When VBCPS received an SOS requesting volunteer assistance from a national leader of the Muskwa Club, our students once again stepped up to the plate.
During one of the busiest holiday weekends in our nation, Landstown High School students Jada Jones and Tyler King volunteered their services to The Muskwa Club.
The Muskwa Club is a student-run service and activity organization that provides value-added extracurricular activities and service opportunities for members, according to its website. In addition, the club currently works to bring awareness to the plight of the vaquita, which is the world’s smallest endangered marine mammal.
Jones and King received materials for Save the Vaquita Day in the mail and quickly got to work to learn as much as they could about the animal.
“It was upsetting to know that there are less than 200 vaquitas left in the world,” Jones said.
She added that the animals have a low birth rate since they only have one calf every other year, and are at a constant threat of becoming entangled in gill nets and drowning.
In fact, according to Jones, scientists predict extinction for this species by 2017 if a safe net for fin-fish is not completed soon and its use mandated for fishermen.
“I knew that I wanted to do what I could to make people aware of this program,” Jones said.
Jones and King prepared interactive activities and other display items that would be on exhibit at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. In addition, as part of a nationwide event, the duo spent the Saturday of their Fourth of July weekend at the museum, promoting awareness of the vaquita’s battle for existence.
Way to go!
For more information on how the vaquita, visit http://vlogvaquita.com/tag/muskwa-club/