Rookery Bay Reserve, Florida

Rookery Bay Reserve

Rookery Bay Opens New Environmental Learning Center

The Environmental Learning Center is now complete at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. After five years of careful planning to ensure minimal impact to the environment, the learning center has been constructed with many resource-friendly features. Seating in the courtyard provides quiet enjoyment of birds and butterflies that are attracted by native landscaping.

The visitor center will emphasize the value of estuaries and the reserve’s role in coastal research, restoration and stewardship. A two-story interpretive area features state-of-the-art interactive displays and live exhibits. Hands-on learning stations and aquaria will illustrate the importance of using science as a tool in managing the coast. The visitor’s center will open in 2004.

Within the facility, training efforts take on a new dimension as the Coastal Training Program takes wing. The CTP utilizes two classrooms and a 140-seat auditorium to provide specialized training for environmental professionals and a host of other coastal decision-makers.

Using cutting-edge technology, the research wing provides three research labs and a live-specimen holding area. A map room and a library will assist and support staff researchers, faculty and students from Florida Gulf Coast University and other universities, and visiting scientists from around the world.

The new facility will encourage visitors to explore important coastal habitats and enjoy Florida’s natural beauty via a planned 1.5-mile trail system with boardwalk. A pedestrian bridge connected to the center will lead visitors across Henderson Creek to the boardwalk in 2005.