Page 79 - LIN_April_2024_web_file

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center

FREE Admission. RookeryBay.org/calendar
Rookery Bay Environmental National Estuaries Day | Saturday, May 4, 2024 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Learning Center (Just 15 minutes
from downtown Naples 5 Avenue area) • Kayak Demos on the Water
th
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL • Kids Crafts & Activities
RookeryBay.org
239-530-5972 • Boat Tours
Open • Indoor & Outdoor Activities
Tuesday - Saturday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Food Trucks
Tickets • Nature, Wildlife and Art Exhibits
$10 for adults
$5 for children ages 3-12

Rookery Bay Celebrates the Coastal Environment
at 2024 National Estuaries Day

ookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve invites Although the Center is now 20 years old, Rookery Bay
everyone in the community and visiting to come out to National Estuarine Research Reserve has been in existence since
R the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center for a 1978. At the time, the Reserve consisted of just 3,500 acres
free day of fun – National Estuaries Day on Saturday, May 4, surrounding the actual Rookery Bay. Over the years, the Reserve
2024. There will be something for everyone in the family - kayak has grown to encompass 110,000 acres of land and water. It now
demos, art, children’s activities, food, nature and wildlife exhibits, stretches from Gordon Pass in the Port Royal section of Naples
boat tours and FREE admission all day to the Rookery Bay and includes Keewaydin Island, the Ten Thousand Islands and
Environmental Learning Center. reaches the western edge of Everglades National Park.
It’s also an opportunity to learn about the research and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is
preservation efforts taking place at the Reserve including sea considered one of the largest, unspoiled mangrove-lined estuaries
turtle nesting, juvenile shark research, shorebird and seabird in North America. An estuary is a place where freshwater meets
monitoring, water quality, as well as natural history, native saltwater creating a super-productive habitat for wildlife and
peoples and pioneers. This year’s event is made extra special a prime nursery for fish, birds and all kinds of marine animals.
because the Environmental Learning Center reached its 20 year There are 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) in
milestone in 2024. That’s two decades of dedication to educating North America along the East Coast, West Coast, Great Lakes,
the public about the coastal environment and wildlife in the Puerto Rico and Alaska; protecting more than 1.2 million acres.
16,500 sq. ft. two story facility which includes a nature center, These natural places are managed through partnerships with the
four research laboratories, classrooms, an art gallery and a 140 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and
seat auditorium. individual states.
At the Environmental Learning Center, guests can discover The reserves all share the same mission of long-term
the waters, birds and animals of the Reserve through interactive protection and preservation of these
exhibits as well as experience marine life hands-on at the Estuary coastal treasures through scientific Visit RookeryBay.org
to learn more about upcoming
Encounter Touch Tank. All ages are encouraged to look, touch research, monitoring, education and events and programs at the
or hold a sea star, sea urchin, giant conch snail or pistol shrimp. training. Rookery Bay Environmental
Behind the Center, a tranquil butterfly garden and picnic patio Learning Center. Also,
offers a respite from busy Naples. Also, there’s beautiful water Naturalist-led boat and
views to enjoy on the scenic overlook bridge leading to three kayak eco-tours are available
loops of nature trails. all summer long!

Life in Naples | April 2024 79