Media release: Family Naturalist program at Camp Bayou

Media Contact: Dolly Cummings
phone: 813-363-5438
email: famnat@campbayou.org

Family Naturalist Program at Camp Bayou

It's time again to learn about the wildlife in our community and, specifically, to see how the Camp Bayou critters are doing since last season. Each week's focus is on a particular theme, with a short classroom portion, a longer hands-on monitoring segment and a example stewardship activity which everyone can do.

Program begins promptly at 9:30am on the following Saturdays: Jan 5, 12, 19, and 26. Activity is free and it is not necessary to register although it is appreciated. Call Dolly at 813-363-5438 for more information.

Family Naturalist Program

Schedule of activities

All activities begin at 9:30am

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Introduction- What is a Naturalist?

Butterfly inventory

Service project- weeding habitat

Saturday, January 12, 2008

What is a Biological Indicator?

Aquatic Invertebrate count

Service Project- trash pickup

Saturday, January 19, 2008

What is a Keystone Species?

Gopher Tortoise burrow hunt

Service Project- signs

Saturday, January 26, 2008

What is Biodiversity?

Natives in the landscape- grow your own

Service Project- non-native plant removal

Resources and activities will be listed on-line at www.campbayou.org/famnat.html , plus there's a group web journal to post your observations. Program repeats in January, April, July and October.

For those who are interested in monitoring wildlife in your own backyard, a new volunteer monitoring program has begun, coordinated at Camp Bayou. Just spend 30 minutes each month in your yard looking for the presence or absence of wildlife, then go online to http://www.campbayou.org and click on 'Citizen Science in Action' to record your observation and provide some background information. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Dolly citsci@campbayou.org or call at 813-363-5438.

Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. Camp Bayou is a partnership between the Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Visit our website at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call for info 813-641-8545.

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Photos available for download of past Fam Nat programs online at http://snap.tbo.com/pages/gallery.php?gallery=319245