The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University is a collaborative effort, connecting research and science in Southwest Florida. With a variety of integral partnerships throughout the SWFL region, the impact is felt through student and faculty research, internships and service-learning hours. FGCU alumni continue these partnerships after graduation while faculty and staff serve as board members with our partners. Through close collaboration, FGCU continues to build our commitment to stewardship and conservation.
BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE
11:00 am -12:00 pm The Water School Tent, outside Library Join the chief hydrologist for Big Cypress National Preserve, Bob Sobczak, and sing original campfire songs about nature in Southwest Florida. There will be a Q & A about watersheds and discussion about how FGCU has made an impact on Big Cypress National Preserve. Presented by: The Water School
THE GREAT LAWN
CALUSA NATURE CENTER & PLANETARIUM
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm The Water School Tent, outside Library Learn more about our partnerships with the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium. Established in 1970, it’s been a part of the Southwest Florida community for nearly 50 years. Presented by: The Water School 42
CORKSCREW REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM WATERSHED (CREW)
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm The Water School Tent, outside Library Explore family-friendly activities at the showcase and learn about our partnership. CREW straddles Lee and Collier counties and provides natural flood protection, water filtration and vital aquifer recharge. It also serves as an important wildlife corridor and as an environmental education fieldclassroom for all ages. With many distinctive natural communities— including marsh, cypress and maple swamp, oak hammock and pine flatwoods — CREW provides crucial habitat for many of Florida’s native wildlife, including the swallow-tailed kite, black bear and Florida panther. Presented by: The Water School
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
DING DARLING WILDLIFE REFUGE
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm The Water School Tent, outside Library Explore family-friendly activities at the showcase and learn about our partnership with the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was created to safeguard and enhance the pristine wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting and roosting areas for migratory birds. Presented by: The Water School
FRIENDS OF SIX MILE CYPRESS SLOUGH PRESERVE 10:00 am - 11:30 am The Water School Tent, outside Library Explore family-friendly activities and learn about our partnership with Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, a critical wetland system in the SWFL community. Presented by: The Water School
LOVERS KEY STATE PARK
10:00 am - 12:00 pm The Water School Tent, outside Library Meet Katie Moses, park manager at Lovers Key/Carl E. Johnson State Park, to learn about our community partnership. Stop by for a chat and ask questions about the park and what it is like to be a park manager while exploring different sea creatures. Presented by: The Water School
NAPLES ZOO AT CARIBBEAN GARDENS
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm The Water School Tent, outside Library Explore family-friendly activities at the showcase and learn about our partnership. Education is at the heart of Naples Zoo’s mission, with educational experiences designed to inspire visitors to respect, value and help conserve wildlife and our natural world. Naples Zoo has been educating generations of families for over 50 years. Presented by: The Water School
F G C U D AY P R O G R A M
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THE GREAT LAWN
THE WATER SCHOOL PARTNER SHOWCASE
