On May 19, the DISL hosted kayaker and activist Margo Pelligrino, who is on a journey from Miami to New Orleans to bring awareness of the need to provide wise stewardship of our oceans.

Ms. Pelligrino declares she is not a professional athlete by any means, but an ordinary mother who wishes to leave her two children, and indeed all children, an environment and global legacy that is both sustained and sustainable.  Her goal is to urge federal support of legislation for a "Health Oceans Act."

She departed Branch Oceanographic Institute at Fort Pierce, FL, on April 15, 2009, and paddled 1200 miles to New Orleans, LA, in 39 days, stopping along the way to collect S.O.S. (Save Our Oceans) messages that she will deliver to Congress. When she reached Ft. Morgan, she spent the night on the point in one of the old officer's quarters before paddling across to Billy Goat Hole and DISL. After some coffee, rest, and a shower, she met with staff members of the DISL and toured the lab and Estuarium.  She then continued her trip, paddling towards Biloxi, MS.

In her blog, Ms. Pelligrino writes, "The Estuarium was extremely interesting to me. Its entire focus is on wetlands and how their health directly impacts the health of our coastal waters and beyond. It brings home the land-sea connection, and our impact on this vital process, unlike any exhibit I've ever seen before."

For more on Ms. Pelligrino's journey and mission visit:

http://www.miami2maine.com
http://www.onearth.org/author/healthyoceanspaddle