Ethics On A Walk

A few months back when I enrolled in The Master Naturalist Program, and before I left Fishers for New Smyrna Beach, it was my personal intention to continue weekly monitoring off Island. Despite the difference in natural settings and ecosystems, I wanted to share with students that one can be a naturalist and share local traditional knowledge anywhere.
Here I can observe and count local Brown Pelicans in the colony that inhabits a nearby mangrove isle. After a week of learning the rhythm of a different beach altogether, I spied a neighborhood Gopher Tortoise that emerges regularly from shrubs buffering a parking lot. I determine River Otter remain elusive while still creating a well worn path to the lagoon. It’s noted here as well that invasive plants have historically taken root-a Blue Heron rests in an Australian pine.

There is quite a bit of discussion in the Master Naturalist course about ethics- within educational outreach, and interpretation.

While sharing my respect and enthusiasm specifically for Fishers Island with future Island Sentinels (students) has been seemingly effortless-thinking, what’s not to love about our Island’s outdoor uniqueness? I share with them also that it’s really about the “outreach” and how others interpret that.

  Basically, “if you talk the talk you’ve got to walk the walk.”

For instance, back on Fishers Island as stewards making sure we stay our distance and be still while monitoring seals at Hungry Point-it’s illegal to disrupt their haul out.  Or being aware of countless balloons that wash ashore might have us NOT “invite” balloons to the next community celebration. Even by riding our bikes or walking to the beach we know we can cut down on invasive gas emissions locally

So student Island Sentinels actually become teachers and their passion for wildlife conservation and land preservation on a tiny Island can indeed lead to positive, far reaching steps – even globally.