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TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is
encouraging Floridians to celebrate National Estuaries Day on September 29,
2007. Events taking place at Florida’s three National Estuarine Research
Reserves (NERR) will provide education opportunities and activities exploring
estuary habitats and wildlife.
“Estuaries serve as a very important part of our ecosystem by protecting the
mainland from storm events and improving water quality by filtering runoff,”
said Stephanie Bailenson, Director of DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic
Managed Areas. “National Estuaries Day is a great time for Floridians to explore
and learn about these brackish habitats.”
DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas oversees the three National
Estuarine Research Reserves as well as 42 other sites, including aquatic
preserves and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
A partnership between the states and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, The National Estuarine Research Reserve System was established
by the Coastal Zone Management Act to help protect the nation’s coastal
resources. Through integrated research and education, the reserves help
communities develop strategies to deal successfully with coastal resource
issues. Reserves provide adult audiences with training on estuarine issues of
concern in their local communities, offer field classes for K-12 students and
support teachers through professional development programs in marine education.
Reserves also provide long-term water quality monitoring.
National Estuaries Day began in 1988 as part of Coast Weeks to educate the
public on the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them. The annual
event has matured into a national campaign with festivities across the country.
National Estuaries Day is a nationwide event encouraging the protection and
preservation of aquatic environments where freshwater bodies meet marine
waterways.
The following events will take place in Florida:
- Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
Friday, September 28,
2007
2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
261 7th Street
Apalachicola, Florida
(850)
653-8063
The Apalachicola NERR will host free educational activities, including a
beekeeping demonstration, snake program, oyster tonging game, touch tanks,
boat trips and arts and crafts projects. Adults can register to win one of
many door prizes, and a free National Estuaries Day t-shirt will also be
given to the first 400 guests (children & adults). For more information,
please call 850-653-8063.
- Guana Tolomato - Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Saturday,
September 29, 2007
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Environmental Education Center
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
(904) 823-4500
Activities are planned for the entire family to enjoy, including
presentations with live animals, face painting, a touch tank and other
exhibits. National Estuaries Day activities will focus on the importance of
our estuaries and the need to protect them. Admission is $2 for adults, $1
for children age 10 and older and children under age 10 are free. Event
proceeds will be used to support the education, research and stewardship
programs of the Reserve. For a list of events, visit
www.gtmnerr.org.
- Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Saturday, September 29,
2007
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Environmental Learning Center
300 Tower Road
Naples, Florida
239-417-6310 ext. 401
Rookery Bay NERR will host activities for the entire family to enjoy,
including guided walks, kayaking, kids crafts, films, presentations and a
scavenger hunt. Admission to the event is free. For more information, visit
www.rookerybay.org.
For more information on Florida’s National Estuarine Research Reserves, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/nerrs.htm.
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"Estuaries serve as a very important part of our ecosystem by protecting the mainland from storm events and improving water quality by filtering runoff."
~
Stephanie Bailenson
Director of DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas
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2012 State of Florida