Page 72 - August 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

CELEBRATE YOUR ESTUARY
ON NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY
AND EVERY DAY

by Brigid O’Malley

E stuary: (n) est-CHEW’-airy, a partly-enclosed body of water, in
the form of a bay, lagoon or slough, which is fed by a freshwater
source.
Estuaries are special places where rivers meet the sea, where fresh water
from land meets and mixes with salt water from the sea. Estuaries can
take the shape of a bay, slough, lagoon, or river delta, and are found all
along our coast.

Many species of marine life use estuaries as breeding grounds, which is
why estuaries are also known as the cradle of the ocean, or nursery of the
sea. Roughly 80 percent of commercially- and recreationally-important
fish and shellfish species rely on an estuary during early life stages, and
this natural factory is as productive as a rain forest.

Estuaries are also important because they buffer the mainland from
storm events, protect water quality by filtering runoff, and provide
recreational opportunities for people. An entire network of protected
areas called National Estuarine Research Reserves was established by the
federal government to protect estuaries because they are so important.

In southwest Florida, the Rookery Bay estuary was recognized as a
special place by local residents, many of whom were descendants of post-
Civil War pioneers who settled in the Little Marco Settlement around
the turn of the century. A grassroots movement to protect Rookery Bay
from development resulted in its designation as a National Estuarine
Research Reserve in 1978. It has grown over the years to 110,000 acres of
nearly pristine lands and waters along the Gulf of Mexico known as the
western Everglades.

Every year, National Estuaries Day celebrations nationwide extend
a variety of opportunities for residents and visitors to experience these
special places where rivers meet the sea. Typically held on the last
Saturday in September, these events usually include activities ranging
from guided tours and mudflat walks to cast netting demonstrations,
nature films, tactile experiences with many forms of marine life and more.

Rookery Bay’s National Estuaries Day celebration takes place at
the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center on Sat., Sept. 26.
Join us for our FREE annual celebration of the 28 national estuarine
research reserves. Enjoy staff-narrated boat tours, introductory
30-minute kayaking trips, paddleboarding on Henderson Creek, a
marine critter touch tank, live animal presentations and educational
booths. Additionally, there will be crafts and activities for children,
behind-the-scenes tours of the science labs, films, food, a special art
exhibition, and more.

Learn more at www.rookerybay.org.

TOP: NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY PROVIDES MANY OPPORTUNITIES
FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO EXPLORE COASTAL AREAS.

MIDDLE: KIDS OF ALL AGES CAN GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH MARINE LIFE.
BOTTOM: COMMUNITY PARTNERS ENGAGE WITH EVENT PARTICIPANTS ON MANY LEVELS.