May 2018
It's Time to Register! 
"Summer by the Sea"  Marine Science Camp
$395/wk
$350/wk for returning campers & siblings

Register your child for the best summer ever!  Campers will join our lifeguard-certified marine biologists for exciting, hands-on marine science explorations. Children will experience a sea grass adventure, kayak and snorkel alongside our unique fossil reef, paddle board, dissect squid, make beautiful art projects, play fun science beach games, plus lots more. 

Weekly sessions run  June 11 - August 3, 2018.  Book 1 week, 2 weeks or all weeks!

Contact us today  305-361-6767 x 119 or register online.  


Countdown to summer has begun...
motionmailapp.com
Family Seagrass Adventure
Saturday, May 12th
12:00 pm-3:00 pm
 
Drag a net in the seagrass and who knows what you may come up with!  From seahorse to sea stars, pipefish to pufferfish, there's sea life of all shapes and sizes living in the seagrass right outside our doors. Your naturalist guide will identify each species before gently releasing the catch. It's wading fun for the whole family, with netfulls of surprises!

$14 per person.  Reservations  required. Call: 301-361-6767 x119.
Theodora Long presents award to 
Jaswinder Bolina

O, Miami Poetry Festival
"Marjory Stoneman Douglas  Poetry Award"

We were proud to be part of O, Miami this year. We hosted thousands of children at the BNC who wrote nature-inspired poems and celebrated the culmination of the month-long Festival with announcement of the first ever Marjory Stoneman Douglas Poetry Award. 

Congratulations to the winner:  Jaswinder Bolina !

Much like the prize's namesake, Mr. Bolina is an award-winning poet and writer, as well as a political and social activist.  He  currently teaches on the faculty of the  M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing at the University of Miami. Bravo!
 

                     Photo courtesy of Charlotte Kesl/O, Miami
Nancy Roehm Gray donated sculpture of Marjory Stoneman Douglas to the BNC
"Marjory Stoneman Douglas & Friends" Gift
 
Mrs. Nancy Roehm Gray recently surprised and delighted us with the donation of her sculpture of Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The artwork depicts Marjory holding up her seminal book "River of Grass," and surrounded by a happy assortment of animals and plants native to the Florida Everglades.

We are grateful for the gift of this lovely tribute to our founder.  Thank you,  Mrs. Gray!

Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin emceed at Marjory's 100th birthday celebration
"Marjory Stoneman Douglas would be proud of students"

So writes Marjory's dear friend, the Honorable Harvey Ruvin, Clerk of Courts for Miami-Dade County. 

Harvey and Marjory met in the 1970s -- when Marjory was in her eighties -- and joined forces to save an historic Miami  treasure. Their friendship grew from that experience and many others.  Having known  Marjory well, he is certain that she would be proud of the "perseverance and idealism" shown by students  in the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Parkland, FL.  And we agree!  You can r ead the full article here.
Click on calendar to download the BNC Program Schedule
May Creature Feature!
Creature
Sea Turtle
Chelonioidea
Leatherback Sea Turtle
It's official! The 2018 Sea Turtle Nesting Season has begun.  Here on Key Biscayne, loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle nests are most common, but monitors have already identified an unusual leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) nest this year!  The leatherback is the largest species of sea turtle and is the only type that lacks a bony carapace, hence the name.

All sea turtles are threatened or endangered and their  nests are protected by law  The journey from mothers nesting on the beach to hatchlings reaching the ocean is fraught with obstacles, so here is what you can do to help make 2018 a successful season:   Ways to help .  

To learn more about Sea Turtles and for close encounters with other fascinating marine phenomena,  join us for a field trip led by our friendly, knowledgeable naturalists.
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