Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Nature Center

This class will teach you all about the role that oysters play in the health of Apalachicola Bay. Discover what makes the bay so ideal for growing oysters, what gives our oysters their distinct flavor, and how oyster bars benefit the ecosystem. After spending some time in the classroom, participants will get the chance look at its these creatures under a microscope. This class is full of opportunities to learn more about the animals that live in our bay and…

Shellfish aquaculture in Florida consists primarily of clam farming. However, along the Panhandle primarily in Apalachicola, there are several operations culturing the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Erik Lovestrand, UF/IFAS Franklin County Extension Director, will talk about this emerging industry of oyster farming here in North Florida.

Coastal erosion is a natural process caused by currents, wave action, wind, storms and even boat wakes. The traditional methods used to harden the shoreline like seawalls and rip rap can actually often increase the rate of coastal erosion as well as remove the ability of the shoreline to carry out natural processes. The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) will host a workshop on using Living Shorelines to combat erosion on Thursday, February 20, 2020, 2:00-4:00 pm for local…

Yard design and maintenance can have a big effect on adjacent water bodies. Participants in the workshop will learn about resources to help them transform their yard into a luscious bay conscious landscape. The class will also feature innovative Green Infrastructure techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs, and bio-swales. Come find out how to be good to the bay and reduce your water bills. Please register for the class in advance on our eventbrite page. For more information contact:…

Jon Brucker will talk about the diverse and fragile ecosystems that surround seagrasses in the Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves.

The Apalachicola River has been called “the Lifeblood of the Bay.” Freshwater from the river mixes with salty gulf creating Apalachicola Bay, one of the most pristine and productive estuaries in the country. The river has always played an important role in Apalachicola’s history and it is vital to our lives today. It is also a significant resource for the state of Florida, and its freshwater flow is critical to the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico. Participants…

Estuaries are incredibly productive and valuable ecosystems, especially in the Apalachicola Bay area where the seafood industry factors in so heavily in our local economy. Come join us at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve on an overview and tour of the estuary that we have come to depend on, as well as some of the future challenges it may face. Participants will learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit this unique ecosystem as well as how the Gulf…

Yard design and maintenance can have a big effect on adjacent water bodies. Participants in the workshop will learn about resources to help them transform their yard into a luscious bay conscious landscape. The class will also feature innovative Green Infrastructure techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs, and bio-swales. Come find out how to be good to the bay and reduce your water bills. Please register for the class in advance on our eventbrite page. For more information contact:…

The Apalachicola River has been called “the Lifeblood of the Bay.” Freshwater from the river mixes with salty gulf creating Apalachicola Bay, one of the most pristine and productive estuaries in the country. The river has always played an important role in Apalachicola’s history and it is vital to our lives today. It is also a significant resource for the state of Florida, and its freshwater flow is critical to the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico. Participants…

This class will teach you all about the role that oysters play in the health of Apalachicola Bay. Discover what makes the bay so ideal for growing oysters, what gives our oysters their distinct flavor, and how oyster bars benefit the ecosystem. After spending some time in the classroom, participants will get the chance look at its these creatures under a microscope. This class is full of opportunities to learn more about the animals that live in our bay and…

The Apalachicola River has been called “the Lifeblood of the Bay.” Freshwater from the river mixes with salty gulf creating Apalachicola Bay, one of the most pristine and productive estuaries in the country. The river has always played an important role in Apalachicola’s history and it is vital to our lives today. It is also a significant resource for the state of Florida, and its freshwater flow is critical to the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico. Participants…

This class will teach you all about the role that oysters play in the health of Apalachicola Bay. Discover what makes the bay so ideal for growing oysters, what gives our oysters their distinct flavor, and how oyster bars benefit the ecosystem. After spending some time in the classroom, participants will get the chance look at its these creatures under a microscope. This class is full of opportunities to learn more about the animals that live in our bay and…