|
||||||||
Field Science ProgramsMake your reservation today! Teacher forms and registration | Download the Brochure (PDF) |
||||||||
 Seagrass AdventureDrag a net in the seagrass and who knows what you may come up with. There's sea life of all shapes and sizes living in the seagrass right outside our doors. From seahorse to sea urchin, pipefish to starfish, the varieties of sea life is amazing. Your naturalist guide will identify each species, making sure everyone gets a good look-see before gently releasing the catch. These seagrass beds are a rich ecosystem. Its wading fun for the whole family, with netfulls of surprises. Wear closed toe shoes that can get wet and get ready to wade. Bring a change of clothes if riding home with a dry bottom is important to you. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 Hammock HikeTake a hike and discover secrets of a coastal hammock ecosystem. Explore the Bear Cut
Preserve on foot with our naturalists and find yourself amazed by just what it takes to thrive and
survive in this beautiful unspoiled environment. From the plants which were used for medicinal purposes
by native peoples to the wild life that calls this environment home,
this is an educational and entertaining walk for the whole family. You'll also learn why
conservation of this delicate area is important. Don't forget comfortable shoes,
and your camera! Since the during the summer months mosquitos are most hungry in the hammock, we will not be providing them with "lunch on the hoof" and just allow them feast naturally until
the fall. See you in September! (sign up for beachcombing or a seagrass adventure, or the tidal pool exploration!) |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
This 2 hour educational program is designed for Pre-K and Kindergarten students.
The students will play a variety of learning games, go on hammock hikes,
experience live animals and take home drawings of many creatures. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 Fossil Reef Tidal PoolGo back in time to the ANCIENT fossil reef. This unusual reef is completely unique to our area and quite a surprise at low tide. You'll explore the tidal life along this exposed reef as you wade along its boundaries and the adjoining mangrove forest. This treasure of the sea is so worth seeing and learning about, and our naturalists are just the people to give you the straight skinny on its delicate existence. The view of South Beach from this area is a bonus. A real contrast to the natural beauty of sand, sea, reef and mangroves around you. Very photo worthy! Of course, walks are done at low tide for maximum observation. (And if you listen carefully, you'll hear the sea residents at work.) This is a teriffic walk & fresh air fun for the whole family. Don't forget your camera and sunscreen. |
||||||||
 Coastal EcologyCan’t decide which field science program best fit your group? The Coastal Ecology program will provide your students with a broad background on all the ecosystems that exist within the Bear Cut Nature Preserve. Activities include a beach and hammock walk, butterfly exploration in our garden, insect discussion, and a visit to our exhibit room which houses the various animals in the seagrass beds off Bear Cut Preserve. This program does not include going into the water, and is perfect for all ages. |
||||||||
Beach Babies
Summer CampsREGISTER NOW! "Summer by the Sea" Marine Science Day Camp |
|
 |
|
Programs for the Underserved, Inner-City and Minority Communities! |
|
 |
 |
|
Michael Scholz Foundation funds the Michael's Magic Summer Camp! |
|
Patterns of Nature |
Science Saturday |
|
The “Patterns of Nature” is funded by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Youth Enrichments Program. The activities include a Seagrass Adventure, Hammock Walk and Butterfly Garden Tour. The Seagrass Adventure gives students an introduction to the marine environment by exploring the seagrass bed shallows of the Bear Cut Preserve. Students will capture, study and release puffer fish ,crabs, sea horses, sea urchins, and many more marine creatures. Students drag D-frame nets through the beds for approximately 45 minutes. After collection, students return to the beach where the naturalist gives a detailed species description of each animal. Students are able to see each animal up close, touch it, if possible, and return it to its habitat. The Hammock Hike takes the students through the various trails in the unique coastal marine hammock. An artistic lesion in how to look for the shapes, and patterns of nature will be one of the beginning sessions before taking off for their explorations. Instruction on how to use a digital camera will also be taught. Students will observe native flora and fauna of South Florida, recording their observations with digital cameras. Similar observation and recording will occur in the beautiful butterfly garden at the Nature Center. Students will observe the life cycle of the native Monarch, Sulfur and the rare Atala Butterfly. Finally, students will take their observations and digital recording to recreate the beauty of the natural environment through art. A professional art/music instructor will guide students to express their thoughts, inspirations and aspirations about the environment through art. Oil pastel drawings, collages from re-cycled materials, natural installations and sculptures will be made. Exhibition receptions will be held to allow the students to share their artwork with family and friends. |
The Miami-Dade County Park Programming Grant is now funding 10 hands-on environmental science education programs called “Science Saturdays” for 225 low-income minority children from the 13 Miami-Dade County Districts. This program is designed to introduce low-income & disabled children, all ages, the joys of exploring nature while exposing them to new educational and career opportunities. The children would be picked up by bus from their home neighborhood and brought to the Nature Center to spend the day in the Bear Cut Preserve exploring nature and performing hands-on experiments in our Discovery Lab Classroom. The “Science Saturday” program is a great opportunity for the inner-city community children. The children explore the world of science at the MSD Biscayne Nature Center through participating in our Seagrass Adventure program, trekking through the mangroves, visiting our fossilized reef, dissecting squid and participating in outdoor educational games. The day begins at 9:30 when the school bus picks them up at their school or church. All equipment such as life jackets, nets, buckets, sunscreen, bug repellant, microscopes, binoculars, viewers, and lunch is provided. The day is absolutely free of any costs to the participants. The children have a hands-on science experience that would not normally come their way. This program has been a real eye opener exposing marine and park career opportunities to them as well. |
|
Let's celebrate your Birthday Party at the Biscayne Nature Center |
|
|
Have a Birthday Seagrass Adventure. Your guests will love wading in the seagrass, dragging individual nets and catching who knows what. You could net seahorse, tile fish, all sorts of other wet critters that will be identified by our naturalist! This is so much fun, whatever your age. Click here (PDF) to download our brochure.  Costs: $275 will cover 25 persons. (each additional person is $10) Chaperones: You must have 1 adult chaperone (over 18 years old) joining us in the water for every 5 children. Bring and wear: Wear closed-toe shoes or water-shoes, (you'll be wearing them in water up to your waist.) Wear comfortable clothes, bring a towel, sunscreen and a hat. And bring a change of clothing, if going home with a dry bottom is important to you. Refreshments: The party host is responsible for refreshments. (please, please, please no glass containers) We provide a naturalist or two, lifejackets, nets and buckets. CELEBRATE your next event, birthday, anniversary, you name it, at the Nature Center! |
|
Eco-Restorations (October - May)& Beach Clean-ups (Every Month) |
|
|
Crandon Park, 6767
Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33149 2003 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, Inc. |
|