• May 11 – “Sharks: To Feed or Not To Feed”
• June 8 – “Smalltooth Sawfish: America's First Endangered Marine Fish”
• July 20 – “The Perfect Predator”
• July 27 – “In The World Of Sharks”
• August 17 – “Shark Nurseries in the Ten Thousand Islands Estuaries”

May, 2011
Dive Into Oceans Exhibition
Collier County Public School students presented a Dive Into Oceans exhibition, on exhibit in May 2011.

• Karla Cuello (Grade 4) of Mike Davis Elementary won First Place with “Sea Turtles”
• Claire Orgrass (Grade 10) of Lely High School won Second Place with “Reaching Out”
• Veronica Castillo (Grade 12) of Lely High School won third place with “Skimming Flamingo”
• Brittany Tripp (Grade 12) of Lely High School won Honorable Mention with “Peeka-Boo”

Whether you’re an avid bird watcher or simply enjoy wildlife, this event provides something for everyone. On-site activities at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center include an array of programs on local wildlife, live birds of prey, touch tank, guided walks on the new observation bridge and Snail Trail, and other family fun activities in addition to the exhibits, nature store, and art gallery.

Rookery Bay Reserve hosted Dive into Oceans, a three-day event providing area middle school students and families with hands-on opportunities to learn about our oceans and their amazing resources. 400 students participated on Thursday and Friday, April 29 and 30, and more than 500 people enjoyed the event on Saturday, May 1.  The event featured an opportunity to get wet in the 17,000-gallon dive pool, as well as an up-close and personal experience with a variety of marine life in aquariums and touch tanks, seeing plankton through a microscope, exploring a research lab, hands-on programs and more.

Learning About Florida’s Estuaries - National Estuary Day 2009

Nearly 900 people attended the National Estuary Day celebration at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples, on Saturday September 26, 2009.

Raising awareness of the value of estuaries is an ongoing effort at the Reserve, and in honor of the nationwide event, visitors enjoyed free boat tours and kayak tours of the Rookery Bay estuary. Thanks to community partners, hundreds of visitors enjoyed views of coastal wading birds loafing at the Reserve’s namesake rookery, as well as dolphins, fish and even a spotted eagle ray.

Those who explored by land were treated to a sneak preview of the new pedestrian bridge across Henderson Creek. The bridge provided a unique glimpse into the upland habitat across the creek where a nature trail is scheduled to open in January.

Another thrill for Estuary Day attendees was the opportunity to explore two brand new exhibits within the Environmental Learning Center (ELC). The Research Vessel Dolphin invited prospective boaters to take the helm, while junior researchers examined the health of our estuary by sorting marine critters caught with a mock trawl net. Kids also listened to bird calls, watched underwater film footage, and even danced along to the sea turtle song. The other new exhibit is the Food Web, where living plankton, magnified up to 100 times its actual size, jump, swim and ooze across big-screen monitors, teaching visitors about these waterborne organisms that provide energy for all marine life.

While the event was a tremendous success, the Reserve was able to reach tens of thousands more people thanks to its partnership with the Naples Daily News. Event coverage was enhanced by a front page banner and graphics explaining the critical role that estuaries play in our ecosystem.