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Junior environmentalists spreading the green word

Two seniors organize an expo to educate others and preserve the environment.

By THERESA BLACKWELL, Times Staff Writer
Published October 13, 2007

The first step is awareness.

So two East Lake High School seniors in Tribe Earth, the school's environmental club, organized an expo called "Environmental Awareness for Future Generations" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the high school. It features live animals and representatives from more than 30 groups, including zoos, aquariums and environmental organizations, as well as a scavenger hunt for kids.

Organizers Brittany Lyp, 17, and Frankie Costa, 18, aim to preserve the environment and educate others about the wilderness nearby.

With former Vice President Al Gore sharing the Nobel Peace Prize Friday for his focus on global warming, their timing could not have been better.

But their activism is not new.

"They really revved up last year," said Tribe Earth's sponsor, East Lake biology teacher Jan Sheridan. "No holding them back this year."

Last year, local officials discussed putting ballfields in the Brooker Creek Preserve and pumping water from the preserve to irrigate golf courses. So Brittany and Frankie helped the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve get more than 2,000 signatures on a petition that advocated preserving the Brooker Creek Preserve.

The pumping idea was dropped, and county officials worked with the Pinellas County School Board to find an alternative site for the ballfields at the corner of East Lake and Keystone roads.

Over the past summer, Brittany and Frankie both attended a camp on saving the environment through knowledge at the University of Florida through a scholarship from the Palm Harbor Garden Club. The event today is free, but donations will help to fund scholarships so students can go to environmental camps and help with Tribe Earth project expenses.

On Friday, while Brittany, Frankie, Sheridan and some helpers were getting the cafeteria ready for today's event, Frankie explained what's so important about the environment.

"It was here before we were," he said. "It affects our future."

Times staff writer Theresa Blackwell can be reached at tblackwell@sptimes.com or 727 445-4170.

Check it out

Youth environmental conference

The youth conference "Environmental Awareness for Future Generations" will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the cafeteria at East Lake High School, 1300 Silver Eagle Drive.

-The expo features live animals and more than 30 organizations including zoos, aquariums, amusement parks, nature parks and environmental groups.

-For kids, there's a scavenger hunt and door prizes such as T-shirts and tickets to aquariums and zoos that will be given out throughout the day.

-The event is free, though donations will be appreciated, and all are welcome.

[Last modified October 12, 2007, 21:36:05]