Florida. GIS is the use of computerized data management systems designed to capture, store, retrieve, analyze and report geographic and demographic information. This event allows students, middle school through college, to observe how GIS works, what degrees are necessary to work in the field, and job opportunities that exist. It also allows institutes and organizations, like our own, to get a feel for what is being offered in the education system when it comes to skill sets and requirements that we are looking for in new applicants, as well as coordinating with each one another on the latest software applications and technology that we are each using in the field.
On
serveral occasions, we have volunteered with the Tampa Bay Watch,
a non-profit organization, whose purpose is to protect and restore
the marine and wetland environments of Tampa. Tampa Bay Watch trains
and works with citizen volunteers and students in environmental
projects while strengthening community awareness of nature and importance
of the environment. We have volunteered in the construction of Oyster
Bar reefs which stabilize shorelines, provide hard bottom habitats
for fish and wildlife resources and promote water quality improvements
in the Tampa Bay ecosystem.
Florida
Environmental Research Institute is proud to have sponsored one
of our research associates participation in the 3rd annual Boca
Grand Pass Cleanup. During the two day effort, over 7,000 pounds
of debris was removed by experienced divers from a host of organizations.
The debris consisted of monofilament fishing line, crap traps, anchors,
rope, fishing jigs, and other trash. Over 27 boats from state and
private research institutes including boats from Charlotte Harbor
fishing guides deployed over 40 divers a day to carefully remove
the entanglement and haul it to land for safe disposal. Boca Grande
Pass has been a world -renowned spot for record breaking tarpon
fishing since the early 1900's. It also is one of the deepest, undredged
natural passes in North America. The Boca Grande Cleanup is especially
important to FERI as the Charlotte Harbor Estuary has been the focus
of several of our research projects.
2004 marked the second year that FERI employees judged a local science fair at St. Joseph's School in West Tampa. The students that participated were 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, whose project focused on the fields of Earth, Physical and Life Sciences. In early 2005, FERI also judged a science fair for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Denham Oaks Elementary in Lutz, Fl. A total of 31 projects were selected by the teachers to participate in the science fair. The critiquing by FERI judges will narrow the field to 8 projects that will go on to compete at the district level. Good luck to the finalists and congratulations to all of the competitors.
Our
Executive Director is a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar who
continues to make presentations at Rotary meetings around the Tampa
Bay area. These presentations center on natural resource development
and management, as well as the development of new scientific tools
available to every day users.
Through the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, various employees have joined different committees to become more involved in the Tampa Community. Different committees that are represented from FERI include; the Port Maritime Council, the Business and Education Committee, as well as EMERGE Tampa.
