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Weedon Naturalist
The Weedon Naturalist Program is for adults
who wish to become familiar with the ecosystems that
surround us here in the Tampa Bay area. This program explores the complex and
intricate connections between living things and their
physical environments, including
the connections between people and natural ecosystems. Each session
utilizes Weedon Island Preserve as a study site to explore
the various major ecosystems that comprise the Tampa Bay watershed,
and features some key native species and their ecological roles. Interpretive techniques from a curriculum
of the National Association for Interpretation provides tools
necessary for participants to share their knowledge and enthusiasm
for the natural world. The Preserve is a rich mosaic
of upland and estuary ecosystems with a great diversity of organisms. We
examine the varied and unusual adaptations that allow these
organisms to flourish on the island. Each workshop consists
of two components - a classroom discussion and a field excursion
or laboratory discovery session. Sturdy closed-toe walking
shoes are needed for hiking along the trails of the Preserve
during the out-of-doors portion of this workshop.
Coastal Uplands
This session includes topics such as upland ecosystem
identification, native plant distribution, ecology
of upland animals, and changes to the landscape of
Weedon Island Preserve over the last 2,000 years. Coastal Wetlands
Participants focus
on mangrove swamps that dominate Weedon Island
Preserve. These transitional areas, which connect
the Tampa Bay estuary to uplands, provide countless
benefits to Tampa Bay's natural systems and economy. Following
a classroom presentation and discussion on mangrove
ecology, we head out into the swamp to discover
the functions and values of mangrove ecosystems.
Coastal Aquatic Lands
This session begins with a classroom discussion
of the aquatic areas of the Tampa Bay estuary. After
a demonstration of collection techniques, participants
venture into our shallow water areas to discover
some of the organisms found in these unique ecosystems.
Collected organisms are then examined in our classroom-lab
as we discuss the ecology and adaptations of these
species.
Participants completing all three sessions and prepare three species profiles for an on-going
Weedon Naturalist field guide receive a Weedon Naturalist
Certificate and pin. To learn more about this
program, please contact
us. The dates and times of
current workshops are posted on our calendar.
Sign up and earn your Weedon Naturalist Certificate.
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