Tag Archives: nature

Girl Scouts Take Action to Protect Local Wildlife on Don Pedro Island

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Girl Scout Cadettes Maya C. and Raina C. from Troop 655 have successfully completed their Silver Award project, leaving a lasting impact on the Don Pedro Island community by addressing the destruction of critical habitats for bats and gopher tortoises.

The sisters’ project, “Bat House and Educational Signs for Bats and Gopher Tortoises on Don Pedro Island,” tackled the root cause of habitat destruction caused by trimming dead palm fronds and a lack of community awareness. Bats, which shelter in dead palm fronds, are often left vulnerable when these fronds are cut. Similarly, gopher tortoises, a keystone species, face threats from habitat destruction and unintentional harm by residents.

The project required the sisters to conduct extensive research on bat species that live on the island, to raise funds to supply materials, and coordinate with local organizations to make the project successful.

Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, praised the Cadettes for their work. “Maya and Raina exemplify the leadership and commitment to community that Girl Scouts aim to inspire in every girl. Their innovative and impactful Silver Award project highlights how Girl Scouts make the world a better place by addressing local challenges with sustainable solutions.”

Maya and Raina partnered with the Bocilla Islands Conservancy and local residents to bring their vision to life. Their project included constructing bat houses, designing and installing educational signs, and advocating for wildlife preservation. The signs, featuring QR codes, direct residents and visitors to additional resources on protecting bats and gopher tortoises.

“This project taught us the importance of communication and perseverance,” said Maya. “We faced challenges, but through hard work and determination, we were able to complete a project that benefits both wildlife and the community.”

“Bats and gopher tortoises are vital to the ecosystem,” said Maya. “Our project ensures they have a safe environment while helping the community understand how their actions can impact these species.”

The project also has lasting sustainability, as the bat houses and signs will remain permanent fixtures on Don Pedro Island. By educating residents, the sisters hope to inspire continued wildlife conservation efforts.

“Our team made the project sustainable by leaving a lasting mark on the memories and habits of Don Pedro Island residents by raising awareness of how their actions can harm bats, as well as how to stop harming them and instead begin helping them; we will also put up informational signs which will be a permanent staple on Don Pedro Island for visiting people and residents alike to read and gain knowledge from.,” Raina said. “The bat houses we built and permanently put on the Island will also sustain bats’ habitats and protect them from predators.”

The Silver Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can achieve, requiring girls to identify a community issue, take action to address it, and create a project with a sustainable impact. Maya and Raina’s project is a shining example of the values of leadership, innovation, and stewardship that Girl Scouts strive to instill.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.: Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in and strive to make it better every single day. They explore their strengths, take on new challenges, and can always be themselves, regardless of background or ability. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council has a membership of nearly 3,500 girls in grades K-12, and more than 1,500 adult members. GSGCF is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. The council is governed by a volunteer board of directors who represent the geographic, ethnic, and social demographics of the council’s jurisdiction. For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visit www.gsgcf.org. 

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Girl Scouts make a Lasting Impact—One Cleanup, One Turtle Nest, and One Girl at a Time

by Jessica Miano
Naples Girl Scout Troop 446 adopted turtle nests and beach clean ups

Girl Scout Troop 446 of Naples is making waves in environmental conservation through their dedicated beach cleanup efforts and special initiative of “adopting” sea turtle nests at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. Since 2019, this troop of young girls has been actively involved in cleaning local beaches, turning their commitment to the environment into a cornerstone of their community service.

A Journey of Service

Formed in 2019, Girl Scout Troop 446 embarked on their beach cleanup journey to introduce their youngest members to community service and environmental stewardship. What began as an activity for Daisies to engage in meaningful service has grown into a troop-wide mission. In 2022, Troop 446 expanded their efforts by adopting sea turtle nests, a move inspired by troop leader Patricia Nye-Schmitz’s volunteer work at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

Beaches and Cleanups

Troop 446 focuses their cleanup efforts on three key locations:

  • Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: The site of their adopted sea turtle nest and the troop’s primary summer cleanup destination.
  • Vanderbilt Beach: Each fall, the troop participates in the International Coastal Cleanup here, contributing to global marine debris reduction efforts.
  • Bay Days Great American Cleanup: Held in the spring, this event involves cleaning various locations, frequently around Vanderbilt Beach, as part of a nationwide initiative.

Adopting a Turtle Nest

The adoption of a sea turtle nest is a special mission for Troop 446. The idea was introduced by Patricia Nye-Schmitz, who discovered the Adopt-a-Turtle Nest program through her volunteer work at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. The troop eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute further to conservation efforts by connecting with the Friends of Delnor-Wiggins to adopt a nest.

The Adopt-a-Turtle Nest program offers three donation levels: Loggerhead ($250), Green ($500), and Leatherback ($1,000). These funds support nest protection and resource management at the park, and donors receive an adoption certificate, personalized nest signage, and other appreciation gifts.

To facilitate their beach cleanups, Troop 446 collaborates with the Wiggins Cleanup Crew for Delnor-Wiggins Pass and partners with Keep Collier Beautiful for broader initiatives like the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and Bay Days Great American Cleanup (GAC). Their next cleanup event is scheduled for September 21.

The Joy of Giving Back

Naples Girl Scout Troop 446 adopted turtle nests and beach clean ups

For Troop 446, the experience of adopting a nest and participating in beach cleanups is a source of immense pride and joy. According to Nye-Schmitz, the Girl Scouts eagerly anticipate each visit, taking great pride in the nests they’ve adopted and the areas they’ve cleaned. These activities provide valuable lessons on the life cycle of sea turtles, the importance of maintaining clean beaches, and the necessity of environmental protection measures.

Nye-Schmitz highlighted how these activities embody the principles of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The initiatives teach the girls to be courageous and strong, reflecting the resilience of sea turtles, and to be friendly and helpful, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship. “By doing a beach cleanup, we are rightfully ‘making the world a better place,’” said Nye-Schmitz.

A Troop on the Rise

Troop 446 is a vibrant, multi-level group of 22 girls, ranging from Brownies to Cadettes. They are one of over a dozen Girl Scout troops in the Naples area. The troop began as a Daisy and Junior troop and, having recently bridged to the next levels, their dedication to the environment and community service continues to grow.

As they look forward to another year of beach cleanups and nest adoptions, Troop 446 hopes to inspire others to join them in their mission to protect our beautiful coastlines and the incredible creatures that inhabit them. Together, they are making a lasting impact—one cleanup, one nest, and one girl at a time.

Naples Girl Scout Troop 446 adopted turtle nests and beach clean ups

Girl Scout Troop 654 of Fort Myers also adopted 10 turtle nests from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

The troop showed their commitment to sea turtle conservation by donating $750 to SCCF’s sea turtle program last week.

Troop Leader Kelsey Leone explained, “Our troop chose to support the SCCF turtle program because we’re passionate about conserving our natural world. We specifically selected a local organization to ensure our contribution directly benefits the places and creatures we cherish in our own community.”

The troop decided to adopt ten sea turtle nests at $75 each, totaling $750, representing each troop member, including leaders. The funds were raised collectively by all troop members throughout the year.

Kelly Sloan, SCCF’s Coastal Wildlife Director, expressed gratitude, saying, “Our adopt-a-nest program helps us protect and nurture sea turtles on Sanibel and Captiva islands. It’s a meaningful way for supporters to engage with our conservation efforts, particularly during the nesting season.”