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Book your Spring Field Trip Now!
 Spring is almost upon us! Our calendar is filling up quickly, please book your program soon to ensure availability. For a reminder of our field trips, visit our website. To book your program, contact us now! |
Island Adventures Project Update
 We've been busy this fall with our Island Adventures Project. Nature's Academy applies for grants independently and in partnership with schools. Additionally, we accept corporate sponsors and donations to bring local fifth grade students on FREE field trips. For our fall 2012 season, we have hosted 62 classes from 13 schools offering this field trip to 1,158 students and 195 adults!  The Island Adventures Project is a hands-on, outdoor, environmental education program spotlighting the critical role that water plays in shaping and sustaining Florida's natural systems within watersheds and estuaries. Immersed in a series of activities, participants gain a deeper understanding and compassion for the complex hydrology and ecology of the area, why it is significant, relevant anthropogenic threats and future watershed conservation measures.
 The ultimate goal of our Islands Adventures Project is to foster better stewardship of the region's limited resources. Additional project goals are to increase awareness of the impacts a growing population imposes on watersheds and estuaries, and to use outdoor education as a vessel to enhance participant knowledge, increase classroom performance and supplement teacher curricula.
 We sincerely thank the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Manatee County School Board,Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program for helping us to make this experience possible!  To read more about the Island Adventures Project, click on this link. If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or donating, please contact Dana.
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Our Corporate Sponsorship Program Helps Local Students!
In 2009, we launched the Island Adventures Project (IAP) in Pinellas and Manatee counties. The ultimate project goal is to implement a district wide Island Adventures field trip for every 5th grade student in both counties by 2020.
Please consider becoming a Nature's Academy corporate sponsor today - 100% of your donation DIRECTLY supports the students and all donations are tax deductible! We have five sponsorship levels...
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Sponsor level:
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Donation:
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Directly supports:
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Bull Shark
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$5000 and up
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10 classes
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Tarpon
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$2500 and up
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5 classes
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Stone Crab
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$1000 and up
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2 classes
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Bay Scallop
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$500 and up
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1 class
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Seagrass
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$250 and up
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10 students
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For more information, please click here and contact us.
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Meet our New Staff!
  Christine is joining the Nature's Academy Flock as the new Field Instructor! A native Floridian from Sarasota, Christine graduated with her B.S. in wildlife ecology and conservation and B.A. in Spanish from the University of Florida. Christine has been a wildlife field researcher throughout Florida and has recently returned from Costa  Rica where she was working with hawksbill and Pacific green sea turtles. In her free time Christine enjoys kayaking, tennis, and watching her Florida Gators play! |
 We're hiring!!!
Office Assistant
We are seeking a highly motivated individual for part-time work. Responsibilities will include: bookkeeping, answering phone calls, replying to e-mail, organizing programs, processing paperwork, ordering supplies and other general office upkeep.
An ideal candidate will have strong MS Office skills, be available at least three days per week, have excellent communication skills, be able to work in a team environment.
Pay is commensurate with experience. Please contact Dana if interested in more information. |
We're looking for Spring Interns!
 Not a lot of experience...yet? Well, how about working with us as an intern? Gain valuable experience working with school groups, build up your resume with volunteer hours, and get to work at the beach! Sound fun? We're looking for college students with teaching experience and knowledge of local flora and fauna. CPR/First Aid/Lifeguard training will be provided!
Send us a statement of interest, college transcripts, CV/resume, 3 letters of recommendation, and a completed intern application form. For more information, see the internship program description. |
Give the Gift of Learning!
 Can't figure out what to get that person that has everything?? This Holiday Season, make a donation in someone's name to sponsor our local fifth grade students on a field trip! Refer to our Corporate Sponsorship information to see the number of students your generous gift will host!
 Or check out the Spoonbill Shop for great gift-giving ideas. All proceeds benefit our Island Adventures Project! |
Creature Feature: West Indian Manatee
 The West Indian manatee is Florida's state mammal. Manatees grow to an average length of 9-10 feet - with a maximum of over 13 feet! On average, they weigh 1,000 lbs and the largest recorded weight is 3,910 lbs. Manatees are herbivores that feed predominately on seagrass and have a large prehensile upper lip that helps to  manipulate food. They spend up to 8 hours a day feeding and consume up to 10% of their body weight every day! Manatees only have molar teeth, which are replaced constantly - back molars are the newest, move forward, and eventually fall out. This is thought to be an adaptation due to the abrasive wear from the large amount of sand they ingest with their food.
 Manatees spend from 2-12 hours a day resting and can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes, but typically breathe every 3-5 minutes. They can reach speeds of 20 mph for short bursts, but usually swim at 3-5 mph.
Manatees only have six vertebrae in their necks (most mammals have seven) and this prevents them from turning their heads.
Life Cycle
 Females reach sexual maturity around 4-7 years and after a gestation of 13 months, they usually give birth to one calf. Females will birth a calf every 2-3 years. Calves are approximately 4 feet long and weigh 65 lbs! The calf will stay with the mother for about 2.5 years. Manatees in captivity have been reported to live for as long as 50 years!
Protection
 Threats to manatees include: collision with watercraft, habitat loss, entanglement in marine debris, crushing in canals with lock systems, and natural events such as extremely cold weather, red tides, and storms.
Manatees are Endangered Species and are protected under two federal laws: the US Endangered Species Act and the US Marine Mammal Protection Act and Florida state law: the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.
It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Violations of the federal or state laws can be met with fines and/or imprisonment.
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We hope to see you at one of our programs soon and have a Happy Holiday this winter!
Sincerely,
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The Nature's Academy Flock
Nature's Academy |
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