Blue Green Hand Society Highlights Mangrove Issues
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Sitting from left to right: Raina Hallera (Secretary), Christine Nguyen (Publicist), Manpreet Bassi (Treasurer) Standing from left to right: Lety Sanchez (R21 Coordinator), Simranjit Kaur Grewal (President), Harpreet Kaur (Activities Coordinator), Eshani Nandita (Vice President) |
Long Live Mangroves
The Blue Green Hand Society
(BGHS) is a college-based club that started out in the year 2011. Our main goal
revolves around environmental and community service. We began with a total of
six members and all were the officers. After recruiting a handful of members,
we began planning out volunteer activities. We searched for causes that we were
most passionate about. Before we knew it, we went from planning campus cleanups
to having an entire week devoted to the Mangrove Action Project (MAP).
(BGHS) is a college-based club that started out in the year 2011. Our main goal
revolves around environmental and community service. We began with a total of
six members and all were the officers. After recruiting a handful of members,
we began planning out volunteer activities. We searched for causes that we were
most passionate about. Before we knew it, we went from planning campus cleanups
to having an entire week devoted to the Mangrove Action Project (MAP).
BGHS hosted MAP week during Earth Week this year and
raised a hundred and forty dollars for the project. Most students did not even
know what mangroves were but after a brief introduction, students were coming back
with comments such as, “I asked the people at the restaurant if my shrimp was
imported. I told them that I was concerned about the mangroves.”
raised a hundred and forty dollars for the project. Most students did not even
know what mangroves were but after a brief introduction, students were coming back
with comments such as, “I asked the people at the restaurant if my shrimp was
imported. I told them that I was concerned about the mangroves.”
After a week of fundraising and raising awareness,students and professors felt more informed about the current status and the of
mangroves. These were some of the thoughts compiled from students after
learning about why we need to save the mangroves:
Simranjit Grewal: “Serving as a voice for the MAP was life changing. It opened my eyes
to how little we know about the world and changes we need to make as a human
species.”
to how little we know about the world and changes we need to make as a human
species.”
Leticia
Sanchez: “As human beings we must understand the value of nature and our impact
in the world; it can be positive or it can be negative. Promoting the
well-being of mangroves has definitely made a positive impact. I hope our
fellow peers, colleagues, neighbors and our communities are able to make
responsible choices.”
Sanchez: “As human beings we must understand the value of nature and our impact
in the world; it can be positive or it can be negative. Promoting the
well-being of mangroves has definitely made a positive impact. I hope our
fellow peers, colleagues, neighbors and our communities are able to make
responsible choices.”
Christine
Nguyen: “There are times where I wonder when it will be enough; is it possible
that by spreading awareness we will make a difference? The truth is, it does.
One voice can make all the difference and I’m glad we were one of the voices.”
Nguyen: “There are times where I wonder when it will be enough; is it possible
that by spreading awareness we will make a difference? The truth is, it does.
One voice can make all the difference and I’m glad we were one of the voices.”
Manpreet
Bassi: “I was very surprised how the shrimp population is in danger due to the
elimination of the mangrove trees. This is another sign that reminds us to
respect and care for other species on earth. We, as humans, care only about us.
We want our food to be delicious no matter how much it is hurting our
environment. This is just another story that reflects our selfish behavior. We
need to change that by restoring the mangroves.”
Bassi: “I was very surprised how the shrimp population is in danger due to the
elimination of the mangrove trees. This is another sign that reminds us to
respect and care for other species on earth. We, as humans, care only about us.
We want our food to be delicious no matter how much it is hurting our
environment. This is just another story that reflects our selfish behavior. We
need to change that by restoring the mangroves.”
Raina Hallera: “MAP’s
initiative to conserve mangroves reduces the farming of shrimp in the process.
As an admirer of nature, being able to protect two species at once by bringing
the issues to light is a victory.”
initiative to conserve mangroves reduces the farming of shrimp in the process.
As an admirer of nature, being able to protect two species at once by bringing
the issues to light is a victory.”
Darryl
Lopez: “I’m glad that Blue Green Hand Society is working
together with MAP to inform the general public about environmental problems
such as mangrove loss and shoreline erosion. It feels great promoting
environmental awareness during MAP week.”
Lopez: “I’m glad that Blue Green Hand Society is working
together with MAP to inform the general public about environmental problems
such as mangrove loss and shoreline erosion. It feels great promoting
environmental awareness during MAP week.”
Eshani
Nandita: “I grew up in Fiji where mangroves are really prominent. I remember
learning about its uses and how it keeps the entire ecosystem healthy. Upon
discovering MAP, it brought back all the thoughts and feelings I had towards
mangroves. Now, I feel much more informed and much more passionate about the
lives of mangroves!”
Nandita: “I grew up in Fiji where mangroves are really prominent. I remember
learning about its uses and how it keeps the entire ecosystem healthy. Upon
discovering MAP, it brought back all the thoughts and feelings I had towards
mangroves. Now, I feel much more informed and much more passionate about the
lives of mangroves!”
Harpreet
Kaur: “I do not feel optimistic about earth if we continue heading on this same
path. By cutting mangrove trees, we are abusing nature and its resources. We do
not have to be environmentalists to give love and respect to the nature it
truly deserves. We are all equally responsible for earth. We all have had our
moments in the mountains, in the quiet forest, or on the seashore, when we were
stunned by the beauty of nature. We need to preserve that beauty and take
responsibility of our actions.”
Kaur: “I do not feel optimistic about earth if we continue heading on this same
path. By cutting mangrove trees, we are abusing nature and its resources. We do
not have to be environmentalists to give love and respect to the nature it
truly deserves. We are all equally responsible for earth. We all have had our
moments in the mountains, in the quiet forest, or on the seashore, when we were
stunned by the beauty of nature. We need to preserve that beauty and take
responsibility of our actions.”
Likewise, MAP week touched the
hearts of many! BGHS will continue working with MAP for the 2013-2014 year. We
will continue educating CSU Stanislaus about the dangers of over shrimping and clearing
mangroves.
hearts of many! BGHS will continue working with MAP for the 2013-2014 year. We
will continue educating CSU Stanislaus about the dangers of over shrimping and clearing
mangroves.