 TEEN RELISHES VOLUNTEER WORK WITH MARINE LIFE Palm Beach Post -- Thursday, September 6, 2001 With her dream to be a marine mammalogist, teenager Ashley Wood is exactly where she wants to be as a youth volunteer for the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island. Since December, 1999, she has volunteered year-round at this non-profit marine and nature facility. At last count, Wood had served 225 hours. Known for her versatility, Wood goes wherever she's needed. Some days, she greets visitors at the aquariums, touch tanks and interactive exhibits. When it's feeding time, Wood tosses shrimp and small fish to a tank of hungry stingrays and skates. Along with clerical tasks, errands and housekeeping, she also assists on the guided nature walks. And no one has to ask her twice to accompany the center's snorkeling trips at Bathtub Reef Beach; and the seining and eco-boat tours in the Indian River Lagoon. "On one of the boat tours, we saw dolphin about 5 feet from the boat," smiles the daughter of Nick and Lori Wood of Port St. Lucie. But perhaps nothing is more memorable than her relationship with Titus the nurse shark. For months, she helped feed and care for this female that was caught by a young boy on New Year's Day in 1997. For 3 1/2 years, the shark was a popular exhibit until she literally outgrew her tank. When she reached a span of 3-feet and 13 pounds, staffers in August, 2000, decided it was time to release her in the wild. For this bittersweet occasion, Wood brought her whole family. "I think I felt like a parent must feel when their child leaves home," says Wood. "Reluctant and a little bit sad to see the end of that era; and happy for what the future holds for them." Wood is one of the 80 youth volunteers that Kelly Patton wishes she could clone. Youngsters and adults are always in demand. Volunteers must be at least 13. "Ashley is a hard worker, a self-starter, responsible and very dependable," says Patton, program and volunteer coordinator. "She takes pride in everything she does." Along with snorkeling and seining, Wood is an avid softball player and a karate student. Her volunteerism with marine life, however, is what she relishes most of all. "I look forward to coming here," says Wood. "It's a fun and friendly place where you can come in and get your hands wet." The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, 890 N.E. Ocean Blvd., is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 4 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $6, adults; $3, children, ages 3 to 12. For information, call 225-0505 or visit www.fosusa.org. Copyright (c) 2001, The Palm Beach Post |