PROGRAMS: FEBRUARY-MAY 2010
Location: 1690 Tamiami Trail North (US 41 at Fleischmann Blvd.)
For information call: (239) 261-4290 (Preserve) or (239) 213-3020 (Fleischmann Park) or visit us online at cs.naplesgov.com
Programs include:
I. Nature Talks at the Naples Preserve
II. Pier Talks at the Naples Pier
III. Workshops
IV. Eco-Tours
V, Discovery Club
VI. Tai Chi and Yoga
I. NATURE TALKS AT THE NAPLES PRESERVE: Tuesdays – 11:00 PM
A variety of speakers will offer informative and educational talks on topics of special interest to SW Florida. Programs are free.
Enjoy a light lunch with discussion following the presentation. A donation is appreciated.
* Eco-Tour scheduled to coordinate with Nature Talk. Refer to schedule of Eco-Tours for details.
FEBRUARY
16 *Staff, Big Cypress Nat'l Preserve: FIRE!
23 TBA (Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Festival in Everglades City)
MARCH
2 Gary Pettit: Animal Associations with Red Mangroves
3 Gary W. Schmelz, Ph.D. and Glen Stacell, M.S.: Native Wildflowers
9 Jose Leal, Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum: SW Fl Shells & their Environment.
16 *Staff, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge: Status of the Florida Panther
23 Monique Krist, City of Naples Natural Resources, Sea Turtles and Naples Beaches.
30 *Sally Stein, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: Corkscrew & the Essential Watershed.
APRIL
6 John Beriault: Using Plants to locate Archaeological Sites.
13 Gopher Tortoise 2nd Anniversary Special Presentation
20 *Lee Mitchell, Collier Co. Museums: Pioneer Life at Robert's Ranch, Immokalee.
27 Barb Uible, The Conservancy of SW Florida: The Story of the Conservancy
MAY
4 Gary Pettit: The Bottlenose Dolphin
II. PIER TALKS: Thursdays – 1:00 PM at the Naples Pier – Free
By Gary Pettit, Ph.D., Marine Biologist
JANUARY
7 Green Anole
14 Alligator Gar
21 Giant Water Bug
28 Pen Shells
FEBRUARY
4 Nine-banded Armadillo
11 Chitons
18 Shellfish
25 Portuguese Man-of-War
MARCH
4 Rosary Pea
11 Red-bellied Slider
18 Love Bugs
III. WORKSHOPS – Saturday at the Naples Preserve - Free
JANUARY 9 from 10 AM until NOON – Solar Ponds & Rain Barrels - Go Green with Jeff Trager, Ph.D. – Learn how to build and install your own solar-powered water features and rain barrels with solar powered aerators.
FEBRUARY 6 from 9:00 AM until NOON - How to Clean and Display Marine Shells and Other Specimens – by Gary Pettit, Ph.D. If you have shells or other specimens you would like to clean, stinky or not, bring them to this workshop.
IV. ECO-TOURS
Join us for exciting and informative Eco-Tours to fabulous Southwest Florida nature preserves. Each tour will be led by a ranger or qualified naturalist as we learn about the ecosystems that make Southwest Florida such a unique environment.
All tours leave from the Naples Preserve, 1690 Tamiami Trail North.
You must pre-register for each tour and pay any cost at Fleischmann Park.
Friday January 8 8:30-11:30 AM $7.00/Person
Shy Wolf Sanctuary
- Director Nancy Smith will lead the tour up close and personal with wolves, coyotes, small mammals, and big cats: all animals were bred in captivity and later rescued and cared for by Shy Wolf. Wear closed-toed shoes. Limit 20 people. No fee at Shy Wolf, but donations for animal care are gratefully accepted.
Friday January 22 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM $10.00 /Person
Ferns and Birds
– Jack & Elaine Berninger will lead the tour at Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk and Oil Pad Road in the Ten Thousand Islands. The many varieties of ferns, bromeliads, and birds will be identified. Bring your own lunch. Easy-walk. Porta-lets are at the Boardwalk. Wear hat, sunscreen, walking shoes, bring water & high expectations.
Friday February 19 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM $15.00/Person
Fire in the Prairie Eco-System
- Lisa Andrews will guide the tour of a fire-managed eco-system at Fire Prairie Trail in Big Cypress National Preserve. Wear study shoes for moderate hiking, hat, sunscreen, bring water. Look for birds, gators and other wild-life along the Turner River canal. Box lunch included in the price.
Monday March 1 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM $10.00
Lagoon Eco-System
- Tour of the lagoon at Tiger Tail Beach on Marco Island will be lead by Marge Tunnell and Paulette Carabelli. Look for shells on the Gulf side. Enjoy snacks on your on at the beach concession. Wear water shoes, hat, sunscreen, bring water. Don’t forget to bring a bag for treasures from the sea.
Saturday March 20 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM $7.00/Person includes snacks
Panther Refuge Open House
- This is the Annual Panther Awareness Event to help the endangered Florida Panther. There will be guided trail walks, swamp buggy rides, presentations and activities. Wear hat, sunscreen, walking shoes, bring water.
Thursday April 1 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM $30
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
- Back country by Swamp Buggy: 1 & ½ hour swamp buggy tour of the Corkscrew watershed led by Sally Stein followed by the 2 hour short-loop tour of the boardwalk observing the ancient cypress eco-system, lettuce lakes, wading birds and wildlife. Bring your own lunch or purchase snacks at their concession.
Thursday April 22 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM $15/Person includes box lunch.
Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch in Immokalee
- Lee Mitchell, Manager, will give a tour and historical account of life in pioneer Collier County on an early cattle ranch followed by a tour of Pepper Ranch, Conserv. Collier.
V. THE DISCOVERY CLUB
For Children 8-12 years old. Join staff and the Preserve Ambassadors for a new class introducing a variety of plant, birds, rocks, insects, and animals. Use microscopes, magnifying glasses, digital cameras and more.
Two Sessions meeting weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Session 1: January 13 – February 27
Session 2: March 3 – April 14
Cost $60/Session. Register at Fleischmann Park
VI. TAI CHI AND YOGA – Good for the Body, Good for the Soul
Mondays 9:30 – 10:30, Karin Atkin, Instructor
Beginner or any level of experience welcome
Tai Chi: Jan 11-Feb 22; Yoga: Mar 8-Apr 12
$60 for each course; Register at Fleischmann Park 239-213-3020