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Spring Update
As we head into the 2012 season, we've already been very busy. We've hosted over 700 students and almost 200 adults! We've also had some exciting weather events! Kayaking in 30 knot winds!!! Thank goodness for barrier islands and a sense of adventure from our students and teachers!
We've spent most of this "winter" season at Myakka River State Park and Sweetwater Organic Community Farm. Our winter temperatures were exceptionally mild - in the 70's - with very few cold fronts! The birding at Myakka has been fantastic this winter; we have spotted black-necked stilts, roseate spoonbills, glossy ibis, barred owls, wild turkey AND the white pelicans are still at the park!  We are just starting up with our Island Adventures Programs for the season, so hurry and book yours soon as this promises to be a warm summer! We even found a seahorse during our latest dip-netting activity! |
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Family Fun Days!
It's that time of year again to start planning your Family Fun Day excursions!!! Open to ages K-gray!
Myakka Mysteries Friday, April 20 Join us for a canoe and birdwatching expedition, canopy walk through the trees, and learn about the watershed!
Island Adventures Friday, June 8  Explore a barrier island by kayak, learn about mangroves and seagrass beds, and dip-net for critters! Discounts are provided for booking multiple trips! All trips run from 9-2. Contact us to register. |
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Meet Our New Staff!
Sara McCutcheon
 Sara joins us as our new Education Director! Sara is originally from Boise, Idaho, got her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Marine Science from the University of Hawaii-Hilo, and is finishing up her Master's degree in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University. Sara is an avid diver and holds certifications as a PADI Divemaster, AAUS Scientific Diver, and also has her USCG Master Captain's License. In her free time she likes to kiteboard, spearfish, and free dive!
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FREE Teacher Workshops
Pinellas County: Saturday April 14th at Fort De Soto
Manatee County: Saturday, May 5th at Anna Maria Island
Would you like to take your students on a field trip or bring them an outreach program but just don't have the money or time? Then join us for our FREE workshop to discover how to partner with Nature's Academy to bring your classroom outdoors.... FOR FREE! For more information, click on the links: PinellasManateeTo register |
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Splash Mini Grants
2012-2013 School Year
 Attention Teachers: As the 2011-2012 school year comes to a close, it is time to start thinking about the next school year. Each year, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) "Splash" school grant program provides teachers with up to $3,000 in funding to enhance student knowledge about water, water resources and the local environment.
We have partnered with numerous schools and assisted them by co-writing splash mini grants, developing curriculum, and providing educational field trips and outreach programs. This is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to "bring their classroom outdoors", provide relevant, hands-on activities for students, and get them excited about science, learning and the Florida environment!!!  
Nature's Academy offers a variety of programs focusing on water, water resources, estuary ecology and freshwater systems, such as Organic Earth, Myakka Mysteries and Island Adventures. Additional information about our educational programs can be found on our website. |
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Island Adventures Campaign Fund
 Due to the downturn in our economy, schools have had to make some drastic budget cuts and field trips have been nearly eliminated. Our ultimate goal is to implement a district-wide Island Adventures field trip for every 5th grade student in Pinellas and Manatee county (for more information on this project please visit Island Adventures Pilot Project). Our goal this year is to sponsor 3,000 5th grade students for the Fall 2012 season, so every donation counts. Please become a member or donate today! Visit our website for more information. |
Thank you F.I.S.H. Foundation!
We received a generous grant from the F.I.S.H. Foundation to purchase a van for use in everyday field trip activities. F.I.S.H. Foundation's mission is to touch people and groups whose particular needs could otherwise not be met without a grant. The remaining funds will be put toward our Fall Island Adventure Project.
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Creature Feature
White Pelican
The American white pelican is about 5 feet tall, weighs in at 16 pounds, and has a wingspan of 9 feet, making it one of the largest birds in North America! The white pelican has predominately white feathers, with black primary feathers visible in flight.
The white pelican breeds and spends most of its life in Canada and the north-central US. They migrate south to California, Mexico, and the Gulf states during the winter months. Here in Florida, there are a few non-breeding adults that stay in Florida during the summer months.
The white pelican reaches sexual maturity in 3 years and lays 2 eggs in nests on the ground. Breeding adults have a fin-like plate on their bills which falls off after the breeding season!
 
Unlike the brown pelican, which is a year-round resident of Florida, the white pelican does NOT dive into the water to catch fish. Instead, white pelicans forage cooperatively! They feed in flocks and the flock will encircle a school of fish and then they will dip their beaks into the water to catch the fish. Also, they typically drive the fish into the shallows for easier capture!!! Now that's teamwork!
Pelicans were one of the bird species affected by DDT. DDT made the egg shells fragile and a lot of birds were lost. White pelicans were once considered a threatened species. However, the white pelican has been increasing at a rate of 4% per year since the late 1990s! The largest threat to these birds are shootings (fishermen want to protect fish for themselves), habitat loss, nest disruption (they will abandon their nests), and water level fluctuations.
 | A nesting island that is partially flooded. Molly Island, Yellowstone National Park
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What you can do to help:
- Beach clean-ups (sea birds mistake plastic debris for food)
- Dispose of used chemicals and oil properly
- Limit water use (sewage-treated water returns to the ocean)
- Dispose of used fishing gear properly (monofilament recycling bins)
- Pick up litter (everywhere in the world watersheds move water into the oceans and take with it any associated debris)
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The Nature's Academy Flock Nature's Academy |
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