This Coastal Connection is sponsored by Baths by Spicer Bros.
MILLSBORO, Del. - One Sussex County author says she's looking to inspire children through interactive books to fight and care for wetlands every where.
Sussex County author Mary Barneby read her new children's book called Exploring Wetlands while standing in the inspiration for her book.
Mary Barneby with her book Exploring Wetlands while standing in a wetland.
Barneby says after she retired, she had time to pursue her childhood dream of being an author.
"Now's my chance. Now I can actually write about things I'm passionate about," Barneby shared.
Barneby says the first step of protecting wetlands is examining future growth.
"Development has to be very carefully controlled, done with a lot of understanding of nature and the environment and what the unintended consequences will be of that development in years to come," Barneby explained.
Step two is acknowledging how we benefit from the wetlands.
"I think that the the value of these wetlands, though, sometimes is just underrated. First of all, they protect they protect us against flooding," said Barneby.
Step three is involving young minds.
"I wanted to write this book so I could educate and create champions among young children for protecting our wetlands," shared Barneby.
The book includes pictures and a journal at the end of every chapter for kids to reflect on what they've learned.
Experiencing wetlands journal page in Mary Barneby's book.
Barneby encourages people to visit their local bookstore to take a look at her book. However, Barneby says her sales aren't the most important part of the story, awareness is.
"You can bring back a wetland, but why lose it in the first place? Why let it go?" Barneby questioned.
"So I think that I just want people to, as they drive by wetlands, to appreciate them for what they're doing for all of us" Barneby explained.
Barneby hopes that children and even adults will turn the pages of her books, Exploring Wetlands and My Blue Heron, and turn to new ideas on how to better protect our environment that we share.