Do you feel that you are a part of the waterfront redevelopment? If you are among the small group of folks who have gone to Port presentations and public hearings, you might feel that you are. I'd wager an oyster or two that most of our citizenry don't feel that way. When I think about our children and youth and their involvement, or lack thereof, I'm concerned. After all, aren't they the ones who will live with our choices? Will they understand what we have done? Will they be inspired by the outcome?

The styrofoam mockups and drawings put on display are helpful in seeing the possible future, but do they really have the vitality to teach us what is needed. We are involved in one huge environmental science project. What a great place to be if you are a kid learning how to be a steward of our planet. NSEA, as an example, provides field classes about salmon habitat for school children in the county. Wouldn't it be great if our schools developed an environmental science curriculum about the restoration of our near shore and estuarine environment? Wouldn't that help inspire our kids....and us?