Dolphin, Manatee and Shark! Oh, My! Bucs' QB Shares Fantasy with Children's Group

The Florida Aquarium hosted Chris Simms and 12 children from The Children’s Home for a unique educational experience at Fantasy Island, a 4-acre spoil island in the bay, site of a joint restoration project. Simms developed the Wild Adventures program out of his love for nature and animals.

(PRWEB) July 17, 2006 -- The Florida Aquarium hosted Chris Simms and 12 children from The Children’s Home for a unique educational experience at Fantasy Island, a 4-acre spoil island in the bay, site of a joint restoration project. Simms developed the Wild Adventures program out of his love for nature and animals. Fantasy Island places children in the middle of the learning experience with total emersion in a project that has far reaching implications.

While seining along the beach, the group was thrilled by the sight of a small bonnethead shark. They also saw a dozen wild dolphin while traveling from the Florida Aquarium to Fantasy Island. Just before departing back to the Aquarium, several of the children were delighted by the rare sighting of several manatees just off shore.

Educational kiosks are scattered along a trail that tell the story of the project, the ecology of the bay and about the cooperative work possible between organizations. The Florida Aquarium incorporates the island in its educational programs, using it as an offsite classroom. One of the highlights will be the importance of native vegetation in fragile coastal ecosystems.

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