STARability Trailblazers Shine at Rookery Bay

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. She is now a teacher at the Trailblazer Academy.

Guided by Rookery Bay’s volunteer docents, the Trailblazers explored interactive exhibits and spent time enjoying the Estuary Encounter touch tank, where they had the chance to see and touch some of the marine critters that call the estuary home including sea stars, urchins, and even an oyster cluster. Their visit also included a walk along the scenic observation bridge, where participants looked in the water for manatees and juvenile bull sharks.

Rookery Bay’s partnership with STARability extends beyond field trips. In past years, Rookery Bay’s nature store sold beautiful, one-of-a-kind candles that are made by STARability participants at their STAR Store in Naples.

A special thank you goes to volunteer CJ Deal, who helped make these visits meaningful. With experience coaching for the Southwest Florida Special Olympics, he brought patience and encouragement to the tours, creating a positive and inclusive learning experience for everyone.