CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Crystal River Primary School has been growing eel-grass in their classrooms since the beginning of the year.
On Friday, fifth graders got to take that eel-grass, which is a type of sea-grass, and plant it as part of the Kings Bay Restoration Project.
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The eel-grass is not only food for manatees and turtles, but it filters the water giving oxygen for the fish and creating healthy water quality.
"As the plants are growing they’re doing science experiments on them. Seeing how tall they're growing and checking the water quality," said Dorothy Pernu, Duke Energy government and community relations manager.
The eel-grass was donated by Duke Energy. They have given the school more than $27,000 in just three years for the education of healthy water systems.
Pernu says giving the kids hands-on experience about the importance of the environment early will hopefully be a lesson they will never forget.
"It’s making a legacy for themselves and their families beyond that," said Pernu.
