APALACHICOLA RESEARCH RESERVE INVITES FLORIDIANS TO GET INVOLVED IN NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 26, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

APALACHICOLA RESEARCH RESERVE INVITES FLORIDIANS TO GET INVOLVED IN NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY

~Educational activities celebrate “Where Rivers Meet the Sea”~

ANERR

A look at the pristine beach of Apalachicola NERR, which will celebrate National Estuaries Day with free activities that teach the importance of protecting estuaries.

EASTPOINT–The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserves, managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, invites Floridians to celebrate National Estuaries Day on Friday by learning more about estuary habitats and wildlife at events taking place at the Reserve.

Among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, estuaries serve as nurseries for fish and shellfish and provide vital nesting and feeding grounds for coastal birds, sea turtles and marine mammals. Governor Rick Scott proclaimed Sept. 23-29 as National Estuaries Week, in recognition of the important role estuaries play to both Florida’s environment and economy. Of Florida's 20 major population centers, 15 are located in coastal counties around a bay, estuary or at the mouth of a river that flows into the ocean.

“I encourage our residents and visitors to enjoy these unique ecosystems throughout the year, and to help preserve and protect them,” said Kevin Claridge, Director of Florida's Coastal Office. “Florida's estuaries are vital to coastal communities, providing millions of dollars through tourism, recreational sport fishing and boating.”

Last year, more than 800 people visited the Reserve on National Estuaries Day, many of them schoolchildren. The first 500 to arrive Friday will receive a free t-shirt, courtesy of the Friends of the Reserve.

“National Estuaries Day is a wonderful opportunity for Floridians to celebrate and learn more about these important ecosystems,” said Lee Edmiston, Director of the Reserve at Eastpoint, a field site of the Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. “I encourage Floridians to participate by doing something positive to help protect our estuaries, or learning more about the crucial role they play in Florida’s future and the health of our oceans.”

National Estuaries Day began in 1988 as part of Coast Week to educate the public on the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them. The annual event has matured into a national campaign with festivities taking place across the country, including four in Florida. National Estuaries Day is a nationwide event encouraging the protection and preservation of aquatic environments where freshwater bodies enter the sea.

The Apalachicola NERR will host free educational activities including a cast net game, touch tanks, animal track scavenger hunt, an ocean bingo game, and an oyster tonging game, and much more. Staff will conduct a door prize drawing at 6 p.m. Please call the number below for more information.

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

Friday, Sept. 27

2:30 - 6 p.m.

108 Island Drive

Eastpoint

(850) 670-7700

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas in cooperation with the NOAA.The facilities include a Nature Center, labs, and spaces for education. The Apalachicola estuary serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory for students and scientists from around the world.