Page 8 - Abacoa Community News - May '21

Page 8, Abacoa
Northern Notes

Importance Of Reducing and rare wildlife. Water pollution containing nitrates and
phosphates from fertilizer and improperly treated sewage
Water Pollutants trigger algal blooms and are particular concerns for the
Everglades. The algal blooms decrease the amount of
By Katie Roundtree, dissolved oxygen in the water. Fish and other wildlife are
Finance Director, Northern deprived of essential oxygen in the water. Native plants
Palm Beach County used to lower nitrogen levels do not survive, allowing
Improvement District for non-native invasive species to take hold and thrive.
Water pollution is The urgency to decrease and prevent water pollution is
unwe lc om ed i n any only rising. The first step is to raise awareness. Educating
community; however, in others on the harmful effects of water pollution on coral
Florida there is additional reefs and the Everglades increases public awareness to
urgency since it is a Source: wlrn.org cause change. This is not only a problem caused by large
peninsula and surrounded industrial plants and farms; pollution from residents
by water on three sides. industry, accounting for an average of $110 billion per and businesses are just as, if not more, harmful to the
Water pollution has year. Florida’s warm climate and miles of beautiful environment. Industrial plants and farms are regulated
devastating effects on beaches are very appealing to tourists. Unfortunately, an on how much chemicals they can use. Residents and
ecosystems, the economy and the tourist industry. Pre- increase of pollutants in Florida’s bodies of water such businesses are as well, but to a smaller degree. People
pandemic, the tourism industry was Florida’s largest as fertilizer runoff and inadequately treated sewage have must be aware of what they are doing to the environment
resulted in algal blooms, red tides, and the deterioration with each and every choice that they make. What you can
of ecosystems, all of which may turn tourists away. do to decrease water pollution:
Unique ecosystems like coral reefs and the Everglades • Use fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides containing
carry out integral roles in Florida’s environment. Coral nitrates and phosphates with care.
reefs provide shelter for more than 4,000 species of fish • Leave a “ring of responsibility” around retention
and almost one-quarter of all known marine species. areas like local ponds, canals or lakes by not fertilizing
Additionally, coral reefs protect coastlines from erosion close to the water. This untreated area will serve as a
and attract tourists to witness the stunning, vibrant natural buffer zone.
Tomorrow’s views coral reefs offer. Due to the increase of water pollutants into sinks.
• Avoid disposing household chemicals or other
pollution, Florida has lost about 98 percent of its coral
• Pick up litter and throw it into a garbage can, not
medical reefs. Coral reefs need clean, clear water to survive. down a storm drain.
When sediment and other pollutants enter the water,
Reducing and preventing water pollution from

they smother coral reefs, speed the growth of damaging
breakthroughs algae, and lower water quality. Pollution can also make reaching Florida’s ecosystems will protect not only
corals more susceptible to disease, impede coral growth
wildlife, but Florida’s economy as well.
and reproduction, and cause changes in food structures
Sources: floridatoday.com, miaminewtimes.com, npr.

start with on the reef. Excess nitrogen, mainly from fertilizers and org, sfwmd.gov
NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
improperly treated sewage, feeds blooms of algae that

today’s young block out the light. It also throws off the nutrient balance around your home helps lock rainwater in the ground,
in the water in ways that disrupt the coral’s life cycle.
reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into the
South Florida is the home of the largest subtropical
drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your

innovators. wetland ecosystem in the United States, more commonly garden further protects and brings health to your yard
and all the species living there.
known as the Everglades. The Everglades provides one-
third of Florida’s drinking water and shelters endangered
Get A Taste Of New Orleans At The
3rd Annual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival
On Saturday, June 5 At Abacoa

Live Music, Authentic Cajun Food, Cooking
Demonstrations, And More!

The 3rd Annual Cajun Dwayne taught himself
Crawfish & Music Festival how to play the accordion
returns to Abacoa on Saturday, by watching videos of
June 5, 2021 from 10 a.m. – 10 his father and Clifton
p.m. This free premier Cajun Chenier. The knowledge
At Scripps Research in Jupiter, Florida, graduate Crawfish and Music Festival of Dwayne’s musical
student Valentina Botero studies an incurable will celebrate the culture and ability, along with his
disorder called Neurofibromatosis Type 1.
traditions of Louisiana through zydeco Hellraisers band
food, music and dance! members who have over
Virginia Sinicki from The KVJ Show, will serve as the 100 years of combined-
The Skaggs Graduate School for Chemical Master of Ceremonies throughout the day and will bring experience playing zydeco
and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research her personal flair as a local who grew up New Orleans. music, shows in every
is consistently named among the top 10 Get a taste of "N'awlins" performance. The energy,
programs for chemistry and biological with authentic Cajun food true talent that Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
sciences nationwide. featuring a crawfish boil, emit from stage makes it obvious that there is no

Your gift can permanently endow a jambalaya, gumbo, po' competition for this band.
life-changing doctoral fellowship at Scripps boys, gator tail and more. A new introduction to this year’s festival is the VIP stage
Research, Florida. Find out about a unique Experience the pods. This area, available to rent on Eventbrite, will allow
matching opportunity today, by contacting Voodoo Bayou’s Cooking guests to have a private, socially-distanced area that holds
philanthropy-florida@scripps.edu. Demonstrations featuring up to 6 people. General lawn seating will also be available
their chefs and local celebrities as they create their personal for those who would like to bring their own chair/blanket
Scripps Research | Jupiter, FL food and drink favorites. to enjoy the all-day entertainment.
.scripps.edu | (561) 228-2013 Enjoy the Bourbon Street atmosphere with all the
classic cocktails such as Hurricanes and Grenades. About Little Smiles:
Celebrity bartenders, Kevin Rolston and Jason Pennington This fun-filled, cultural event benefits Little Smiles.
from the KVJ Show will stop by and help serve up these Little Smiles is a volunteer driven, nonprofit 501(c)3
classics. children’s charity. Their mission is to help heal hearts and
Headlining the day, two- create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities
time Grammy nominee, to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness,
13-time offbeat winner for or tragedy. With the guidance of local professionals
best accordion and best such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists and social
band and zydeco album workers, they strive to help kids escape their unfortunate
is Dwayne Dopsie & circumstances, even if only for a short period of time. For
the Zydeco Hellraisers. more information visit: www.littlesmilesfl.org.
The Scripps Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. For tax Dwayne Dopsie, grew up
purposes, our EIN# is 33-0435954. Within the limits of law, your gift is
100% tax-deductible. in Lafayette, Louisiana.