As part of the Citrus County Schools curriculum, the Citrus County Marine Science Station allows elementary, middle and high school students to use what they learn in the classroom and transfer it into field-based experience in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Earnie Olsen spearheads the program.

Showing around a bright room filled with water tanks and maps on the wall he explained, “This is set up to showcase the different habitat, ecosystem types we have here in Citrus County along the west side of the county.” 

His passion for Marine Biology started at a young age and now he gets to share that knowledge with his boys and other kids as well.

While showing his oldest a starfish, he explained, “This one has lost an arm, maybe a crab has pinched it, and what do you know about sea stars when they lose an arm?”

Parents are acknowledging and appreciating the hard work — so much so that the department recently received an anonymous $25,000 donation.

He told Spectrum Bay News 9's Katya Guillaume, “With the generous contribution of this particular entity, this donor, they wanted the money to go towards something tangible that can have a long term usage.” 

He explained that the money will go towards the purchase of an outdoor motor.

“We see approximate 2,800 students from Citrus County schools per year, and so this investment into this piece of equipment will allow us to continue doing what we’ve been doing for so long,” he said. 

He shared that he takes students out to the Gulf, discover different sea creatures and learn all about how they benefit us.

“These are important to us because there’s a substance in their blood called LAL and that’s used to test injectable drugs including COVID vaccines,” Olsen said.

Olsen said this is the biggest personal donation the department has received, and any funds left over will purchase additional supplies to ensure each student is fully equipped with anything they might need.