Thursday, May 1st, 9:30am
Wild Edibles Hike
Hungry? This naturalist-led hike will identify species
of edible plants that grow wild in Florida. We’ll identify
the edible parts of plants and get to taste-test them as
well! This program is appropriate for adults. Included
with regular admission. Register by April 30th by calling
275-3435.
Family Fun Day
Saturday, May 3rd, 10am-4pm
3rd Annual Dirt to Dinner Day
Find out how plants in the ground and other home-grown
items turn into your dinner! Participate in a watermelon-eating
contest and other down-home games. Local organizations
will be on-hand to share information and goods including
Everglades Farm Equipment, ECHO, Slow Food Organization,
SW FL Goat Club, Councell Farms, and more... Also, enjoy
local bluegrass music with Jason Nail. Included with admission.
For more information call 275-3435.
Sunday, May 4th, 4pm – 6pm
Dog Day Sunday
Every first Sunday of the month is Dog Day Sunday. Families
can walk their dogs on three different trails. Take the
Cypress Boardwalk Trail or Pine Loop Trail for one-half
mile, or the Wildlands Trail for 1.5 miles through 105
acres. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times. Please
don't bring dogs earlier than 4pm. Gates close promptly
at 6pm. $5.00 per dog for non members, $2 per dog for members.
People with their dogs are free.
Wednesday, May 7th, 9:30am
Hikes for Tykes—Nature Scavenger Hunt
Join us today as we go on a nature sensory scavenger hunt.
Children will find items to touch, listen to, smell, see,
and taste! Appropriate for children ages 3 through 5 and
their families, included with regular admission. Please
register by May 6th by calling 275-3435.
Saturday, May 10th, 6-9pm
Astronomy Day and Telescope Observing
We’ll have activities in the planetarium lobby, planetarium
shows, and telescope observing after dark, including our
5-inch D & G refracting telescope.
6pm- Skies Over Southwest Florida
7pm- Hubble Vision
7:45pm-Bear Tales (and Other Grizzly Stories)
8:30 pm-Ring World
Sunday, May 11th, 8am
Fossil Expedition
Join “Fossiling in Florida” author Mark Renz on a search
for the prehistoric remains of sharks, mammoths, mastodons,
giant sloths, armadillos, saber-toothed cats, and other
fossilized bones and teeth. Everyone keeps what they find
unless it is new to science, in which case it will be donated
to the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.
Mr. Renz will provide shovels and screens for collecting,
and will help identify your finds. Participants should
wear clothes they don’t mind getting wet, as the collection
site may be in waist-deep water. This expedition is appropriate
for entire families, although it is recommended for children
seven and up. Total time collecting will be 4-5 hours.
Meet at Nature Center to carpool to site. The cost is $50
per adult ($35 for members) and $40 for children 12 and
under ($30 for member children). Register by May 9th by
calling 275-3435.
Sunday, May 11th, 11am – 5pm
Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day! Bring your Mom to the Nature Center
and her admission will be free.
Friday, May 16th, 8pm
Night Hike and Campfire
Come walk our one-half mile Cypress Boardwalk and learn
about the nocturnal animals that live at the Nature Center.
Afterward, enjoy S’mores by the campfire. Register by April
10th by calling 275-3435. $3 per person for members, $5
for non-members.
Tuesday, May 20th, 3pm – 4:30pm
Homeschool Afternoon –Entomology
8 – 12-year-olds
Spend the afternoon exploring the bizarre world of bugs.
Compare insects and arachnids, examine insects up close,
and go on a six-legged safari to discover some of the insects
that live in southwest Florida. Children should be prepared
to go outside. Parents need not stay with child during
program. $3 for member children, $5 for nonmember children;
parents are free. Register by May 19th by calling 275-3435.
Workshops on Wildlife-Common FL Mammals
Wednesday, May 21st, 7pm
This exciting five-part series is designed for new residents
of Southwest Florida and those wanting to learn more about
our local wildlife. Tonight’s program provides an introduction
to astronomy, including how to identify several fall constellations.
Telescope instruction will also be included.
This exciting five-part series is designed for new residents
of Southwest Florida and those wanting to learn more about
our local wildlife. Tonight’s program focuses on the mammals
found in this area, big and small – from the panther to
the hispid cotton rat. Please call 275-3435 by May 18th
to register. $3 for members, $5.00 for non-members includes
refreshments and handouts.
Family Fun Day
Saturday, May 24th, 10am-4pm
2nd Annual Safety and Survival Day
Join us for a fun-filled day, where visitors will learn
about Hurricane Preparedness, Boating and Fire Safety,
Wilderness Survival, and more. Test out your orienteering
skills on our compass course to win a prize, learn to identify
poisonous plants, snakes, and insects, and enjoy a hike
to learn about local wild edible plants. Informational
booths and hands-on activities for the whole family will
also be a part of the day. Included with regular admission.
Kids Camp—Water Works
Monday, May 26th, 8:30am-5:00pm
K – 5th graders
Today we will explore the wonderful world of water and
what lives in it, around it or on top of it! We will learn
how fish sleep, why crayfish swim backwards and how water
striders can walk on water. Campers should bring a change
of shoes and socks or wear shoes that can get wet. Please
call by Friday May 23rd to register. Daily rate: $30 non-members,
$25 members.
Preschool Program—Sea and Shore
Tuesday, May 27th, 11am
Find out what lives in the sand along the shore and out
in the ocean. Children will learn about ocean critters
through a story and games. Children will also get a seashell
to take home. Children must be between the ages of 3 and
5. Included with regular admission. Register by May 26th
by calling 275-3435.
