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8-year-old Boy's Science Project Saves Seabrook Pelicans
By Peggy "Domino" Taylor (Published 3/04)
At the February Seabrook City Council meeting one of the speakers made a big impact on Seabrook, but this speaker, small in statue, couldn't even see over the speakers' podium. This little, but loud speaker was 8-year-old Ernesto Chacon, and he was there to save the pelicans.
Ernesto, a first-grader from Bay Elementary, waited patiently with his family for his turn to speak. When time came for his speech, he approached the intimidating podium like a seasoned speaker. He formally addressed the Honorable City Council, Mayor and Seabrook residents. Ernesto had no problem speaking loud and clear with passion about his plight to save the Seabrook pelicans. He told his story and how he got immediate action to save these birds.
It all started with his science project in his first grade class. It was an easy decision for him, picking the theme of this assignment. He loves animals, especially birds, so he chose to do his project on the Birds of the Gulf Coast. What started as a project turned into mankind's ultimate gift, saving unfortunate animals.
On February 1st, Sunday, Ernesto and his father Raul, set out to research his project, bird watching on the shores of Galveston Bay at the fish market area of Seabrook. He was excited at first seeing so many brown pelicans. He approached the tame birds and that is when this happy field trip became sad. Around the dumpster were two dead brown pelicans. There were other pelicans that were sick and needed attention. Ernesto turned to his dad and said he needed to something about this sad situation. His dad took some pictures of the sick and dead birds. The next day, Monday, they went to the same place to see the fowl and there were eight more dead brown pelicans. They photographed them. This science project was taking a wrong turn for this child. He didn't stop there. He told his mom and dad that he needed help because he was going to rescue these Seabrook mascots.
It was time to get the City of Seabrook involved. Letters and e-mails went out that same day with the help of his parents. On Tuesday, Chris Kulhman from the Pelican Path Project contacted his mother, Amparo, for more information on Ernesto's disturbing findings. The very next day Kulhman organized a Pelican Roundup. The roundup, just 48 hours after Ernesto's first dismal discovery, was successful with the help of Sharon Schmalz from the Wildlife and Rehab and Education, Seabrook Animal Control Officer, Daniel Marshall and several volunteers. This group, along with the Chacons, rescued juvenile pelicans and picked up 13 dead brown pelicans.
The dying birds have difficulty finding food in winter. The roundups continued the next day, and a total of 15 brown pelicans were saved that are with Sharon Schmalz in a temporary shelter until they are well and ready to be released. This rescue got the attention of a film crew and made the evening news.
This was the story that the council heard, then this young speaker began to tell how it can be fixed. His science project enlightened him on the birds and their different beaks, and he wanted to continue to see these birds in Seabrook and offered a 4-point plan. What did this first grader wish for?
1. Find out why the birds are not feeding themselves.
2. Close the garbage dumps. (The rotten fish and garbage is not good for them)
3. Clean the area. (There is a lot of waste and old crates that are a danger to the birds)
4. Teach more kids about the birds in Seabrook. (Also why haven't robins been seen this year?)
When Ernesto gave his 4-point plan at the end of his story, he had everyone in council chambers listening. He politely thanked them for letting him talk. He ended by saying, "I may be little, but I can still help on the clean up. I can also keep an eye on the brown pelicans and other birds. I love spending time watching all the birds of this area."
The Eco-Tourism/Sister City Committee has recommended Ernesto for the Eco-Star Award for the 1st Quarter of 2004. The presentation will be made March 2, Tuesday, at the 5:30 council meeting.
This child is a true inspiration of the Bay Area. Ernesto is already a miracle child, because he has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is in a regular classroom and not in special education and is one of the top students in Mrs. Castaneda's class.
Ernesto is the son of Raul and Amparo Chacon of Seabrook. They have lived in Seabrook 11 years and are originally from Mexico, via California attending college. Raul is with IBM Global Services, and Amparo is a stay-at-home mom who is a chemical engineer. Ernesto has two sisters who are excited about their brother's pelican project. Andrea is in kindergarten and Natalia is in 4th grade. All attend Bay Elementary.
This community is proud of Ernesto and his family, and everyone could learn a lesson from him. He even emptied his piggy bank to donate money to feed the pelicans in the refuge. A simple science project got the community involved and a wildlife activist was born.
Everyone was reminded that we all have to care for our fine-feathered friends and was educated on the endangered brown pelicans through the eyes of an 8-year-old child who is full of passion, knowledge and love. The community thanks this brave child and so does the Seabrook pelicans.
For more information on the pelicans or to donate to feed them, call the Wildlife Rehab and Education at (281) 332-8319 or log on to www.wrande.org.
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