10,000 Islands Dolphin Project: Adventure, Discovery, Research & Education
We live and work on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida. Known as "Florida's
last Paradise", the area is made up of beautiful, but fragile, beaches, rivers, bays waterways and estuaries. It includes prime examples of what is considered nearly pristine subtropical estuaries. Over the past 20 years, because of this beauty, the human population has exploded, both with travelers and part-time residents. This is leading to over-fishing, over-use of fragile eco-systems and pollution. Additionally, we are concerned with long-term effects of the Gulf Oil Spill and this winter's massive marine life kill due to extreme cold waters.
To address these concerns, we launched the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project in February 2006. The Project is designed 1.) to determine and monitor the area's wild dolphin population and 2.) engage the general public as "citizen scientists" in our work while educating them in the fragility of the coastal eco-system. Over the past 5 years, we have engaged over 22,000 clients in our efforts.
During this period, we began to realize that evolving technologies could not only improve our on-board data gathering efforts, but potentially increase the exposure and involvement in our work dramatically. Now, we can deliver wild dolphin field survey work "direct from the boat to the home and classroom" on a "real-time" basis, offering the global community the opportunity to learn and participate as "citizen scientists" in our work. Through our new Research & Educational facility (website), researchers, universities, students, families and others can assist in identifying dolphins sighted within the past 24 hours, follow their movements, behavior and other dolphins they were with through goggle map. Through a series of "queries", they can perform simple and complex science projects.
At the local level, we believe involvement in the Project by K12 students, in both our field survey work and website, will better prepare them, as local residents, to better care for the future care of their eco-system.
On a national and global basis, we believe the concept of "direct from the boat to the home and classroom" offer a break-through educational tool consistent with the way students want to learn today.
Please see video: http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/107131752
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Chris
Last Name
Desmond
Website
Organization
10,000 Islands Dolphin Project
Country
United States, FL, Collier County
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
Sea Excursions, Inc
Organization Website
Organization Phone
239-642-6899
Organization Address
P.O.Box 500, Marco Island, FL 34146
Is your organization a
For‐profit
Organization Country
United States, FL, Collier County
Your idea
Name Your Project
10,000 Islands Dolphin Project: Adventure, Discovery, Research & Education
Country your work focuses on
United States, FL, Collier County
Describe Your Idea
We live and work on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida. Known as "Florida's
last Paradise", the area is made up of beautiful, but fragile, beaches, rivers, bays waterways and estuaries. It includes prime examples of what is considered nearly pristine subtropical estuaries. Over the past 20 years, because of this beauty, the human population has exploded, both with travelers and part-time residents. This is leading to over-fishing, over-use of fragile eco-systems and pollution. Additionally, we are concerned with long-term effects of the Gulf Oil Spill and this winter's massive marine life kill due to extreme cold waters.
To address these concerns, we launched the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project in February 2006. The Project is designed 1.) to determine and monitor the area's wild dolphin population and 2.) engage the general public as "citizen scientists" in our work while educating them in the fragility of the coastal eco-system. Over the past 5 years, we have engaged over 22,000 clients in our efforts.
During this period, we began to realize that evolving technologies could not only improve our on-board data gathering efforts, but potentially increase the exposure and involvement in our work dramatically. Now, we can deliver wild dolphin field survey work "direct from the boat to the home and classroom" on a "real-time" basis, offering the global community the opportunity to learn and participate as "citizen scientists" in our work. Through our new Research & Educational facility (website), researchers, universities, students, families and others can assist in identifying dolphins sighted within the past 24 hours, follow their movements, behavior and other dolphins they were with through goggle map. Through a series of "queries", they can perform simple and complex science projects.
At the local level, we believe involvement in the Project by K12 students, in both our field survey work and website, will better prepare them, as local residents, to better care for the future care of their eco-system.
On a national and global basis, we believe the concept of "direct from the boat to the home and classroom" offer a break-through educational tool consistent with the way students want to learn today.
Please see video: http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/107131752
Website URL
http://www.dolphinstudy.com (primary) & www.dolphin-explorer.com
Would you like to participate in the MIF Opportunity 2010?
No
Innovation
What makes your idea unique and innovative?
Our innovation is at two inter-connected levels. We are the first in the U.S. to engage on-board clients in field survey work of wild dolphins and that our work is entirely funded by our on-board clients. They participate in sightings, counts and individual dolphin photo-identification. Clients are provided with catalogs containing the names, codes and photos of all identified dolphins. At each sighting, we photographic, print and distribute a photo to our clients to compare to the catalog. Families with young children participate in "The Dolphin Challenge", an activity that replicates our dolphin work and information gathering about other marine life sighted.
At the second level, through our Research & Education facility website, we make all of our research available to the general public and in an interactive and engaging manner. This transparency and interaction is helpful is shaping public policy.
Using an on-board wifi PC Tablet, all sighting data is instantly forwarded to a land-based sophisticated database tied to our Research & Educational facility. Photos are uploaded that day. This "direct from the boat to the home and classroom" capability provides a unique opportunity offering science in a timely form that, we consider, is the next generation of learning.
We have been approached by a major university system interested in using our software and approach for its marine mammal research.
Given the need to understand wildlife conservation, climate change and the use of information technologies in furthering research and education, we believe our approach is much needed.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had on your clients and the tourism sector?
One measure of our impact on clients is the number and frequency of returning clients. Approximately 25-30% of our clients have taken the trip before. Of these, most have taken the trip 2 to 4 times, with many having taken it 8 to 12 times over the past 5 years. It is our experience that returning clients have a better understanding of the eco-system and marine life then first time clients. Our clients who made reservations through our travel agent, ZERVE, give us a 4.7-4.8 rating out of 5. We receive a high level of referrals from clients who have taken the trip.
In the local tourism sector, we are clearly regarded as one of the top tours in SW Florida. We has set a new standard for "eco-tours" in an area that has had many "greenwash" tours in the past. This is recognized by other local tour operators and residents. We attract travelers from all over the State and country who visit the area just to take the trip.
Problem
First, no wild dolphin research have been performed in Southwest Florida. Given the dramatic growth of the human population in the area, climate change and other factors, we believe this is essential. Dolphins are one of the top predators in the area, their health is a key indicator of the health of the eco-system. Second is the lack of understanding and /or appreciation of marine life and the eco-system. Our experience over the past five years is the majority of first-time clients have little or any. Many first time clients do not realize the effects of the feeding wild dolphins or that they are not what we ( in the US ) are served in restaurants. Most of our clients are U.S. citizens. Given the demands of their day-to-day lives, their connection to the planet is limited. We consider it essential to reach more than our current client base.
Actions
Our on-board survey efforts will continue to expand geographically over the next years. It is our objective to survey 50 miles of coastal waters. Our big push is 1.) at the local level, connecting both levels of our Project, the on-board trip with the Research & Education facility and 2.) working to attract an educational publisher to offer it to school systems nationally.
At the local level, we are in discussions with the County School System who are most interested in participating. The idea is to have high school science students come on the trip and do the actual survey work. Over the semester, they would follow the dolphins they sighted through the Research & Education facility and, through the queries, develop their own science projects. Achieving this will provide an important anchor to next steps. We will need the financial support of local businesses to do this.
Results
First, we expect that students who participate in the Project will be better equipped as adults to decide on what forms of growth are appropriate to coastal areas. This better understanding is essential to the future. We also believe that young people can also have a major impact on their parents' thinking and actions. The use of the facility by families at home will go a long ways to achieve this.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
In early 2011, we are announcing the new Research & Educational facility website. Our announcement will target school systems, educational publishers, general media and local businesses. We will then approach local businesses (lending institutions, investment organizations, etc.) to become sponsors of our efforts with the Collier County K12 School System. Their sponsorships will pay of the students being on the boat and maintaining the Research & Education facility. During 2011, we will make contact with leading educational publishers. While we believe this will be a long process, we feel that by the end of the year, we will be in a relationship with one of them.
In 2012, we believe that our local efforts will have traction. Our objective is to have 12 science classes from the County experiencing the Project at both levels. We believe that the local business community will support the effort. It is within this year that we hope to have the Research & Education facility used by a major educational publisher. Its design, to engage families and students in identifying dolphins, will require additional staffing. We will be seeking national sponsors to support these additions.
In 2013, our focus will be on exploring expanding the local school concept to other counties in Florida and other states. This will happen naturally based upon the reach of the facility through a educational publisher. Additionally, we will focus on the publication of "The Dolphin Explorer Chronicles", the blog contained within the Research & Education facility. The blog will be the observations, sightings and thoughts of the crew of the Dolphin Explorer made over the next three years. While the form of publication is open, its target audience is intended to be the general audience.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
As with most projects, the success of the second level of the Project will likely take longer then projected. There are two obvious things that could prevent it from occurring. First would be the lack of support by local businesses. Should this happen, we will approach local individuals and foundations. Second would be that educational publishers are not interested in the Project. Should this occur, we will approach the individual school systems of surrounding counties. While the Project may not reach its full potential, it will achieve some level of success that will improve individual's knowledge and perception of our coastal habitat.
How many people will your project serve annually?
More than 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy or introduce models and tools that benefit the tourism sector in general?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for more than 5 years
In what country?
United States, FL, Collier County
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Sea Excursions, Inc.
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
We work closely with the Collier County Visitors and Convention Bureau. They have been responsible for arranging for writers, journalists, radio hosts and television producers to take the trip resulting in many media articles and segments being produced.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
#1 is attracting funding to allow local school students to participate in the Project. It cost us approximately $1,000 for 20 students to take the three hour trip and do the work. Our plan is to have the students work as four person survey teams ( crew chief, photographer, observer and data recorder). They will do real work on the boat. Additional funds are required to maintain the Research & Education facility as they utilize it during the semester following their dolphins and performing research analysis.
#2 is attracting a leading educational publisher. This will require a major effort and we are a small organization, so our efforts will have to be initially electronic. This is where support by a third party would be welcome.
#3 is attracting major sponsors to support the use of the facility by "citizen scientists". As the use of the facility grows and more "citizen scientist" interaction occurs, increases in staffing will be required. Additionally, we know with this growth, the design and content of the facility will change.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
As with many innovations, it has been more of an evolution than one moment of brilliance. Our on-board survey efforts took a year to think through before launching the effort in 2006. We had to consider how we would engage clients in a way that they believed they were making a contribution, making a difference and learning.
If there was a defining moment , it was over the past year when we realized that, with recent improvements in technology, we could create a Research & Education facility tied directly, via wifi, to our on-board information gathering system...and that this information could be available to all via the Internet. We then knew that properly designed, visitors to the facility could engage as "citizen scientists", identifying dolphins that had been sighted within the past 24 hours.
We believe this "transparency" of research information being available to all through the Internet is essential. Not only is the information available to universities, other dolphin research organizations and government agencies, it is available to the general public. Public policy is shaped by a knowledgeable public. Given climate change, the need of conservation and the protection of our coastal areas, we believe this transparency and general public involvement is essential in shaping these policies.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Sea Excursions' staff are the social innovators behind the idea. As with all social innovators, huge amounts of personal time and passion, both on and off the boat , had to be generously provided to get to where we are.
Chris Desmond is the Founder and Director of the Project. He brought the initial idea to Sea Excursions six years ago and is responsible for its design and day-to-day implementation. He has provided the lead in introducing the on-board data gathering technology and in the development of the new Research & Educational facility. Chris will be the lead in presenting the Project to educators, educational publishers and potential sponsors. Chris is a Master Mariner whose background includes teaching, media, technology development and strategic planning.
Kent Morse is Sea Excursions Resident Naturalist and Manager of the new Research & Education facility database. Kent has been with the Project since its launch and has been responsible for many of the collateral materials used on the boat. He has assisted in and, in many instances, taken the lead in the development of the database/photo collection system and website that supports the Research & Education facility. Kent's background includes leading eco-educational tours in Alaska and the Baja peninsular
Rocky Beaudry is the owner of Sea Excursions. Rocky saw the "idea" in 2005 and took the risk by providing his boat, which was renamed the "Dolphin Explorer", and committed to marketing the concept. He has become an ardent supporter of the concept and committed to supporting the Research & Educational facility.
In developing the software for the database and the website, we have been most fortunate to associate with Alan Ericson of Palmtree Software. Alan immediately understood what we were attempting to accomplish and put in enormous amounts of time designing both the database and website. Alan has dedicated much of his time because he believes in the value of the idea to science and education.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Newsletter from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
50 words or fewer
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| survey_area_i_map.jpg | 80.53 KB |
| aerial_view_of_marco_island.jpg | 33.72 KB |
| dolphins_hugging_2.jpg | 31.11 KB |
| manatee.jpg | 48.21 KB |
| osprey.jpg | 28.26 KB |
| rospoonbill.jpg | 46.25 KB |
| snowy_white_egret.jpg | 80.52 KB |
| dolphin_hugging_1.jpg | 65.36 KB |
| dolphin_with_lunch.jpg | 31.02 KB |
 | 128 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
| 129 weeks ago chris desmond updated this Competition Entry. |
