Our office is open 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday

Tel: (305) 361-6767 x 119 Fax: (305) 361-7061

Email: reservations@biscaynenaturecenter.org

www.biscaynenaturecenter.org

Reservations are required for all tours

Please call 305.361.6767 x 119 or email: reservations@biscaynenaturecenter.org

Gift shop souvenirs for sale and vending machines available - all proceeds

help support the Nature Center. ALSO AVAILABLE: Ask about our indoor

exhibit room tour, naturalist & video presentations in our theater Gallery.

Directions to the Nature Center

We are located at the North end of Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. Take the North Beach Entrance into Crandon Park. Once you enter the Park, turn left. We

are located at the North end of Parking Lot #1.

6767 CRANDON BLVD. KEY BISCAYNE, FL 33149

Field Study Expeditions

Info to Know about Our Field Science Programs School programs are scheduled weekdays anytime. There must be one chaperone (over 18 years old) that will join us in the water for every five children. Non-water programs require one chaperone for everyten children. All programs are specialized for the individual grades of Pre-K through College level.

Programs for families, scouts and the general public are offered seven days a week. There must be a minimum of ten participants. There must be one chaperone (over 18 years old) who will join us in the water for every five children. Non-water programs require one chaperone for every ten children.

All program equipment is provided by the Biscayne Nature Center. Please wear comfortable, appropriate clothing for your program. Bring a hat, sunscreen and bug repellant. Closed toed shoes are required for all programs. No flip-flops, sandals or Crocs should be worn.

All programs are ADA accessible. Please call or check our website for pricing for all programs.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Seagrass Adventure

The Seagrass Adventure is your chance to practice your catch and release techniques, and come eye to eye with marine creatures in this unique marine nursery. Guided by an experienced naturalist, your students will wade into the seagrass beds, and using nets, collect the various species that frequent the seagrass beds. These animals include various fish species, seahorses, sea urchins, crabs, shrimp and sea stars. Your naturalist will identify each species caught, giving everyone an opportunity to see first hand how rich and diverse the seagrass ecosystems are. This is truly a magical, wet and educational adventure.

Hammock Walk Take a guided tour through the trails of the Bear Cut Preserve where you will discover the unique and rare ecosystem of the coastal marine hammock. Due to rapid coastal development,

the Bear Cut Preserve houses one of the few remaining natural coastal hammock areas in South Florida. Children will learn about the past residents of our hammock, including bobcats, panthers and even black bears, and discover why these animals no longer inhabit the island. The children will also be introduced to the culture and traditions of the

Tequesta Indians, including the natural materials they used to survive. After exploring the coastal hammock, you will have a greater appreciation of the delicate balance of the critters and plants found in this ecosystem.

Fossil Reef Expedition The north end of the Bear Cut Preserve houses a unique fossil reef that exists in only one other location in the world. The fossil rock reef was formed over 1500 years ago. It is the formation of mangrove roots or seagrass roots - there is still controversy among scientists. This reef provides a home to many organisms within the tidal pools created by the fossilized roots at low tide. The students will learn the history of Key Biscayne, including how the island was formed and the natives that inhabited the island before it was developed. The students will also be able to identify and possibly classify the organisms that utilize the tide pool area, as well as what adaptations they have to help them live in this habitat.

Mangrove SlogThis wading exploration takes place in the north end of the Bear Cut Preserve, where one of the few pristine mangrove areas close to urban Miami exists. While slogging through the mangroves, students will be exposed to the basic information, including biological information, importance, adaptations, and threats to mangrove communities. Some of the wildlife to be encountered includes wading birds, fish, mangrove crabs, oysters, sea slugs and much more! Conservation issues will also be discussed and the students will be taught how their actions can help save our environment.

Beach Babies Seagrass Adventure Are you looking for fun, educational, and nature-

oriented activities for your pre-school or kindergarten class? Introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of animals and plants in South Florida. The Beach Babies program allows our youngest visitors to see, touch, and smell marine animals and plants in order to fully experience the environment. Activities include a beach and hammock walk, art projects, exploration

of our butterfly garden and a visit to our exhibit room with live animals from our seagrass beds. This program is specifically designed to cater to a young audience, and does not include going into the water.

Coastal Ecology Can’t decide which field science program best fits your group? The Coastal Ecology program will provide your students with a broad background on all the south Florida ecosystems that exist within the Bear Cut Nature Preserve. The students will learn about the history of the barrier island of Key Biscayne, plus how every ecosystem is connected, and how people impact the environment. Activities include a beach and hammock walk, a butterfly exploration in our garden, a walk through the mangroves, and a visit to our exhibit room which houses the various marine animals in the seagrass beds off the Bear Cut Preserve. This program does not include going into the water.

General Program Information The Field Science Programs at the Biscayne Nature Center are an exciting way for children and the general public to learn about the South Florida environment by directly interacting with the natural surroundings in the Bear Cut Preserve on Key Biscayne. Our programs promote environmental education and the encouragement of greater citizen participation in the protection of our natural environment. All of the programs last approximately 3 hours and cost $12 per person. Our programs are designed for 2nd through 12th grade students, except for the Beach Babies program which is designed for Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st graders. All participants should be prepared with closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, lunch, and a change of clothes for the water programs. You will find a short description of the Field Science Programs at the Biscayne Nature Center inside this brochure. All six programs are approved field science study programs by the Miami-Dade Public School System.

We look forward to hearing from you!