Eco-teers Climate Fair

On Sunday, November 13, 2022, the Eco-teers presented their first Climate Fair in the courtyard of Flamingo Gardens from 10am to 4pm.

The Eco-teers and other community partners presented the fair to educate the public on the impacts of climate change and ways they can make a difference. Guests could visit booths and have their “climate passport” stamped for discounted admission to Flamingo gardens for the day.

The Eco-teers presented a special “Climate 101” presentation in the Mary N. Porter Learning Center at 11:30 in partnership with the CLEO Institute, describing the effects of fossil fuels on the planet and the resulting effects of global warming.

Thanks to all our community partners: Right to Clean Water, MODS, Activities with Alexa, SeaTurtle OP, Cotton Talk, the CLEO institute, and MangroLife.

Would you like to participate in the next project? Email [email protected] to apply!

 

The Climate Crisis 2022: Part 1- The Greenhouse Gas Effect

Hello, my name is Tiffany. I am a member of the Flamingo Garden’s Eco-teers, a volunteer outreach group that focus on environmental projects in Broward County promoting habitat protection, coastal resilience, and climate education.

Today we have teamed up with the CLEO Institute to help connect the dots between climate science, impacts and solutions. The CLEO Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to climate education and advocacy. All the information presented in this article comes from reputable, scientific organizations and institutions.

Before you can understand the climate crisis you need to understand the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse gas effect is the natural heating (global warming) of the Earth’s surface by heat-trapping gases (called greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere that trap heat radiating from Earth toward space.2

The flow of incoming solar energy is equivalent to the flow of outgoing heat from Earth towards space. When the outgoing heat (outgoing because it’s heading back to outer space) energy encounters greenhouse gases, the gasses trap the outgoing heat keeping it in the atmosphere! The heat is then re-radiated back towards the Earth again, creating a blanketing effect. This supplemental heating of the Earth’s surface by heat-trapping gases is called the greenhouse gas effect. The greenhouse gas effect is necessary for life on Earth. It keeps the Earth at a perfect temperature. Without it, we would live on a frozen tundra.

  1. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/EnergyBalance

The problem is that TOO MUCH of that energy that is supposed to be outgoing into space, is instead being trapped by greenhouse gases. Why? Because human kind has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gasses, like Carbon dioxide (CO2).

Before the Industrial Revolution, natural climate variation caused atmospheric CO2 to vary between 200 ppm (parts per million) in the ice ages and 300 ppm in warmer temperatures. Today we are at 414 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere, a statistically significant differenceRemember, that when we talk about climate change – we are taking about a change in precipitation and temperature patterns over a long period of time, spanning up from hundreds to millions of years.

Scientists have identified how much CO2 comes from natural sources, and how much comes from combusted fossil fuel sources. Compared to other carbon sources, carbon from fossil fuels has a distinctly different “signature,” or molecular fingerprint. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important heat-trapping (greenhouse) gas, and it is known as the driver of climate change. CO2 is released through human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Certain natural processes release CO2, like plants and human respiration and volcanic eruptions, but natural processes are not causing this statistical increase – the rate at which humans are pumping greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere is.

https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/carbon-dioxide/

There are some that do not believe in climate change but there is a scientific consensus on the matter. 99% of international climate scientists agree that global warming is increasing, it is caused by human activity, and it is happening now.

Think of it this way – If a fireman calls you and tells you they are 97% sure your house is on fire, are you going to stand around and think about the 3% of uncertainty or are you going to ask him to put out the fire?

Experts are telling us our planet is on fire- what we do next will determine the future of the planet.

The climate crisis impacts everything that we care about. We all have one thing in common- Earth, and it’s the only one we have.  Everything we care about is connected to our planet, which is why we must do everything we can to preserve it. Now.

 

About the Author- Tiffany Engel is a Senior at David Posnack Jewish Day School and volunteer member of Flamingo Gardens’ Eco-teers. Her blog The Greenhouse Gas Effect is Part 1 of the “Climate Change 101” presentation presented by the Eco-teers as part of their November 2022 Climate Fair. Look for Part II, Climate Change Impacts, to follow next month.

Your Guide To Unique Holiday Gift Giving

As the holidays approach, we hear more and more about the experience-based and personalized gifts trends- the gifts that keep giving. Flamingo Gardens has these types of unique options of gift giving to thrill everyone on your list.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving – A Gift of Membership is a gift of a year filled with experiences. Flamingo Gardens’ doors are open to your gift recipient every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) a year at no cost. They can enjoy a leisurely day at the gardens, ride the narrated tram to our back acreage, have close up visits with 550+ wildlife, stroll through lush, natural gardens, and take a tour of the Historic Wray Home and The Gallery to see the latest exhibit.

Your gift membership recipient will be able to attend our spectacular daytime events as well with their member pass, including Flamingo Fest, Harvest Festival, Concerts in the Gardens Series, Flamingo Gardens Orchid Society Show, Exotic Plant Festival, and our summer exhibit in the gardens.

Members receive 20% discount on tickets for accompanying guests, free or discounted entry at reciprocal gardens and attractions, and 10% discounts on purchases at our Gift Shop and Food Services. Members receive an additional 10% off at Gift Shop and Food Services during the month of December.

Pick Up Something Special in our Gift Shop! Browse Flamingo Gardens’ Gift Shop for other unique gift ideas like puzzles, books, toys, stuffed animals, jewelry, home goods, and ornaments. Open daily 9:30am to 5pm.

Learn more and purchase Gift Memberships at https://flamingogardens.org/membership/.  

Need help? Contact [email protected] or call 954-473-2955.

Tribute Gift Tree Plaques make thoughtful gifts to celebrate the lives of those who have held a special place in their hearts for Flamingo Gardens. Make a tribute donation to honor a loved one, pay tribute to a friend, or simply mark a special occasion. Tree plaques are available with a minimum $500 donation. It typically takes 4-6 weeks for plaques to be installed. The gift of a Tribute Plaque includes a 1-Year Membership (up to Family Level).

For more information or to order your plaque, visit https://flamingogardens.org/donate-flamingo-gardens and go to the “Tribute Gifts” section.

Please note that Champion trees and other distinctive trees are not available at the $500 price. To find out what trees are available, please email [email protected] or call 954-473-2955.

Food & Wine Benefit Tickets are a perfect gift for those on your list who like to step out in style. Our 10th Annual Benefit, A Party in Pink, will take place at Flamingo Gardens as the last pink streaks of sunset give way to the glow of the full moon and pink twinkle lights. Guests will be tickled pink over tastings of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts, paired with wine and craft beer tastings.  Enjoy captivating live music, visits from favorite Animal Ambassadors, and exciting live and silent auctions.

Tickets are $125 for members, $150 for nonmembers, and a table of ten is $1,250.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://flamingogardens.org/events-calendar/a-party-in-pink-10th-annual-food-wine-benefit.

Animal Adoption Certificates for your animal lover friends! Your gift recipient will become a wildlife guardian at Flamingo Gardens with your donation of $50. Adoption Program is a symbolic adoption of one of our wildlife species. The recipient will receive a personalized adoption certificate, fact sheet about the chosen adopted wildlife species, and two free passes to Flamingo Gardens.

To make a donation for an Animal Adoption, visit https://flamingogardens.org/donate-flamingo-gardens/ and click on “Adopt an Animal.”

Volunteer of the Month: Henry Roesslhumer

Our Volunteer of the Month for October 2022 is Henry Roesslhumer.

Henry started volunteering at Flamingo Gardens in September and has already accumulated close to 70 hours. With dreams of one day becoming a veterinarian, Henry has been volunteering in our Animal Care Department early in the morning preparing diets and cleaning enclosures. On top of those hours, he volunteered every Saturday and Sunday during Harvest Fest, assisting with pony rides, hayrides, and the Gallery exhibit. He even helped with renovations for the Animal Care department. He’s always willing to do whatever we ask and his hard work and commitment to volunteering are truly appreciated!

Thank you Henry!