FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2016

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

APALACHICOLA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS

~Florida residents encouraged to volunteer to help preserve natural resources~

Volunteer within Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve's Nature Center.

EASTPOINT, Fla. – Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is currently looking for dedicated volunteers. Volunteer duties range from greeting visitors in the Nature Center to assisting Apalachicola NERR researchers with field work. Volunteer opportunities include:

• Tending the gift shop in the Nature Center
• Maintaining the native plant garden
• Conducting morning sea turtle nest surveys next summer in 2017
• Volunteering to support the Estuaries Day Celebration on Sept. 23, 2016
• Signing up to be on call to drive injured birds to a rehabilitation facility in Wakulla County
• Participating in the Pier Initiative to help rescue hooked sea turtles and transport them to Gulf Specimen Marine Lab or Gulf World

Apalachicola NERR also often has other special projects that can be tailored to volunteers’ interests. To become a volunteer or to learn more, please call 850-670-7700, or stop by and visit the Nature Center at 108 Island Drive, in Eastpoint, Fla.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Coastal Office

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office (FCO) is responsible for oversight of the state’s 41 Aquatic Preserves, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, the Coral Reef Conservation Program, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Florida Coastal Management Program and the Outer Continental Shelf Program. FCO's mission is to conserve and restore Florida’s coastal, ocean and aquatic resources for the benefit of people and the environment. For more information, visithttp://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/15ef576