Programs, Tours and Events at Rookery Bay Reserve

ONGOING

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

At Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, you can learn about environmental science and the natural world through actual hands-on experiences with marine life touch tanks, exhibits and coastal habitat displays. The two-story modern visitor center is air conditioned and includes an art gallery, naturalist led programs, gift shop, nature viewing platform over the water and more!

Kids and grown-ups alike can explore the center and discover the plants, fish and wildlife that call Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s 110,000 acres home. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6 – 12, and free for kids under 6 and Friends of Rookery Bay members. Located at 300 Tower Road, one mile south of the intersection of US41 and Collier Boulevard. Learn more and register for tours and events at rookerybay.org/calendar. Friends of Rookery Bay member discounts apply to most events.

Year-round Kayak Tours at Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s exclusive ecotour partner, Rising Tide Explorers, for a kayak adventure into the beautiful backwaters of Rookery Bay Reserve! All the guides are active local biologists, certified naturalists and certified kayaking instructors making them the most qualified guides in the region. The whole family can enjoy a memorable and educational adventure into the estuary.

With our kayak tours, guests can paddle through beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphin and manatee!

You can choose between a single or tandem kayak for your journey. Tandem kayaks are great for families with small children. Conditions do vary, but usually consist of calm, waist deep water and sunshine. Sunset tours are also available. These tours are perfect for the first-time paddler or pro. Get out and explore the backwaters Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Visit rookerybay.org to register for tours today.

SUMMER 2019 SPECIALTY SERIES

Kids FREE Fridays are Back – Summer of Science 2019

June 14 -August 2, 2019 • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (educator led programming) • $5 Admission for adults, FREE for kids under 12

This popular education and hands-on program is back for the Summer of Science 2019 at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center!

Beginning Friday, June 14 environmental educators will put the spotlight on a different marine creature with scheduled hands on activities, labs, crafts and games within the cool comfort of the airconditioned, state-of-the-art Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center.

Please visit RookeryBay.org for weekly themes and activities. Open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Summertime Science Saturdays – Discovery Labs for ALL Ages and Free Admission for Kids under 12 Every Saturday, May-August 2019 • $5 Admission for adults, FREE for kids under 12

This summer at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Science Saturdays are FREE for kids under 12 and are sure to unleash the inner scientist or marine biologist in you with hands-on discovery labs for all ages.

Each Saturday, adults and kids alike can discover science with an educator including examining live organisms under microscopes, behind the scenes experiences in our working laboratories, hands-on marine critter connections and more! Please visit Rookery Bay.org for more information. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

AUGUST EVENTS

Kids FREE Friday! Summer of Science: Wading Birds

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • FREE for Children 12 and under No registration necessary

This popular “hands-on” summer education program offers FREE admission for kids under 12. Environmental educators will lead kids in a schedule of activities, crafts and games within the cool comfort of the air conditioned, state-of-the-art Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. 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

Essentials of Digital Photography

August 12 • 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • $55Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understanding 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.

National Honey Bee Day – BOGO

August 16 • BOGO Admission No registration necessary.

Visitors to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center can celebrate honey bees and their contribution to each of our lives through the pollination of 80% of the world’s plants including 90 different food crops.

Enjoy buy one get one free entrance on August 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Breakfast with the Birds: Water Quality

August 20 • 9:30 – 10:30 am • $15 Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

Learn how the quality of water around them effects bird populations at the final 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 a.m. Lecture begins at 9:30a.m. Enjoy pastries, coffee and juice.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

National Wildlife Day

September 4 • BOGO Admission No registration necessary.

Visitors to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center can celebrate National Wildlife Day on Wednesday, September 4 with buy one get one free entrance. On National Wildlife Day, people are encouraged to take the opportunity to learn more about endangered species, preservation and conservation efforts around the world.

Essentials of Digital Photography

September 9 • 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • $55 Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understanding 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

National Estuaries Day

September 28 • 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • FREE Day and FREE Activities! Registration is required www.rookerybay.org/calendar

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is celebrating National Estuaries Day with a free day of fun and activities at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. This FREE event includes entrance to the Environmental Learning Center, staff narrated boat tours (bus transportation provided to the boat 15 minutes away), introductory 30 minute kayaking trips, stand-up paddle boarding demos on Henderson Creek, Estuary Encounter experience with touch tanks, live animal presentations, crafts, Junior Scientist lab activities and more!

Additionally, foods truck will be on-site during lunch hours Activities are available on a first come, first served basis. Signup begins when doors open at 9 a.m. Age restrictions may apply, please see website for more information: www.rookerybay.org/national-estuaries-day.

OCTOBER EVENTS

World Habitat Day

October 7 • BOGO Admission No registration necessary.

World Habitat Day reminds people of the basic need for adequate shelter. In order to build an adequate shelter for ourselves, we must nurture and support a healthy ecosystem or environment. Visit the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center for buy one get one free entrance on October 7 and find out how Rookery Bay Research Reserve helps keep our estuary ecosystem thriving!