An amazing world exists only 15 minutes (by car) from downtown Naples. Located at the northern end of the Ten Thousand Islands, rivers and streams meet the sea at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Stretching across 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forest, uplands, and protected waters and encompassing up to 40 percent of the Collier County coastline, this vital estuarine habitat is home to myriad wildlife, including 150 species of birds and many threatened and endangered animals.
The reserve is a national treasure committed to preservation through research, education, and land protection. It is also home to the environmental learning center, a two-story, 16,500-square-foot facility with four research laboratories, classrooms, and a 140-seat auditorium, offering a variety of hands-on experiences and exhibits.
During the month of February, the…
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Naples Illustrated (Digital) - 1 Issue, February 2023