River Kidz of St. Lucie and Indian River County

On April 3, 2014, River Kidz Gage, Vivi, Aidan and Hannah were asked to join Captains Don and Dyana Voss in an exciting and new "adventure". We hopped aboard the Captains boat and set sailed into the tranquil waters of the St. Lucie River. We weren't told much prior to which made this unique excursion that much special. 

The Kidz got to witness the natural beauties in their own backyard, literally. We got to see bountiful mangroves all along the banks, Ospreys feeding and watching over their young in nest, Yellow crowned night herons AND a Osprey wading in the waters. Swallow-tailed Kites flying high over our waters in utter enjoyment. Among some of the most prettiest sights they have ever seen were the wild orchids in bloom that caught your eye no matter what you had your eyes set on prior to.

While cruising the St. Lucie, the Kidz were given a tour of some of the tiniest passage ways along the river. Going around this corner and that corner, we came to our "exit". Captain Voss urged the Kidz to help in weaving through some of the overgrown trees only to break through what we thought was heaven on earth. A narrow passage way to nothing but flawless mangroves and untouched preserve. The Kidz had never seen something quite this magnificent in their tiny little lives. We watched a poppa Osprey fly over us protecting his babies nesting peacefully in the large treetops with momma Osprey.



As we continued to embrace the natural beauties surrounding us, we embarked onto a tiny dock. The Kidz helped dock the boat and departed the boat on to land. The old rickety dock told so many tales. Still soaking in what they just experienced, the Kidz followed our "tour quide", Captain Voss through the muddy wetlands of the Halpatioke Trails. Stepping knee deep in mudd, hopping from palm frolm to palm frolm in hopes of not getting any muddier the Kidz hurdled through the trails laughing and almost feeling as if they were in a different world.
We walked for a while soaking in what Mother Nature had intended. As we inched closer and closer, the sounds got louder and louder. We were inching closer to reality, US1. Once within a few feet to this busy thoroughfare we were hit with the realization of how disheartening taking this all away would be.

The Halpatioke Trails and Aquatic Preserve are in grave danger of being taken from us. The passage way we traveled, soaking up the pristine conditions surround us would be ripped right from underneath not only us adults but these children. Taking away the beauty they should be allowed to see. What many don't realize is that the Crosstown Bridge may be a new highway to travel, cutting some slack to Port St. Lucie Blvd, we would lose all the sights and sounds of what us adults and these Kidz just feasted their eyes one. This is one of 5 proposed areas to use, this is the most detrimental pathway to use. We do have other options!

The Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County is working hard to protect these precious resources. To ensure our already sick river doesn't not have anymore taken from it. From the dirty silt on the bottom to the wetland preservation these Kidz got to skip through.

On April 12, 2014 at the Auto Zone on US1 in Port St. Lucie, the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County, River Kidz of St. Lucie and Indian River County and the River Warriors will join forces, yet again, to help raise money in a effort to fight for a shift in pathways. Please consider swinging by and getting a Eco-friendly car wash to help raise money towards this fight.

Please help of save this precious wetland and allow our Kidz to continue to enjoy Mother Natures greatest gifts.

What a great weekend. Full of new families, fun, oysters and art.

Saturday, some of the Kidz were out and about at the 3rd Annual Fort Pierce Oyster Festival. Momz Nyla, Katy and Lara painted faces. Over a hundred to be exact. We offered a jar for tips and were able to raise over $100 for our Kidz. Kidz Gage, Vivi and Hannah were present and took to the stage to talk to the public for a bit. Hannah and Gage were cool enough to walk around and get Clean Water Declarations signed for our environmental friends at the Indian Riverkeeper booth. Hannah was asked by a gentlemen WHY he should sign the declaration, Hannah's reply was "Because us Kidz are playing in the water and getting rashes and getting very sick!", she got a signature. We were able to recruit a whole page of new familiez interested in our efforts and encourage visitors to take what these Kidz are doing back home, wherever that may be. I would like to give a special shout out to our County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky for coming to the Kidz rescue and loaning them a canopy until we can get our own.

If you would like to contribute to our Kidz events and activities, head over to our fundraising page and make a contribution to our cause. No amount is too small.

The River Kid booth also had a special visitor, Gregory Oravac is a candidate for Port St. Lucie Mayor. He also is a amazing family man who enrolled his children into the River Kidz. He has some great plans on the table for our local waterway concerns. We are so excited to have his family involved with the River Kidz.

Sunday, our April meeting day. We had a great turnout with lots of new members. We worked on out official logo allowing those present to stamp their hand prints into a water drop that will symbolize so much but mainly expressing to the public that water too has a voice and its in these Kidz "hands" to speak up for it. I can't wait to share it with you. We had local artist, Brigid McGuiness come lend a helping hand with her beautiful River Kid, Jensen.


We hope to share our new logo in the coming days or weeks.

Some key notes discussed today at our meeting;

• We talked about the importance of mentoring one another and working together as a group. We explained to our older Kidz the importance of them being their and the impact THEY have on the smaller Kidz.
  
• We introduced some of the Special Edition River Kidz today. It was very cool to see Sam, Tina and
•  Jeff dive right in and be a part of something huge. To these Kidz, this can be very tough for them. They LOVED it!

Lilly Tougas, a Wyland Foundation ambassador and River Kid encouraged the Kidz to pledge to conserving water. We discussed things we all can and are doing at home to play our role. We are asking our families to "Take the Pledge" as well. Some of our Kidz did it today. Head over to the Wyland Foundation website, and pledge that you too will help conserve earths most valuable resource. Their is an adult version AND childrens version. The City with the most pledges could win some fabulous prizes.

• We talked about our upcoming events and how we're going to be seeing a "shift in the tides" and that we'll be bringing them lots more hands on activities and field trips. Yes, field trips. One mentioned today was a seigning field trip to Jaycee Park. Some of the Kidz have done it so, those Kidz talked about it to our younger Kidz. They got very excited to hear all about the cool creatures they would be able to experience.
• The Kidz were able to enjoy a yummy healthy snack, Dolphin Bananas and Grapes. River Mommaz love a yummy treat especially, the healthy ones. 
• Jack Hudson visited today and explained to the Kidz his ideas and his collaboration with us. In case you haven't heard, the River Kidz were given a great opportunity to team up with the American Dream Factory and test water products finalizing them with a seal of approval. Their little faces lit up.