When the judges were trying to choose a winner of the Duckey Eco-Essay Contest, Calvin the Catfish was clearly a front-runner. We loved that he didn’t let his blindness hold him back, but instead pushed him to do great things. But there was one small concern that arose: catfish are fresh water fish. How would we be able to incorporate him into our team of saltwater dwellers? It didn’t take long for the judges to decide that this stumbling block didn’t matter. That is what’s so great about Calvin and this story: we all come from different walks of life. And that’s okay. Our backgrounds are a reflection of who we are and that’s what makes us all unique. Despite where we come from, we all have the ability to come together to make positive changes in the world around us. I’m excited to have Calvin on board and look forward to seeing the new adventures that await him and the team!

We received over 200 entries for the Duckey Eco-Essay Contest and are excited to announce the winner. Congratulations to Phillip Pinarksi, a sixth grader at St. Ann School in Bartlett, Tennessee. His character, a blind catfish named Calvin, will be featured as one of the new Ocean Protectors in the next book. The judges were blown away by Phillip’s creativity and sensitivity of the character he created. Calvin’s willpower and strength despite his disability fits right in with the team’s motto: Believe it. Achieve it!

Also, a big congratulation goes out to the honorable mentions and finalists:

Finalists –
Shayla Gaffney: Caylie Crab; St. Ann School, Bartlett, TN
Robert Lawson: Shortfin Mako; St. Ann School, Bartlett, TN
Katrina Ung and Melissa Ball: Kamele Kame & Conan; Jaffrey Rindge Middle School, Jaffrey, NH
Nick Owens: Oarfish; St. Ann School, Bartlett, TN
Robert Harris: Terrance the Sea Turtle; St. Ann School, Bartlett, TN

Honorable Mentions -
Andres Salas:  Driag Koah (sea dragon); St. Ann School, Bartlett, TN

Special Youth Award –
Stephanie Yoshida, age 6: Crab; Hokolani Elementary School, Honolulu, HI

Click here to read the winning entries.

We all have seen and heard the news: the economy is in bad shape. While it does show signs of looking up, money is still tight. Unfortunately, kids have begun to feel the pinch of the economy. It’s no longer feasible to go out to eat as often or to see a movie every weekend. It can be stressful! Here are some tips to keep in mind when talking to kids about the economy:

1. Don’t be too dramatic. Avoid telling them that you don’t have enough money to pay the mortgage or the car payment. These types of statements will only cause anxiety.
2. But be honest. If you lost your job, tell them. If you are staying home everyday, worried about finding a new job, they are going to feel that stress. Be honest about the situation.
3. Emphasize the positives. Make sure that your children know they will always have a plate of food on the table and a warm bed to sleep in. It’s easy to dwell on the negatives, but make sure you stay optimistic. At the end of the day, you’re still the one person that they look up to the most.
4. Listen! Sometimes it may seem like our kids’ problems pale in comparison to our financial issues, but we need to take time out to listen to them. Even if they don’t have a plasma screen or the latest gaming system, knowing that they have parents to come home to who will listen to and support them is the most important thing.

As if we don’t have enough motivation to conserve and protect our seas, here is yet another reason. Scientists say that tourism and the construction of numerous chemical plants have caused a water shortage in the Dead Sea. It has shrunk a third of its size in just a half a century and it is estimated that the body of water will lose another third by the year 2100. This massive water shortage is creating dangerous sinkholes along the coastline where the water used to sit. “The holes form when a subterranean salt layer that once bordered the sea is dissolved by underground fresh water that follows the receding Dead Sea waters,” explains this article. These sinkholes are so dangerous that they have trapped and killed several unsuspecting tourists. While officials have tried to rope off these areas, it is impossible to get them all. And with no clear plan to fix this problem, it looks like the Dead Sea will keep dwindling and the sinkholes will keep growing. Sadly, these types of things are preventable and yet they are still happening all over the world.

Our kids and our environment are paying a heavy price because of our arrogance. When do we step back and realize that thinking only about the present is not in our best interest? I was told a long time ago: A decision made in haste – you will have to look back on. But a decision made with thought is a decision that stands the test of time. Take a look around and it’s easy to see that we have been so busy trying to maintain the here-and-now that we have forgotten to look ahead. Only recently has everyone jumped on the “green” bandwagon. If everyone had had this eco-friendly attitude even 50 years ago and passed it on to their children and grandchildren, can you imagine what our earth would be like today? No acid rain. No global warming. No endangered species. I know it’s never going to be a perfect world, but it’s never too late to start thinking about your and your child’s future. Even if you just reuse that water bottle everyday or use energy efficient appliances, small efforts contribute to greater results – and are better than no effort at all. If we can leave the earth a better place than we found it, what better legacy could we give to our children than a healthy planet?