Jim Ellis
Published: August 23 2004
Students who have a love for nature and conservation are finding other students who share their passion in the Outdoor Club on the Milton campus. ÿ
The Outdoor Club is not just for those students with a strong science background. Club president Joe Elder, an English major, decided to get involved after having adviser and science professor Logan Fink as a teacher.
“I am also the president of the Milton Student Government Association, and we were looking for some community service projects,” said Elder. “The Outdoor Club conducts beach cleanups at area beaches, and it seemed like a perfect marriage.”
Elizabeth Reed, sophomore and Outdoor Club member, says that there is more to the club then just cleaning up beaches.
“We went on a camping trip over the summer to Standing Indian campground in North Carolina that included hiking and white water rafting,” Reed said. “It was a lot of fun and I got to meet a lot of people.”
Reed admits to breaking down stereotypes and says that in the Outdoor Club the female students outnumber the males. The last camping trip had six females and only two males.
Jason Doty, PJC graduate, joined the club last year and encourages everyone to get involved. ÿHe served as interim vice president and hopes to find a similar club at the University of West Florida.
Doty, a history major, said the club has taught him conservation, and he “has learned new things about plants and animals.” Doty says that the camping trips teach teamwork because everyone has to work together to get the campsite set up.
“I have an appreciation for the outdoors I didn’t have prior to joining the club,” said Doty.
Elder says the biggest problem facing Pensacola beaches is that “beach goers don’t take pride in the area like they use to.” He has had to pick up everything from picnic litter to used condoms.
“Tourists visit the Pensacola area for our beautiful beaches, but if beach litter continues to increase, then we may see a decline in tourism,” said Elder.
Elder intends on serving the club in any capacity he can this semester and hopes that other students will want to get involved. ÿStudents from other campuses are encouraged to join, Elder said.
For more information, contact adviser Logan Fink via e-mail, lfink@pjc.edu.