The NERR's Celebrate National Estuaries Day

Florida’s three National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR’s) -- Apalachicola, Rookery Bay and Guana Tolomato Matanzas -- together protect more than 420,000 acres of valuable ecosystems that provide habitat for the smallest of marine organisms up to Florida’s beloved gentle giant, the West Indian manatee. This weekend, the three state Reserves will join with the nation’s 24 other national estuaries to celebrate National Estuaries Day, an event receiving national recognition since 1988. Apalachicola NERR hosts its activities on Friday, September 26, while Rookery and GTM NERR’s hold their celebrations on Saturday, September 27.

The Apalachicola NERR celebration [PDF - 147 KB] has activities planned for the whole family including boat trips and guided nature walks. Kids of all ages will enjoy the live touch tank creatures and an abundance of arts and crafts. Poster and essay contest winners will be announced, the first 500 guests will receive a free T-shirt and door prize drawings will begin at 6 p.m.

Apalachicola NERR is located in the Florida panhandle between Tallahassee and Panama City. Its 246,000 acres includes a barrier island, estuarine, riverine, floodplain and upland environments.

Excitement is bound to fill the air at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR as the celebration kicks off at the Environmental Education Center in Ponte Vedra Beach with a performance by the "Puppet People.” The nationally recognized group, formed 35 years ago, is comprised of professional puppeteers, singers, actors, artists and musicians who have taken the art of puppetry to a new level. Three performances given throughout the day will mesmerize the audience with a whirlwind of bright colors and energy. Bringing an oceanic themed program about the life of Caretta Caretta (a sea turtle) to National Estuaries Day, the “Puppet People’s” original songs and fun-filled action tells the story of the triumphant survival of this endangered species.

Other activities throughout the day feature live animal presentations, touch tanks, face painting, kids’ games, exhibits from partnership organizations, fish printing, nature book author signings and nature themed crafts. Miss Florida United States Jessica Minch will escort “Cama the Dolphin” as she makes her second public appearance.

Stretching 30 miles north and 30 miles south of the city of St. Augustine, the GTM Research Reserve totals 66,000 acres including salt marsh and mangrove tidal wetlands, oyster bars and upland habitats.

At the Rookery Bay NERR, guests can choose from a host of activities to fill their day. From kayaking, guided walks, crafts, films and presentations to boat tours around Rookery Bay, visitors can learn why estuaries are an important part of Florida’s ecosystem. The tour includes a circle around the bird rookery for which the Reserve was named. In addition to National Estuaries Day, Rookery Bay NERR will be celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Located between Naples and Marco Island, Rookery Bay NERR is comprised of 110,000 acres of diverse coastal wildlife and is one of the nation’s last remaining relatively untouched mangrove-forested estuaries.

To learn more about each of these unique treasures, visit their Web sites at: www.GTMNERR.org, www.RookeryBay.org and http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/apalachicola.