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Connecting people with southwest Florida’s dynamic coastal environment in support of Rookery Bay Research Reserve in Naples.

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Well now you have to book an ecotour with our partner @risingtidefl … sorry, we don’t make the rules 😅🛶🌊 by @friendsofrookerybay

Rookery Bay is nothing without the people who make it special!
From our dedicated staff to our incredible volunteers, it takes a team of passionate people to protect, preserve, and share the beauty of our estuary. Every tour, every educational program, every event, and every little thing in between happens because of the people behind it.
And most importantly, it wouldn’t be the same without YOU! 🌿
Thank you for supporting Rookery Bay! by @friendsofrookerybay

Come celebrate Halloween with us! 👻🎃🦇 📍300 Tower Road, Naples, FL Free candy while supplies last 🍬 #halloween #ghosts #rookerybay by @friendsofrookerybay

Show this to your boss the next time they ask you to do office work instead of fieldwork 🤣 #biologistlife #thestruggleisreal #work #conservation by @friendsofrookerybay

$Rookery Bay’s Education Team and interns have been busy preparing for another season of field trips for Collier County Public Schools students. From practicing trawling knots to setting up microscopes, the team has been sharpening the skills they use throughout the school year to teach students about the importance of estuaries. The Education Team offers three interactive field trip programs tailored to elementary, middle, and high school students. Through hands-on activities, students investigate the diverse marine life found in oyster reefs, measure water quality using scientific tools such as refractometers, and deploy trawl nets while boating to discover the creatures living along Rookery Bay’s seafloor. These experiences give students a firsthand look at the research methods scientists use to better understand coastal ecosystems. Recently, the team welcomed students for the season’s first Estuary Explorers field trip, a program designed for third through fifth graders at the Environmental Learning Center. One highlight was collecting tiny plankton using a specialized net called a plankton tow, then examining their discoveries up close under microscopes. Each experience brings the next generation of coastal stewards one step closer to understanding Southwest Florida’s unique environment and the importance of keeping it healthy. #CCPS #FieldTrip #EnvironmentalEducation #FloridaAquaticPreserves by @friendsofrookerybay$

Join us at Florida Southwestern State College in Naples for Rookery Bay's 8th Annual Classic Car Show presented by Carter Fence Company, Inc @carterfenceco 🏁🚗

#CarShow #NaplesCarShow #NaplesFL #SWFLCarShow by @friendsofrookerybay

🚁🌿 What We Do: GIS Mapping!

Rookery Bay drone pilots Jill Schmid and Greg Curry joined DEP UAS Coordinator Allix North and Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve staff Erin Keeley and William Kopecky to monitor seagrass habitats in Estero Bay!

Using specialized drone cameras, the team captured aerial imagery to document propeller damage from boats on shallow seagrass beds, track seagrass recovery over time, and create detailed habitat maps.

This collaboration between Rookery Bay, Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, Florida Gulf Coast University, and DEP highlights how shared technology and expertise help protect Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems! 💚

🔗 Learn more at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d10c0e0a273249b4922d763760fb7964

#FloridaAuaticPreserves #GISMapping #SeaGrass #EnvironmentalScience #MarineScience by @friendsofrookerybay

Thousands of birds gathering to roost, the sunset, and a full moon rising over Rookery Bay. I’m still in shock!

And guess what? You can experience this too! @risingtidefl is currently offering this tour.

My recent fundraiser for @friendsofrookerybay helps support the protection of this incredible place. Such a beautiful reminder of why it matters.

Still so thankful to @vandy.runclub 🙏🙏 by @friendsofrookerybay

You just gotta see it for yourself 👀🍃🌊🐬 #SWFL #HiddenGem #LoveFL #VisitFlorida #ExploreFlorida by @friendsofrookerybay

🐊 Critter of the Week: American Alligator! 🐊

Here’s a critter we’ve all spotted at one point throughout Southwest Florida, but did you know that American alligators are considered a keystone species? These prehistoric-looking reptiles play an important role in maintaining healthy wetland ecosystems!

Alligators are best known for inhabiting freshwater environments like marshes, swamps, and rivers, but they can also be found in brackish waters, including areas of Rookery Bay! Unlike crocodiles, alligators lack specialized salt glands, so they are less tolerant of saltwater and generally prefer freshwater habitats.

Alligators create depressions called “gator holes” that hold water during the dry season, providing critical refuge for fish, turtles, birds, and other wildlife. As opportunistic carnivores, they often feed on those same animals, how convienent. But, they also play an important role in the food web and contribute to the health and biodiversity of Florida’s wetlands.

Once threatened by overhunting and habitat loss, American alligators have made a remarkable recovery thanks to conservation efforts and legal protections.

The next time you’re exploring Southwest Florida’s wetlands, keep an eye out for this incredible reptile—and remember to admire it from a safe distance! 💚

#CritterOfTheWeek #AmericanAlligator #RookeryBay #FloridaWildlife #WetlandConservation by @friendsofrookerybay

🌿 Intern Spotlight: Riley! 🌿

At Rookery Bay, Riley wears many hats, from welcoming visitors and leading tours at the Environmental Learning Center to assisting with school field trips, educational programs, and Science Saturdays. Riley is especially excited to gain hands-on teaching experience and connect with learners of all ages, putting classroom knowledge into practice!

Outside of the Reserve, Riley enjoys traveling, hiking, fishing, paddleboarding, and reading. She is also learning to play the harmonica! 🎶

Riley is currently studying Environmental Education at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and hopes to pursue a career as an environmental educator after graduation!

Help us give Riley a warm welcome to the Rookery Bay team! 💚

#MeetTheTeam #RookeryBay #EnvironmentalEducation #FGCU #InternSpotlight by @friendsofrookerybay

Friends of Rookery Bay

@friendsofrookerybay