May/June 2019 Programs, Tours and Events at Rookery Bay Reserve

ONGOING

Science Saturdays at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Every Saturday • $5 Admission for adults, $3 kids 6-12, Free under 6 Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center welcomes the entire family on Science Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm. Kids and grown-ups alike can explore and discover the plants, fish and wildlife that call Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s 110,000 acres home. Science Saturdays is a fun way to learn about environmental science and the natural world

MAY EVENTS

Student Volunteer Orientation – You CAN Make a Difference in Your World Today!

May 4 • 10 – 11 am

Rookery Bay Research Reserve is hosting a special Saturday volunteer orientation to encourage high school and college students to come out and learn about the reserve and the many ways they can volunteer to make a difference in their coastal environment.

There are wide variety of opportunities including assisting visitors in the Environmental Learning Center, working with children in the education department, participating in field work in the research division (turtle nesting, avian, water, etc.) as well as serving as nature trail guides or helping with administrative work.

Volunteer Orientation

May 7 • 10 – 11 am

Learn about Rookery BayResearch Reserve and the many volunteer opportunities available. Volunteers play a vital role in the preservation, restoration and engagement at the reserve. There are wide variety of opportunities including assisting visitors in the Environmental Learning Center, working with children in the education department, participating in field work in the research division (turtle nesting, avian, water, etc.) as well as serving as nature trail guides or helping with administrative work.

In the Gallery – Seacrest Country Day SchoolStudent Art Exhibit

May 6 – August 8 • Free with admission to Environmental Learning Center No registration necessary

Rookery Bay Research Reserve partner Seacrest Country Day School will display student art featuring the theme “Water” in the Environmental Learning Center Gallery. Please visit and support these talented local students.

World Migratory Bird Day

May 10 • BOGO Admission No registration necessary

Visitors to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Centercan support the effort to protect birds as well as reduce plastic pollution with buy one get one free entrance on May 10, 2019 in honor of World Migratory Bird Day.

Essentials of Digital Photography

May 13 • 9:30 am – 12:30 pm • $55 Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understand your camera’s features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students.

Breakfast with the Birds: A Day in the Life of a Seabird Biologist

May 23 • 9:30 – 10:30 am • $15, includes breakfast(pastries, coffee and juice)Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

Learn about the day-to-daywork of a seabird biologist at the first lecture in this summer’s Breakfast with the Birds’ series! Adam DiNuovo, the Shorebird Stewardship Program Manager for Audubon Florida, will present. Adam has been working with shorebirds and seabirds across the United States and beyond for more than 15 years. Doors open at 9:00 am, lecture begins at 9:30 am.

JUNE EVENTS

Essentials of Digital Photography

June 3 • 9:30 am – 12:30 pm • $55 Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understand your camera’s features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students.

Volunteer Orientation

June 4 • 10 – 11 am

Learn about Rookery Bay Research Reserve and the many volunteer opportunities available. Volunteers play a vital role in the preservation, restoration and engagement at the reserve. There are wide variety of opportunities including assisting visitors in the Environmental Learning Center, working with children in the education department, participating in field work in research division (turtle nesting, avian, water, etc.) as well as serving as nature trail guides or helping with administrative work.

Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) Workshop

June 4 • 8:00 am – 4:00 pm • $25 Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

The TOTE Workshop will focus on Rookery Bay ResearchReserve, specifically estuarine research, stewardship, and education. It is open to all teachers. The workshop is based on the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Estuaries 101 Middle School curriculum and focuses on topics such as: sharks, birds, plankton, invasive species and water quality. Mornings are spent in the field exploring the reserve. Afternoons are inside, meeting staff and learning about activities to adapt to classrooms.

Estimating Your Local Marine Economy: “Telling Your Story” Workshop

June 4 • 9:00 am – 4:30 pm • $40 Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

This workshop provides step-by-step guidance for identifying and accessing local sources of economic data and telling your local economic story. Working waterfronts represent a valuable economic engine for coastal communities, but quantification is often challenging. This course will help participants get comfortable with economic terms, identify local sources of data and interpret that data to tell a compelling story of their local marine economy.

World Oceans Day

June 7, 2019 • BOGO Admission No registration necessary.

In celebration of World Oceans Day, the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center offers “buy one, get one free admission.” Higher price prevails, cannot be combined with other offers.

Kids FREE Friday! Summer of Science: Invertebrates

June 14 • 9 am – 1 pm • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary.

This popular summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Programming and activities on Kids Free Fridays are geared towards children who are accompanied by an adult. We recommend a ratio of no more than 3 kids per adult to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This week’s theme is Invertebrates: Plankton!

Kids FREE Friday! Summer of Science: Reptiles

June 21 • 9 am – 1 pm • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary.

This popular summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Programming and activities on Kids Free Fridays are geared towards children who are accompanied by an adult. We recommend a ratio of no more than 3 kids per adult to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This week’s theme is Reptiles: Sea Turtles!

Breakfast with the Birds – Seabirds and Plastic: A Deadly Combination

June 27 • 9:30 – 10:30 am • $15, includes breakfast (pastries, coffee and juice) Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

Learn about the impact plasticware can have on seabirds in Southwest Florida as well as the way small changes in plastic use can make a big difference. Adam DiNuovo, the Shorebird Stewardship Program Manager for Audubon Florida, will present. Adam has been working with shorebirds and seabirds across the United States and beyond for more than 15 years. Doors open at 9:00 am, lecture begins at 9:30 am

Kids FREE Friday! Summer of Science: Fish

June 28 • 9 am – 1 pm • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary.

This popular summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Programming and activities on Kids Free Fridays are geared towards children who are accompanied by an adult. We recommend a ratio of no more than 3 kids per adult to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This week’s theme is Fish: Lionfish!

JULY EVENTS

Clean Beaches Week

July 2 • BOGO Admission No registration necessary.

Visitors to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center can celebrate Clean Beaches Week on Tuesday, July 2 with buy one get one free entrance. During Clean Beaches Week people are encouraged to go to the beach, making sure to “leave no trace” of their visit, and also to spend some time cleaning up or collecting trash that others may have left behind.

Kids FREE Friday! Summer of Science: Birds

July 5 • 9 am – 1 pm • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary.

This popular summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Programming and activities on Kids Free Fridays are geared towards children who are accompanied by an adult. Were recommend a ratio of no more than 3 kids per adult to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This week’s theme is Birds: Burrowing Owls!

Essentials of Digital Photography

July 8 • 9:30 am – 12:30 pm • $55 Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understand your camera’s features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students.

Kids FREE Friday! Summerof Science: Invertebrates

July 12 • 9 am –1 pm • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary.

This popular summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Programming and activities on Kids Free Fridays are geared towards children who are accompanied by an adult. We recommend a ratio of no more than 3 kids per adult to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This week’s theme is Invertebrates: Horseshoe Crabs!

Kids FREE Friday! Summer of Science: Reptiles

July 19 • 9 am – 1 pm • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary.

This popular summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Programming and activities on Kids Free Fridays are geared towards children who are accompanied by an adult. We recommend a ratio of no more than 3 kids per adult to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This week’s theme is Reptiles: Pythons!

Breakfast with the Birds – Stewardship and Citizen Science: Success Stories and How You Can Make a Difference

July 23 • 9:30 – 10:30 am • $15, includes breakfast(pastries, coffee and juice)Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

Learn about how average people around Southwest Florida are working together to protect local bird populations. Adam DiNuovo, the Shorebird Stewardship Program Manager for Audubon Florida, will present. Adam has been working with shorebirds and seabirds across the US and beyond for more than 15 years. Doors open at 9:00 am, lecture begins at 9:30 am

Kids FREE Friday! Summer of Science: Fish

July 26 • 9 am – 1 pm • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary.

This popular summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Programming and activities on Kids Free Fridays are geared towards children who are accompanied by an adult. We recommend a ratio of no more than 3 kids per adult to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. This week’s theme is Fish: Sharks!