Going Green Has Never Been Easier!
Oct 22, 2009 8:01 pm US/Eastern
CBS4 Brings The Beautiful Galapagos Islands To You
You Can Watch The Entire "Dreams Of The Galapagos" Special On The Video Player On The Right Side Of This Page
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
They take your breath away. No wonder the Galapagos Islands are also known as the "Enchanted Islands."
The
slideshow of pictures that accompany this article were taken by Miami Metrozoo's Ron Magill. Many know him as one of the world's great wildlife ambassadors. He also happens to be a topflight professional still photographer and his vision helped propel
CBS4 News to the islands for the special report,
"Dreams of the Galapagos" which aired on CBS4 and which can be seen on the video player on the right side of this page.
Best of all, these stunning still photographs come to life during the special report, thanks to the work of
CBS4's Emmy-award winning videographer, Rafael Murciano.
Magill, Murciano and reporter Michael Williams chronicle the adventures of 14-year-old Cecilia Plaza from Herbert Ammons Middle School in South Miami-Dade. She won a CBS4/Metrozoo sponsored public middle school essay contest last spring and earned the world class trip. Her dad tagged along too for the awe inspiring journey.
Magill first came to Michael Williams with this program concept ten years ago. He wanted to pick one of the environmental treasures on our planet and encourage youngsters to learn and write about that place. Public middle school students across South Florida have enthusiastically responded over the years. Their essay entries were whittled to a group of finalists until a winner is finally chosen.
Adventures have taken teenagers to South Africa, Panama, Alaska and, now, the Galapagos. The trips are funded by a bequest to Metrozoo from an elderly philanthropist who embraced Magill's vision. His express requirement was that Magill use that bequest to advance environmental education and awareness for young people.
Cecilia Plaza was a great ambassador for the Galapagos. Alongside Magill, who has a boundless love for the wildlife of our planet, she marveled at the rich diversity of the islands. You will too! Plaza also vowed to teach her peers about the threats to the Galapagos—from pollution to invasive species—in the hopes that all of us will have renewed appreciation for the place we call home.
A personal note from Michael Williams:
"I have been honored to work on many projects in my 29 year broadcasting career. None make me prouder than these special reports."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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