What’s New? CES EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT FAU’S MacARTHUR CAMPUS

Environmental Writers Series at FAU's Jupiter Campus
Download the flyer for the entire series

February 20, 2008 David Helvarg- THE SEAWEED REBELLION (Download the flyer)

One in every four homes built within 500 feet of the sea will be destroyed over the next 50 years due to rising sea levels and erosion linked to fossil fuel-driven climate change. Moreover, rising ocean temperatures threaten more severe hurricanes and coral bleaching. This is just a sampling of the many ecological disasters people have created for one of their favorite places: the ocean. While most Americans know that they can make a difference, many do not realize that every action they take already affects the seas around us.

About the speaker: Award-winning journalist and ocean activist David Helvarg is president of the Blue Frontier Campaign and the author of three books: Blue Frontier -- Dispatches from America's Ocean Wilderness, The War Against the Greens and 50 Ways to Save the Ocean. He has worked as a war correspondent and has reported from every continent, including Antarctica. He has produced more than 40 broadcast documentaries for PBS, The Discovery Channel and others and written for newspapers and radio.

March 19, 2008 Philip Shabecoff - POISONED PROFITS: THE TOXIC ASSAULT ON OUR CHILDREN

Chronic disease, disability and dysfunction among U.S. children are reaching epidemic levels. One out of three suffers from some sort of chronic illness. There are multiple causes of this epidemic. But glaring facts point to one powerful source. The increasing incidence of childhood illness has been paralleled by an explosive, exponential increase in the number, quantity and variety of chemicals and metals poured into the environment by industry and commerce. People need to act to protect their children, regardless of their politics, ideology or pro-life or pro-choice position.

About the speaker: Philip Shabecoff is a Massachusetts-based freelance writer and co-author with his wife Alice of Poisoned Profits, a new book scheduled for publication this summer. For 32 year he worked as a reporter for The New York Times, and was founder and publisher of Greenwire, the environmental news daily. He is author of the books Earth Rising: American Environmentalism in the 21st Century, A New Name for Peace and A Fierce Green Fire. In 1990, he was awarded the American Library Association's James Madison Award for expanding the public's right to know.

April 30, 2008 Susan Cerulean - THE NATURE OF PLACE: LIVING IN FLORIDA IN CRITICAL TIMES

During the next 50 years, unprecedented human population growth is predicted to reshape the face of Florida. The influx of 18 million new residents to Florida, and the effects of climate change, will intensely heighten the competition between wildlife and humans for land and water resources. Actions must be taken and stories told to build a truly sustainable human presence in Florida. How can people draw upon their relationship with their bioregions and own natural histories to accomplish this?

About the speaker: Susan Cerulean is a writer, naturalist and activist. She is director of the Red Hills Writers Project. Her latest book is a nature memoir entitled Tracking Desire: A Journey After Swallow-tailed Kites. She wrote The Florida Wildlife Viewing Guide and has edited The Book of the Everglades, The Wild Heart of Florida and -- with two other authors -- the anthology Between Two Rivers: Stories from the Red Hills to the Gulf. She leads writing workshops and lectures widely.

For more information, contact Alana Edwards at 561-799-8462.

Download a copy of our 2006 Field Notes from FAU's MacArthur Campus

Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum Updates-

In the year and a half since the first phase of the butterfly garden was planted, the progression of the Arboretum project has appeared to slow down. On the contrary! Behind the scenes, a lot of terrific work has been taking place. Landscape design firm Cotleur & Hearing generously donated their time to develop the design of the arboretum. It was completed just in time for an Arbor Day celebration planned by FP&L, who sponsored the Right Tree, Right Place demonstration project. The celebration on April 28th was FP&L’s dedication for the project. Currently, the next step is for K-RAIN, who has generously donated the irrigation for the arboretum, to install the new system.

Our plan is to install a large number of trees later this fall. By then, the irrigation system will be complete and hurricane season will have passed! The first area to be planted will feature trees found in a Tropical Hardwood hammock. The majority for the funding of this area will be donated by the friends and family of Terry Dodge, who passed away in December 2005. Terry worked for the Center for Environmental Studies from 1997-2005 as the Director of Information Services. Those of us who knew Terry, also knew of his love of the Florida environment, especially the Keys. In Terry’s memory, this first area will be named Terry’s Hammock and will feature trees of the Tropical Hardwood Hammock such as Gumbo Limbo, Paradise Tree, Pigeon Plum, Satin Leaf, and Jamaican Caper.

The Latest News

November 2006 - K-Rain installed the new irrigation system that they graciously donated to us.

January 23-24, 2007 - Twenty-four native trees were planted! Some of these trees include oaks, gumbo limbo, satin leaf, paradise tree and mahogany.

February 1-2 - Several hundred shrubs and wildflowers were planted in the Tropical Hardwood Hammock area.

Coming soon! More trees and shrubs are due to be planted throughout the month of February.

April 27, 2007 - Join us for our Arbor Day Celebration at 2:30. More information will be posted when it becomes available.