Each fall and winter, LJAP participates in several school STEM nights within the Tallahassee community. This October, staff joined dozens of other science organizations at the School of Arts and Sciences’ (SASC) annual Science Night. This event hosted hundreds of students and parents. LJAP showed off an interactive table about lake ecology and management. 

The Fishy Fashion Show exhibit and opening night were a mixture of joy, silliness, education, seriousness, and creativity. These are essential ingredients of success when trying to get an important message out to the public. Artist Joan Matey’s costumes made of marine debris delivered a message both powerful and fun.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, GTM Research Reserve attended the Cub Scout Pack 277 “Back to Pack” event, held at Christ Church in Ponte Vedra Beach. The purpose of the event was to get Cub Scouts excited about scouting in the upcoming year. Outreach Specialist Kristine Seager introduced the group to Princess Diana, a diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) turtle, one of the reserve’s animal ambassadors.

Bartram Trail High School student Ava Hunt is interning with GTMNERR’s aquarist this summer. Eventually, she wants to become a researcher in marine biology.