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Girl Scouts in Mississippi Invited to Launch of the Gulf Awareness Patch

Release Date: 10/15/2014
Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, 404-562-8293 (direct), 404-562-8400 (main), marraccini.davina@epa.gov

ATLANTA – Girl Scouts in Mississippi will soon have an opportunity to earn a “Gulf Awareness Patch,” demonstrating their commitment to preserving the Gulf Coast ecosystem, thanks to a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi.

Brownies (2nd and 3^rd grade Girl Scouts) from throughout the state are invited to the launch of the Gulf Awareness Patch program this Saturday, Oct. 18, at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Ben Scaggs, EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program Office Director, together with Lissa Frank, Girl Program Director for the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi, and Christopher Snyder, USM’s Marine Education Center Director, will be on hand to launch the program.

Rain or shine, the Brownies will take part in five activities designed to educate participants on the importance of conserving the Gulf. Participants will learn various water quality testing methods and learn how to use a seine net to collect organisms in the surf zone. There will be a lesson on climate change and how everyone can make a difference. Participants will receive a Gulf Awareness Patch upon completion of the event.

The Gulf Awareness Patch will be used as an education and outreach tool, and can be earned on multiple occasions throughout the calendar year. Troops may register for the event by visiting the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi website: http://gsogm.wildapricot.org/event-1766862?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=10/9/2014

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