Course offering: Living on a Fragile Barrier Island

Submitted by Christine Harmon
Amelia Island Beach and Marine Life Conservancy
January 9, 2019 10:00 a.m.

The course curriculum is presented below:

Syllabus:   “Living on a fragile barrier island on a fragile planet”

Course Objective: Help participants understand the science of life and living on Amelia Island.   As a developed barrier island, life here presents some very unique opportunities and challenges for its inhabitants and visitors (human and other lifeforms)  The course is designed to integrate knowledge related to different aspects of our island environment so that we can individually and collectively make the best decisions for preserving life here. 

All sessions scheduled to be held at the Fernandina Beach County Club

February 7, 2019

2:00-2:20 PM Course and instructor introductions (F. Hopf)

2:20-3:00 PM: Brief geologic and geomorphic history Amelia Island (F Hopf)

3:15-4:15 PM The dynamics of the beach and dunes, how they work to protect the land and the critical vegetation of the dunes (F Hopf)

February 14, 2019

2:00-3:00 PM  Causes of beach loss and need for artificial nourishment; concerns for proper beach nourishment design and execution (F Hopf with support of Len Kreger)

3:15-4:15 PM Amelia Island as home and nesting site for endangered, threatened, and stressed wildlife (Len Kreger)

February 21, 2019 (Please note special time)

3:15-4:15 PM Critical habitat of the maritime forest (Margaret Kirkland)

February 28, 2019

2:00-2:30 PM Horseshoe crabs, their ancient history, habitat and role in modern medicine (F.Tovar)

2:30-3:00 PM The risks of a trash covered beach and a trash covered ocean (Christine Harmon)

3:15-4:15 PM Invasive species threats on the island (Justina Ducey of the  University of Florida Extension Service)

March 7, 2019  (Please note special time)

9:30 AM-10:30 AM Hurricanes and hurricane forecasting (Tim Deegan First Coast News)

10:45AM -11:45 AM Concerns of your County Emergency Response Manager (Billy Estep) 

March 14, 2019 

2:00-3:00 PM The history and realities of political action relative to the science of island functions (Ron Sapp – Fernandina Beach Commissioner and Mayor Emeritus)

3:15-4:15 PM Round table discussion with participants and presenters to identify actions (collective or individual) that should be taken in response to knowledge shared during the six weeks and potentially develop action plan(s)