Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Family Camp

is a member of the Ambassadors of the Environment family of programs

A collaboration between

We live on a water planet.

Where there is water there is life.

With total immersion we see how a sustainable community functions in the ocean world.

This forest under the sea runs on renewable solar energy.

Floats lift kelp fronds up to the sun.

The “holdfast” anchors kelp to the bottom and provides a home to thousands of animals

The kelp snail dines on kelp, converting the energy of kelp into the energy of the snail.

The next link in the food chain is the octopus that eats kelp snails.

This kelp bass will eat any octopus it can find.

Sea cucumbers are the waste managers of the kelp forest. Waste and remains of all these animals are digested and recycled by sea cucumbers.

What comes out of a sea cucumber is cleaner than what went in!

Each resident of the kelp bed ecosystem has a job. Collectively this diversity of species and the work they do ensures the community will stay healthy.

Lobsters are scavengers that clean up the bottom, similar to sea cucumbers. Such overlapping function is called ecological redundancy and is security in case one species disappears. Its good to have a spare.

Even species we don’t eat or sell have value. They enrich the oceans, the planet and our lives.

Species benefit from a variety of ecological connections. This orange senorita fish is a cleaner that takes

parasites from the blue blacksmith fish.

The “doctor” keeps its “patients” healthy in a mutualistic relationship where both partners benefit. Here the patients stand on their heads to

let the doctor know they need “medical” attention.

In the kelp bed ecosystem everything is connected.

For us nature is a living laboratory and natural classroom. Immersion is the best way to learn about how the world works.

Here are the principles of ecology that we study.

EVERYTHING IS

CONNECTED!

EVERYTHING RUNS ON ENERGY!

THERE IS NO WASTE

IN NATURE!

BIODIVERSITY IS GOOD!

We discover how these principles apply above water.

The tidepools reveal more mysteries and lessons.

This is our transition from sea to land.

On land we discover how our four principles of ecology apply to terrestrial ecosystems.

We see how renewable solar energy powers land plants and how they create the structure of this ecosystem.

Natural landscapes are covered with solar collectors. We call them plants.

A diversity of plants provides a variety of food and shelter for a variety of animals.

We explore how plants benefit humans with food, building materials and useful chemicals.

Flowers attract pollinators that are essential for plant reproduction.

Fruit attracts animals that will disperse seeds.

Island fox poop is good because it contains seeds and valuable “fertilizer” that will help those seeds grow.

There is no waste in nature!

We apply the principles of ecology and sustainability in our camp. Here we reuse all of our food waste.

Garbage is valuable because of the nutrients it contains.

The compost enriches the soil in our gardens and improves our crops.

As we have seen in nature, the use of renewable solar energy is effective and efficient. Our camp has solar ovens, photovoltaic panels and solar hot water systems.

Historically humans have created ecological imbalances through the introduction of exotic species.

Here we engage in landscape restoration.

Native plant restoration will improve the ecosystem for all species.

Games reinforce our four principles of sustainability.

The web of life game demonstrates how everything is connected and

how we depend on healthy ecosystems.

The wisdom of our ancestors is another important reinforcement in our search for sustainable lifestyles and respect for nature.

Positive and safe risk taking enable participants to overcome fears and discover inner strengths.

Empowered, inspired and motivated, our participants will lead in the search for a sustainable future.

We discuss important issues in our lives back home and learn of positive action taken by other young people from around the world.

We each make a pledge to become an Ambassador of the Environment and do at least one thing to protect the environment and to live a bit

more sustainably when we return home.

AMBASSADORS OF THE ENVIRONMENT CREATING A BETTER FUTURE FOR US ALL