Rivers are Life Premieres ‘The Captain & the Super Clams’
MIDLAND, Mich., June 5, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Today, Rivers are Life proudly premieres its newest film "The Captain & The Super Clams'' which takes viewers to the east coast of Florida to Indian River Lagoon. This journey brings us alongside River Heroes Dr. Todd Osbourne and fishing legend Captain Blair Wiggins, as they work to restore the clam population that was decimated by unregulated commercial clamming in the 1990s.
From being on the water each day, Captain Blair noticed a dramatic decrease in the local clam population. Clams work as natural filtration systems and the water quality began to deteriorate in their absence, creating mass algae blooms that blocked sunlight from reaching the seagrass, which is a vital part of the Indian River Lagoon’s ecosystem. Captain Blair knew that action needed to be taken to bring the clams back, so in 2019, he teamed up with Dr. Todd Osbourne and the Indian River Clam Restoration Project.
After days of searching for surviving clams, the team was only able to find 39 that survived in an area that once hosted over 9 billion clams. These 39 “super clams” were then transported to the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory where the team carefully bred them, producing millions of clams that were ready to be returned to the lagoon. The Indian River Clam Restoration Project team continues to carefully monitor the quality of the ecosystem by collecting data and conducting scientific water tests regularly. The team is also taking an innovative approach to building new breeding areas within the lagoon, such as using a drone to spread new clams across large areas which used to be done by hand.
"As an avid outdoor enthusiast, what was happening here in the lagoon was easily noticeable and we knew that changes needed to be made," said Dr. Todd Osbourne. "Teaming up with Blair and the Indian River Clam Restoration Project has allowed us to take a scientific approach while incorporating local knowledge and grassroots efforts from folks who love living and fishing here."
"The Captain & The Super Clams" showcases the positive impact that a local community can have on their natural surroundings. By monitoring and noticing the negative changes in the lagoon over time, the Indian River Lagoon community was able to pivot and provide resources that will help restore their local waterway, bringing a thriving clam population back to naturally filter the water.
"The Captain & The Super Clams" premieres June 5, 2024
Watch "The Captain & The Super Clams" here.
Contact Information:Katie Horning
Head of Brand, Rivers are Life Brand Division, BeAlive Inc.
khorning@gobealive.com
989-491-1019
Original Source: Rivers are Life Premieres 'The Captain & the Super Clams'
Education
Saint James School of Medicine Receives $30,000 Grant From UNDP for Launch of Bachelor’s-Level Program in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
KINGSTOWN, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, April 11, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Saint James School of Medicine (SJSM), a leading institution dedicated to providing quality medical education, is proud to announce the receipt of a $30,000 grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This significant financial support will spearhead the launch of an innovative Bachelor's-level program in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, aimed at improving the higher education offering in the country.
The new Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences is designed to offer comprehensive education and training in health sciences, preparing students for advanced medical degrees and careers in healthcare. With an emphasis on practical skills, research, and community health, the program is set to become a cornerstone of medical education in the Caribbean region.
Kaushik Guha, the Executive Vice President of Saint James School of Medicine, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the collaboration. "This generous grant from the UNDP marks a significant milestone for our institution and higher education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The idea for this program came from the Minister of Education of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Honourable Curtis King. With his help and guidance, and the financial support from UNDP, this program will help expand the higher education offering in St. Vincent and the Caribbean. The introduction of this program enables us to expand our academic offerings and reinforces our commitment to training competent, compassionate healthcare professionals capable of addressing global health challenges."
The funding from the UNDP will facilitate the development of state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, laboratories, and research centers. Additionally, it will support the implementation of community health initiatives, providing students with hands-on experience in addressing health issues within local communities.
Prospective students and interested parties can find more information about the program and application processes on the Saint James School of Medicine website.
About Saint James School of Medicine:
Saint James School of Medicine is committed to offering students a high-quality medical education at an affordable price. With campuses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Anguilla, SJSM is dedicated to producing highly skilled, ethical, and compassionate physicians who are ready to meet the healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow.
Contact Information:Dan Cuckovic
V.P. of Operations
dcuckovic@mail.sjsm.org
847-375-9121
Original Source: Saint James School of Medicine Receives $30,000 Grant From UNDP for Launch of Bachelor's-Level Program in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
