Field Trip to ORA

[anative]

Members,

ORCA is planning a field trip to ORA in Fort Pierce where we will have a special behind the scenes tour of their coral propagation facility. This is a very rare opportunity as they don't normally allow visitors. For more information on ORA check out their website.

Because we are limited to only 40 attendees this trip is only available to current ORCA members. We had 28 sign up at the last 2 meetings and as of right now only have 12 spots open.

Trip Details:
Date: Saturday June 10th
Time: Departing promptly at 8:00 am, Return approx 4:00 pm.
Departure Point: BJ's on Lake Underhill Road, near the intersection of Alafaya Trail (Waterford Lakes) in Orlando. 12200 Lake Underhill Road, Orlando, FL 32825
Cost: $15, includes transportation and a Bag Lunch
Lunch: Sandwich (Turkey or Roast Beef), a bag of chips, a piece of fruit, a cookie, a brownie, and beverages.

We have chartered a Mears Transportation bus like the one pictured below for transportation. For security reasons all attendees MUST travel on the bus to attend the tour. You CANNOT drive your own vehicle.

If you would like to attend you can pay via Paypal by clicking here.

Jon Clements
Treasurer
Orlando Reef Caretakers Association, Inc.

 

[anative]

We will also be making a side trip over to the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce. It features the oldest coral reef exhibit in the country.

The cost of visiting the museum is included in the $15 for the trip.

Jon

 

[adnup]

Not that I'll get so lucky, but in the event that you dont get enough members to go can I be the first on the list of non-members?
Thanks

 

[cschweitzer]

Why not just become a member? It's not that expensive and it is a great organization. You will be happy you signed up.

 

[Reefmedic79]

Hey Jon, are we allowed to bring a camera with us to ORA?

 

[anative]

I believe so.

Jon

 

[dmbedard]

Would you be interested in having ANCHOR members join you? We have a small club North of Tampa Bay with about 10 members. Some may want to car pool over to join the festivities???

Diane

 

[anative]

Only four more spots open. If you are interested in going sign up by following this link:

ORCA Field Trip to ORA

We need to get a final count to the caterer by Wednesday so we will be cutting off registrations then.

Jon Clements
Treasurer
Orlando Reef Caretakers Association, Inc.

 

[cschweitzer]

Anyone who misses this will regret it. This is an amazing opportunity and I hope everyone takes advantage of it. This is not to be missed. See everyone there. People many times forget how lucky we are to live in on of the only places in America that has coral and a state that has large suppliers of coral (I would guess only behind CA).

 

[loosbrew]

it would be awesome but no vegetarian option on th ebus nor have i had enough time to sign up for ORCA in the first place! see what im missing now!

have fun all...

luis

 

[cschweitzer]

Hey...I'll put a couple pieces of lettuce and a pack of ketchup on some white bread for you. Vegetarians are funny!!!

I don't know where we stand and if any other officer knows, are we allowing non-ORCA members on this tour? If they can, loos, you can come.

I'm a carnavore, but you don't see me take the bread off my sandwich... Hell, my tang eats as much meat as my other fish and he has no problems. I guess he's an herbavore that is definitely not a vegetarian. I'm just playing, I'm not trying to convert vegetarians over to meat...more veal for me. But if I was, here are my reasons behind it:

MY THEORY AS TO WHY VEGETARIANS NEED TO EAT MEAT:

Save our earth...leave the oygen producing plants, reduce overpopulation and food scarcity at the same time. In conclusion:EAT MEAT ONLY!!! (I think one scientist somewhere, I forget his name, said that vegetables cause cancer and that meat actually reduces it. Don't take my word for it, I may be incorrect on my studies. Just kidding for anyone who thought this part was true.)

Growing those vegetables is killing our corals: High phosphates involved in fertilizers...fertilizers runoff into the lakes and streams and out into the ocean. These fertilizers are not only a growth mechanism for plants, but also the algae that many small inverts live on as newborn state. This is causing an outbreak in the crown of thorns starfish in Australia. If you don't know, it is a problem that is wiping out the barrier reef. This is my reasoning(or excuse) as to why I stay away from vegetables. To save the reefs!!!

 

[cschweitzer]

I really hope everyone took that last post as friendly banter and not a personal mission statement. I was just bored.

 

[loosbrew]

lol, youre funny. but you realise that golf courses and overly green lawns are far worse than me growing my own vegetables. I dont need to use fertilizers other than compost, which I cant say either way its effects on the reefs...

but either way, makes me wonder how many serious reef keepers here eat seafood?

but hey, it wasn't my intention to highjack this thread...

luis

 

[loosbrew]

oh, and yes, I did take it as a joke

 

[cwegescheide]

Awww man!!! I'd like to go!!! I just moved to Tampa about a year ago. I'm close enough to Orlando!!! I'll even join da club!

Chris