Noah Singer, Ecosystem Assessment Specialist, and Robin Sarabia, AP Manager, of the Florida Keys Aquatic Preserve, met with representatives from SeaBase and SeaCamp to initiate the beginning stages of a partnership with both the organizations. These organizations host camp and school groups throughout the year to provide marine science-based activities to children of all ages.

Quantifying River Flow Metrics for the Apalachicola River was the focus of November’s Sci-Café webinar. Dr. Steve Leitman, who has worked on Apalachicola River issues for decades, provided an overview of a new project aimed at developing scientifically defensible river flow metrics to evaluate potential modifications to federal reservoir operations in the Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint (ACF) River system.

Over the past month, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center welcomed five groups from STARability Foundation’s Trailblazer Academy, a program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each group enjoyed a personalized, hands-on learning experience about Rookery Bay’s coastal habitats and wildlife. It was also a pleasant surprise to see past Friends of Rookery Bay staff member Abigail Swisher leading one of the groups.