Guba
Contributor
What an incredibly bleak and "catch-22" type picture you paint! The conundrum is this...
Aquarena Center is fighting tooth and nail to stay alive fiscally, and the result is an alliance with sport divers. Some of that cooperative effort is extremely good. Take the battle with invasive species, for example. It's highly unlikely that the fight would have been even remotely as successful as it has been without the help of legions of recreational divers who have gone through the science diver program. And make no mistake about it--the dive program is powerful bait to pull in folks who might not otherwise know about the water issues facing Texas. The science diver program is a powerful educational tool that reaches much farther than just the facts concerning the springs. However, the practice of using the facility for dive classes is, understandably, a point that can be called into question. The necessity is still, of course, one that of simple financial survival. Let's face it, without substantially greater support from the university or some agency, it's questionable as to whether the Center can stay open and maintain its staff without participating in certain alliances.
All the dark scenarios you present are facts of life that cannot be avoided even if the center were to stop the classes immediately. Therefore, they are "non-unique arguments"--ones that are part of the life of every eco-science program that exists. The managers of AC are simply doing the best they can to make sure the programs there survive into the future.
Speaking as a professional educator, I can only hope that any investigative review prodecure will include the opportunity for scores of educators such as me to testify about the value of the AC programs. I've used the materials repeatedly in my teaching, and I'm certain there are many more like me. In fact, the center will be hosting workshops next month for the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers, an event that draws about 6000 science educators from all across Texas. That kind of forum for water issues relevant to all of Texas is priceless, and it would be a shame if the program were curtailed.
In fact, it might not be a great idea to broadcast personal knowlege of "infractions" of the program rules on a board with a broad audience. I know, I know...it happens. But the one time I witnessed it happening, the offending divers were promptly withdrawn and a fairly serious verbal lashing took place. I don't believe the divers were allowed back into the water. What I'm saying is this-- of course the rules need to be enforced, but I'm convinced the lake managers are doing exactly that to the best fo their ability. I don't think anyone at the center "turns the other way" to avoid confrontation. When they see the rules being broken, they act. Rangers and wardens in ALL of the environmentally sensitive areas of the U.S. fight the same battle and for the most part do a good job of it. I'm hoping (and I'm a fairly hopeful guy) the "powers that be" recognize this and react accordingly.
Thanks for your input and for putting up with my two cents worth. In the meantime, let's keep on helping AC in any way we can. I sure plan to.
Aquarena Center is fighting tooth and nail to stay alive fiscally, and the result is an alliance with sport divers. Some of that cooperative effort is extremely good. Take the battle with invasive species, for example. It's highly unlikely that the fight would have been even remotely as successful as it has been without the help of legions of recreational divers who have gone through the science diver program. And make no mistake about it--the dive program is powerful bait to pull in folks who might not otherwise know about the water issues facing Texas. The science diver program is a powerful educational tool that reaches much farther than just the facts concerning the springs. However, the practice of using the facility for dive classes is, understandably, a point that can be called into question. The necessity is still, of course, one that of simple financial survival. Let's face it, without substantially greater support from the university or some agency, it's questionable as to whether the Center can stay open and maintain its staff without participating in certain alliances.
All the dark scenarios you present are facts of life that cannot be avoided even if the center were to stop the classes immediately. Therefore, they are "non-unique arguments"--ones that are part of the life of every eco-science program that exists. The managers of AC are simply doing the best they can to make sure the programs there survive into the future.
Speaking as a professional educator, I can only hope that any investigative review prodecure will include the opportunity for scores of educators such as me to testify about the value of the AC programs. I've used the materials repeatedly in my teaching, and I'm certain there are many more like me. In fact, the center will be hosting workshops next month for the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers, an event that draws about 6000 science educators from all across Texas. That kind of forum for water issues relevant to all of Texas is priceless, and it would be a shame if the program were curtailed.
In fact, it might not be a great idea to broadcast personal knowlege of "infractions" of the program rules on a board with a broad audience. I know, I know...it happens. But the one time I witnessed it happening, the offending divers were promptly withdrawn and a fairly serious verbal lashing took place. I don't believe the divers were allowed back into the water. What I'm saying is this-- of course the rules need to be enforced, but I'm convinced the lake managers are doing exactly that to the best fo their ability. I don't think anyone at the center "turns the other way" to avoid confrontation. When they see the rules being broken, they act. Rangers and wardens in ALL of the environmentally sensitive areas of the U.S. fight the same battle and for the most part do a good job of it. I'm hoping (and I'm a fairly hopeful guy) the "powers that be" recognize this and react accordingly.
Thanks for your input and for putting up with my two cents worth. In the meantime, let's keep on helping AC in any way we can. I sure plan to.
