Adventures in the Charlotte Harbor Watershed

A Story of Four Animals and Their Neighborhoods

 

Learn about the environment of southwest Florida through the adventures of four animals: a yellow-crowned night-heron on the Caloosahatchee River, an alligator on the Peace River, an otter on the Myakka River and a mullet in the estuaries. The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) created this 60-page book to help children better understand the natural environment of southwest Florida.

 

Each year since the 2007-8 school year, the CHNEP has been pleased to provide the book to approximately 18,000 school children. All seven school districts -- Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk, Hardee and DeSoto counties -- that participate in the CHNEP will be giving it to their third or fifth grade students (their choice).

 

Based on responses received in earlier years, the CHNEP

  • Now makes the book available sooner in the school year.

  • Published a Spanish edition that’s available as a PDF file on the website.

  • Posted the book illustrations on the website as PDF files so they can be available for creative uses.

  • Developed curriculum for teachers to use.

  • Developed activity sheets for children to use.

  • Developed the book illustrations for children to color themselves.

  • Supported the author in classroom readings. This has been so popular that the book will soon be available as a video! Lee County School District is producing a video of author Carol Mahler and Adventurers, a team of five students from Manatee Elementary School in Lee County, reading and discussing the book. Once completed, the video will be made available for everyone’s use.

  • Additional resources are posted on the website as they are made available.

 

By April 27, 2012, we again ask that at least one representative from each school complete this online survey to assure the CHNEP that the books were received and distributed and to provide suggestions on how to make the book more valuable.

Name of school

 

County where school is located

 

Your name

 

Your phone number (with area code)

 

Your email address

 

What grade are the students in that received the book?

 

What week were the students given the book?

 

 

Next edition changes? Do you have suggestions for changes to the book?

 

Timing. Do you have suggestions for changes in when the book is provided? The first two editions were available in April and the third (2010) was available in early February.

 

Value. Is this a project CHNEP should continue? Your comments will help us justify continuing to provide the book free through the school districts with the limited funds that are available.

 

Sponsors: If you know of others who you think may be interested in sponsoring the next edition of the book, please provide their name, as much contact information as you have and any additional insight you may have on them.

 

Use: Please provide any other comments you'd like, such as how the book was used in the classroom, comments from students and parents.

 

Other suggestions? Are there other ways CHNEP can provide further assistance in your efforts to help students understand the natural environment of southwest Florida?

 

Check all the answers that apply.

I was aware of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) before receiving these books.

I know that CHNEP offers grants.

I know that CHNEP sponsors events.

Thank you.

Please hit submit once you've entered your responses into the survey.

 

Adventures in the Charlotte Harbor Watershed

 

CHNEP is a partnership program that works to protect the natural environment of southwest Florida from Venice to Bonita Springs to Winter Haven.