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Shopping
The two-story Rookery Bay Environmental
Learning Center along Henderson Creek has
aquariums, a touch tank, exhibits, nature
trails, an art gallery, a butterfly garden,
picnic areas and a nature store.
Parties
Birthday parties for ages 8-12 are available
Rookery Bay Environmental with a theme of Manatees, Dolphins, Birds,
Learning Center Sharks, or Turtles. The 2-hour parties include
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL a private room, touch tank experience, craft

Open Tuesday - Saturday activity, $10
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. nature store Visit RookeryBay.org
gift coupon for to learn more about upcoming
$10 for adults the birthday events and programs at the
$5 for children ages 3-12 child, and time Rookery Bay Environmental
to explore the Learning Center. Also,
rookerybay.org exhibits and Naturalist-led boat and
239-530-5972 kayak eco-tours are available
trails. all summer long!

Wildlife Festivals • Lectures • Eco-Tours and more offered at Rookery Bay

th
egistration begins December 8 for the 20 Annual Forest Bathing
Festival of Birds and Wildlife Conservation Film Rookery Bay offers forest bathing on the first Saturday of
R Festival being held January 12-21 at Rookery Bay the month through April. It is available for private bookings on
Research Reserve. The month also kicks off the popular other days for groups of four or more. Forest bathing is a slow,
Lunch & Learn lecture series that runs through April and guided sensory experience with nature that has proven physical
th
ticket sales begin for the 15 annual Bash for the Bay in March. and mental health benefits such as reducing anxiety and stress
And just in time for holiday gift giving, the nature store and improving immune function and cardiovascular health.
is filled with books, toys, jewelry, sun-protective clothing, A certified forest bathing guide from Go Forest Bathing will
ornaments, hostess gifts and other items for children and adults. guide and help participants use their curiosity and senses to
These are just some of the ways to connect with nature at the connect with nature.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center and throughout Bird Identification Programs
the reserve’s 110,000 acres, which encompass 40 percent of Southwest Florida is a critical stopover site for thousands of
Collier County’s coastline. migrating and wintering shorebirds, and Rookery Bay offers two
Festival of Birds programs to learn about them. Through the Virtual Binoculars
The Festival of Birds offers dozens of field program, guests are part of a 1.5 hour Zoom session to learn ID
trips such as bird watching walks and swamp skills and discuss the amazing journeys of local and migrating
buggy rides in wildlife hotspots around birds. Participants from the Zoom call are invited to an exclusive
Collier and Lee counties. The film festival 1.5 hour field trip at a local birding hotspot to practice bird ID
premieres documentaries made around the skills with expert biologists. During the Birding with Biologists
• Fades acne scars world and offers talks with filmmakers. program, guests join biologists at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes
• Effectively contours, lifts and tightens loose skin Actress and conservationist Holly Marie Community Park to learn how to use birds’ plumage, shape,
• Smooths and improves uneven skin texture Combs will make the keynote address. behavior and habitat to recognize various species.
Kayak and Boat Tours
Lunch & Learn
• Reduces skin irregularities including the appearance of stretch marks Enjoy a hot buffet from Carrabba’s Italian Grill while Biologist tour guides take guests through mangrove tunnels
• Improves hyperpigmentation learning about mangroves, this year’s lecture series theme. and to Keewaydin and other islands as they discuss the animals
• Promotes collagen production in the underlying dermis layers Lecture dates are December 14, January 24, February 14, and plants that call Rookery Bay home. Different eco-tour
March 6 and April 10. At just $20 per session, these lectures
options include barrier island shelling, a short hike to the
sell out, so reservations are highly recommended. top of the region’s highest natural point, and exquisite sunset
Art & Photography Classes experiences watching thousands of birds return to roost on the
Express your love of nature through art. Each month, artist same island. Children are welcome, tandem kayaks are available,
Jan Deswick guides beginner and experienced painters as they an ADA-accessible boat is utilized, private tours can be arranged,
create a watercolor masterpiece. Images change monthly, and all and kayak rentals are available for self-guided tours.
materials are supplied. Bash for the Bay
Shutterbugs find digital photography a “snap” after taking Friends of Rookery Bay presents its 15th annual Bash for the
one of the monthly photography workshops offered by Sonny Bay signature fundraiser on March 14 at The Players Club &
Saunders. Students learn how to use their camera’s shutter, Spa at Lely. The event features cocktails, a plated dinner, silent
aperture, ISO control and drive modes to create images with and live auctions, and dancing to the Hot Topic Band. Proceeds
impact and creativity. benefit the education, research and conservation programs at
Rookery Bay.
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Life in Naples | December 2023 79