September 15, 2019

Students at Cedar Key School have a wide variety of program options. Some belong to Future Farmers of America, some enroll in Advanced Placement courses, some attend dual enrollment courses. One special program begun in recent years is the S.A.L.T. program, or Shark Aquaculture Life Training.

SALT is designed to make future watermen and waterwomen knowledgeable about the waters in which they wish to work, become certified in boat safety, first aid, and more, and become advocates for clean water and safe and healthy work place practices.

Under the guidance and instruction of Cedar Key School Teacher Rachel Weatherington, this year’s SALT students include Trey Stanfield, Ty Winfield, Jadyn Beckham, Coy McCall ,and Lane Sharp.  Completing the class, but not in this day's efforts, are Zander Stanley and Sam Parks.

Tue to their purpose, these students know that what goes into Cedar Key’s storm drains may well go into the waters where locals recreate and watermen and women harvest. Their response: mark the drains with reminders to not place debris down them; they are for water drainage only.

“Tree limbs, grass cuttings, dog excrement, and all else are not to be put down the drains,” explained Lane Sharp. That kind of debris explained Trey Stanfield, “clogs up the city’s $15,000 whale tail,” which is located at the G Street beach. The whale tail, essentially a flap, opens when storm water flushes out off the streets and remains closed the rest of the time. Weatherington said proudly, “These kids are here to take care of what they have.”

Instructor Weatherington further explained that she and her group have written for a grant to scientifically study the debris that goes down the drains and into the whale tail. The research question will include this idea: Is it aquaculture, household, or lawn debris that is being put own the drains improperly?

So, Weatherington and her charges, with the assistance of Vie-Mayor Sue Colson, ventured out onto the streets this week to paint the messages near the drains. Do, please, heed the message!

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