Tonight's special speaker was a woman from CRES, Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, at the Wild Animal Park in Escondido. She began her talk with science literacy in America and comical examples by college graduates of some common misconceptions. Science literacy is important in order for people to have a true understanding of issues like global warming, the loss of biodiversity, and the intrinsic value that biodiversity holds. She discussed the PISCES Project, the Partnerships Involving the Scientific Community in Elementary Schools, which is partnering over two hundred teachers in more than forty schools across San Diego county, Baja California Sur, Mexico, and the North Slope of Alaska. Among other things, distance learning has been hosted between the schools allowing children from widely varying climates and landscapes to learn about each other's local biodiversity. Other questions are answered as well, like if it's difficult to ride bikes in the snow. =)CRES works diligently to keep the public informed and involved and also to help teachers and students as much as possible. They expose the public to important issues, help teachers in their educational goals, assist students with related career interests, and positively influence biodiversity. CRES has accessible education labs and is open to visits by schools and the public at their Beckman Center. They conduct summer institutes for teachers to share advances in the field of conservation; the teachers are able to interact with scientists at this time and gain much knowledge to pass on to their classes.
This year they hosted Furry Forensics- a DNA Mystery. The scenario was set: someone had been eating from the food bin at night, and the "culprit" had left a bit of hair behind on the corner of the bin. Students were given hair samples and mug shots of four "suspects", a horse, a goat, a pig, and a deer. The students were actually able to extract DNA from each of the samples and compare it to the DNA of the hair that had been left behind, which they enjoyed immensely. They determined that the guilty party in the imaginary scenario was Ed the horse, though they also decided that he could have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Next year they will continue with Feathered Forensics, where students will again extract actual DNA to determine which bird laid an egg in their enclosure! Other student programs include tracking California condors, special workshops, and a botanical program where students take plants from initial propagation through to the marketing of the grown fruits and vegetables, using the money they earn to benefit their school. If a student chooses a career in conservation, CRES will mentor them through high school and even into their career!
We learned that the county of San Diego has the highest number of endemic, or native, species, but also that many of them are threatened. CRES works hard to increase the public's pride in their native biodiversity. This natural plethora of species is one of the things that makes this area the beautiful and magical place that it is! I'm glad to know that so many people care for and love it so much.
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