‘AMAZING ADVENTURES’ LECTURE SERIES OFFERED AT ROOKERY BAY

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 22, 2014

CONTACT: Renee Wilson, 239-530-5958, Renee.Wilson@dep.state.fl.us

‘AMAZING ADVENTURES’ LECTURE SERIES OFFERED AT ROOKERY BAY

~Evening photo presentations take audience on armchair journeys around the world~

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NAPLES – Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve announces its 2015 Amazing Adventures lecture schedule hosted at the Environmental Learning Center.

Running from January through March, these evening lectures bring many corners of the world to the auditorium screen. Photo presentations are narrated by a local naturalist, researcher or explorer providing destination ideas, natural histories, travel tips and insights. The lecture schedule appears below.

WHAT: Westward Found, the American Southwest
WHEN: Jan. 30; 6 p.m.

TOPIC: Amy Washuta and Luke Gommerman, National Park Service Rangers. Lecture description: From the deep, verdant swamps of subtropical Florida to the intricately carved rock wilderness of the American Southwest, join National Park Service ranger Luke Gommerman and Amy Washuta on a journey that has taken them even further than they imagined. Be inspired to leave behind the comforts of home and lose yourself as never before.

WHAT: Getting to the Roof of Africa
WHEN: Feb. 27; 6 p.m.

TOPIC: World traveler and biomedical engineer Scott Sherman presents his adventure of climbing the highest volcano in Africa: Kilimanjaro. The talk includes the planning, preparation, training, travel and successful completion of the trek. More than 20,000 people attempt to summit this mountain annually and only about half of them actually make it. Relive the experience with Scott and learn what lessons can be learned from undertaking such a grand adventure.

WHAT: Biologists Ignite!
WHEN: March 27; 6 p.m.

TOPIC: Our group of four southwest Florida biologists will make presentations about their lives and their life's work using only 20 slides, each with a time limit of 30 seconds. This format will result in a night of diverse, innovative and inspirational story-telling, where passion for the environment serves as the backdrop for anecdotes from the adventures of their lives with accompanying illustrative images. Deborah Jansen, Mike Owen, Ralph Arwood and Mike Duever will provide an evening of inspiring talks.

For each lecture, doors open at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments. The speaker’s presentation is from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by questions and mingling.

Advanced registration is required at www.rookerybay.org. Cost is $10, including lunch, and is free for Friends of Rookery Bay members. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is located at 300 Tower Rd. off Collier Boulevard between Naples and Marco Island. For more information on the programs call 239-530-5972.