Why no environmental education in region?
Editor, The Sun:
As an environmental educator, teacher and naturalist, I have noticed that there is a major disconnection between people and nature. This disconnection is not beneficial to our society. Either to children or adults.The results of this disconnection contributes to society’s many mental and physical maladies in today’s world.
The average child today spends 6 minutes a day outside. Yet 7 hours a day inside on electronic devices. Adults are also in this same category.
Why is there not a place in Wakulla and Leon county where children, adults and families can go to learn about our vastly disappearing natural world? A nature/interpretive center to address this void in our area? Gainesville has such a center. Jacksonville has such a center. Tallahassee with 3 colleges/universities and the capital of Florida does not.
Wakulla County, according to County Commissioners, is comprised of 68% of public land. Leon County, although being developed at a fair pace, is still comprised of “green areas.”
In 2022, I approached Wakulla County politicians, the Tourist Development Council, Wakulla Environmental Institute (TCC), community leaders, Wakulla Springs, Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and others about a possible wildlife festival and environmental education center. There was little interest in these beneficial ideas which will benefit our area and address this void.
In 2022, I contacted Mayor Dailey and all the Tallahassee City and Leon County Commissioners about the lack of an environmental education center in the Leon County area. I did not receive one response from anyone!
I recently conducted a 6 week environmental education program series at FSU for adults. The results were outstanding! We will continue the series next spring/summer. The adults have the voting power but our youth is the future! Do any of you have any ideas about the contents of my e-mail and who to contact about the many opportunities to establish this concept to benefit our local communities? If so, please contact me at your convenience. We need to reconnect people with nature for the benefit of us all and future generations.
Respectfully,
Jerry Walls
Crawfordville/Tallahassee