About nine miles from Marco Island and about 18 miles from downtown Naples is Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – a long name for a fun and interesting place.
Rookery Bay is responsible for managing wildlife and habitat within its 110,000 acres boundary, which stretches from downtown Naples east through the Western Everglades, encompassing 40 percent of Collier County’s coastline.
The reserve operates programs in coastal research and monitoring, land and water resource management, and environmental learning and decision-maker training at its Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, located at 300 Tower Road in Naples, just off of Collier Boulevard South.
The learning center features aquariums, touch tanks with marine animals, natural history, environmental and wildlife exhibits, an art gallery, picnic area, guided walking trails, a butterfly garden and a scenic overlook bridge. Special events and activities for all ages are held year-round including watercolor and photography classes, gallery nights, presentations about wildlife and conservation, birding field trips, marine science camps and more.Rookery Bay also offers eco-tours and kayaking.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Rookery Bay research reserve is a playground for marine life, nature study
Reporting by J. Kyle Foster, Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
