AWARD WINNING!
AUDUBON’S “CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR”
Kurt Zuelsdorf grew up as a nature tour guide for over 20 years at Horicon Marsh Boat Tours in Wisconsin. After living for 18 years in Gulfport, he dreamed of running a business that would provide kayak rentals and tours in the area. His daughter led him to the perfect spot; Clam Bayou Nature Park, in his own back yard in Gulfport.
After visiting the Bayou, he realized it had a big problem – it was choked with years upon years of trash and debris. But behind the trash, Kurt saw something that most people didn’t; a vision of a pristine ecosystem filled with birds and wildlife.
How could one person transform a trash dump? By inspiring others to share his vision.
In 2006 Kurt decided to offer a free Kayak rental to anyone who brought back a bag filled with trash from the Bayou. Calling his program “Bring Back the Bayou”, his creative plan created an ecosystem of its own – a “Green Machine” composed of thousands of moving parts, each part removing its bag of trash. Like a steady swarm of ants, his machine has removed over 100,000 pounds of human detritus from Clam Bayou, including shopping carts, lawn furniture, tires, bicycles, golf balls, and even motorcycles and sofas. One of the hardest things to remove was a 500-gallon automatic Dumpster.
And the Bayou is indeed coming back. After years of preparation and delay, in 2010 SWFWMD will install a stormwater treatment system which should dramatically reduce the flow of trash into the Bayou, while offering land-based visitors improved wildlife viewing opportunities. But the Machine still has work to do. “The volunteer effort is an important part of the overall strategy and management of Clam Bayou,” said Brandt Henningsen, SWFWMD’s chief environmental scientist. “Once the stormwater and restoration project is finished, maintenance will still be an important part of the overall plan because some new trash will still make it into the bayou.”
“That’s what’s going to keep the awareness up – the ability for people to see it. The more people that DO see it, the cleaner it can be” said Kurt.
Last year, Kurt was able to inspire 700 kids by either bringing them out to the Bayou or going to visit them. He’s constantly trying to encourage recycling including the use of reusable shopping bags.
His inspiration for the program is the birds that live and nest in the mangroves. “It’s all for the birds,” he said.
“After a major cleanup, I stood back and watched,” Kurt says. “The herons, the cranes, and the ibises were sitting up in the treetops waiting for us to leave. The pelicans were diving. The fish were jumping. It’s nothing short of a miracle to watch that happen.”
“What he’s done in Clam Bayou is exceptional. He’s brought a focus to that area, and he’s done it by bringing people together,” said Gulfport City Commissioner Michelle King.
Kurt’s mission is to “promote green living while educating people on the importance of preserving Earth’s resources”.
Kurt has already won several awards for his (and his volunteer’s) work, including:
· 2007 Field and Stream “Hero of Conservation” award.
· 2008 Tourism Award from Coastal Living Magazine.
· 2008 Creative Loafing’s “Best Environmental Outing” award.
In 2009, for his Perseverance, Creativity and the huge improvement he’s made to both Clam Bayou and the lives of people who might otherwise never experience it, we name him St. Petersburg Audubon’s Conservationist of the Year.
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December 9th, 2009 at 10:38 am
OMG, can one still talk to you without an appointment or a request to your social secretary? Will I need SS clearance or anything?
But seriously folks, EXCELLENT JOB!!
December 9th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Kurt, you are an inspiration to us all. It is an honor to know you and played with you during your journey.
Gary
December 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Yea! Kurt you are the best, and truly do inspire all of us to take notice. It all begins with one person who has a vision.
December 9th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Kurt: A wonderful honor award to a wonderful person who really cares enought to get the job done…. Bully for you! Also, many thanks for your help and encouragement with the Elnor Island restoration at John’s Pass, Treasure Island, it is working! Best Regards, Bob Dowling
December 9th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Kurt, CONGRATULATIONS!! Awesome!
December 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am
CONGRATULATIONS! Awesome! You deserve it hands down. (Or is it paddles down?)
We who know you are proud of you!! We also sincerely appreciate all that you do!
Rob
December 26th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I KNOW THAT GUY!!! HAHAHA…
Dude, Kurt, way to go FOR REAL!!
kayaking through the mangroves was and will always be a top 10 experience of my life.
KEEP ON KEEPIN ON BIG GUY!
Grant