Now that we’ve bade summer goodbye, we’re geared up for South Florida’s winter season. And, as our weather gets cooler, Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s winter programs (offered October through April) are coming into full force! Whether you’re a Florida native or escaping from somewhere cold, you’ll find a program perfect for every family member.
If you’re obsessed with nature, Hammock Hikes are perfect for you! Offered every Friday at 10:30 a.m., this program takes families on an excursion through some of Florida’s most precious habitat. Led by an experienced naturalist, guests will navigate through Florida’s rare coastal hammock and natural dune systems. They’ll learn about native birds in the trees all the way to grains of sand on the beach. And, the experience is only $5 per person.
Beach lovers will appreciate this one. Living Beaches, offered every Monday at 10:30 a.m., shows guests just how alive Florida’s beaches are! During this 60-minute program, you’ll enjoy an interactive presentation and backyard beach expedition, learn about the common residents of Florida’s coastal ecosystems and discover how these animals journey from the ocean to the beach. You can enjoy this up-close experience for only $5 per person.
Of course, if you’d rather stare up at the sky than out at sea, check out Astronomy Nights. It’s a great way for guests to explore our expansive night sky. For just $10 per adult or $5 per child, you’ll learn about stars and planets, light pollution and sky glow. This helps encourage participants to increase their awareness of their environmental impact. The Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches will provide a seminar on the night sky, and you’ll peer through powerful telescopes and binoculars to get a closer look! We offer Astronomy Nights once a month based on the night sky’s activity.
For story-lovers young and old, Hatchling Tales is sure to please. The free program, geared toward ages 0-5, runs every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and is perfect for children curious about marine life and sea turtles. Children will enjoy an ocean-themed story and a special themed craft to take home.
Now, if one craft isn’t enough for your little one, bring them to Mommy & Me Paint, offered every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. The program introduces basic sea turtle conservation and biology to children ages 3 and up, and features a brief ocean-themed story, a hands-on biofact lesson and a painting activity. For only $9 per painter or $12 for two, participants can take home their painted turtles and new sea turtle knowledge!
Last but not least, Science for Seniors is for the young at heart. The four-part free program encourages health and fitness in the Golden Years and cycles January through May every Tuesday at 2 p.m. The lecture series covers topics including senior health, fitness and intellectual stimulation. Each session covers a “Reptile of the Week” and concludes with a special coupon to the LMC gift store. Dr. Paul A. Brown, M.D. is the host of this popular seminar. Dr. Brown is a Harvard/Tufts educated pathologist who trained at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He changed the field of laboratory medicine by starting MetPath, now known as Quest Diagnostics. He has had a life-long interest in reptiles and has been a volunteer at LMC for more than four years.
To learn more about our programs, to register or for dates/times, visit www.marinelife.org/visitor-experiences.