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.