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The presence of
sea otters indicates a balanced ecosystem
as
evidenced by a healthy kelp forest. |
My wife and I watched a program last night about sea otters. Along the coast of California, the sea otters have made a comeback after being hunted to near extinction. The absence of a creature that only grows to about six feet or less can change the balance of an entire ecosystem. Small things make a big difference.
Sea otters need to consume mass quantities of food in order to survive. They live in waters ranging from 35* to 60* F and are sometimes referred to as a "swimming furnace." Their high metabolisms that help to keep them warm are fueled by the consumption of up to 30% of their body weight. Otters are carnivorous and eat sea urchins among other creatures in the deep green sea. By eating sea urchins, the sea otter is contributing to the over all health of the ecosystem. All creatures play a valuable part on planet earth.
Kelp and algae are the main foods consumed by the sea urchin. Without the predatorial influence of the sea otter who eats the sea urchin, the kelp and algae that are needed by an abundance of marine life will be depleted by the urchins appetite. Kelp does not have any roots and is secured to the sea floor by a "holdfast" which is a root-like mass that secures the plant to the sea floor. They aren't true roots because they don't carry nutrition to the plant. Healthy marine life depends on balance and the sea otter keeps the population of sea urchins in check thereby ensuring an adequate kelp canopy as habitat for other species of fish. Even though the holdfast does not carry nutrition, it provides a foundation for the kelp and shelter for for an innumerable amount of creatures. Young people need a root system that gives them a foundation from which to be fed sustenance that will balance their mental, physical, emotional and social growth.
A growing child needs a healthy balance of emotional and social nutrition. If the child's ecosystem or family structure breaks down, a child can be influenced by the lack of emotional support. Many children are starved for attention and acknowledgement. A mentor/teacher who knows how to build relationships with children can help them build their self confidence.
Children grow as high energy sponges - soaking in their surroundings. Their decision making ability does not reach full maturity until they are in their early twenties. By giving young people the understanding of how to balance their social and emotional ecosystems, a mentor/teacher helps to create and protect the "Adolescent Ecosystem."
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A mentor teaches
children how to respect the forest ecosystem
through "No-Trace Trekking" in the
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Thanks for your time.
Go do something nice for somebody.
Go do something nice for somebody.
Bob Kuebler
Founder / Mentor
Mentor Force is an organization of initiators.
We help young people who are at risk of leading impoverished and violent lives.
We teach teachers, mentors, coaches, parents and youth leaders how to build healthy relationships that make young people feel valued. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the benefit of being guided by aMentor
Mentor Force is an organization of initiators.
We help young people who are at risk of leading impoverished and violent lives.
We teach teachers, mentors, coaches, parents and youth leaders how to build healthy relationships that make young people feel valued. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the benefit of being guided by a
716-830-8240
mentorforcebuffalo@gmail.com.
We are available for school
assemblies and educator conferences.
