Science, Nature & Discovery   

SEA CATS: Science Education for Adults—Citizens at The Sea Jump into real marine science with SEA CATS, a hands-on adult outreach program at the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory! Participants head out by boat to explore nearshore seagrass beds, actively sampling vertebrate and invertebrate communities while experiencing the excitement of fieldwork firsthand. The day continues in the lab, where discoveries from the field come to life. Along the way, participants learn not just what marine ecologists know—but also how they create knowledge—by asking questions, collecting data, and making sense of patterns in coastal ecosystems. Through engaging activities and conversation, big ideas like biodiversity, interdependence, and ecosystem health take center stage.

This course is appropriate for the novice to average+ bird watcher. We will address the what, who, where, and how of bird watching in your backyard and the Tallahassee area during Fall migration. Emphasis will be to teach new ID tips & other tools for seeing & identifying birds plus introducing 3 incredible birdwatching locations near Tallahassee. We may even net a bird, band a bird and will definitely see/experience incredible bird habitats.

Class includes:

• How to make your backyard enticing where birds eat and nest

• What are basic & advanced observation tips for identifying all bird species, especially back yard birds and birds in nearby birding hotspots

• What tools (equipment, phone applications, books) are available to enhance your bird watching experiences

• When and where are bird watching hot spots in the Tallahassee area, Florida & the world; and,

• How to make the most of your fun bird watching experiences.  

Mobility Requirement: Participants must be able to walk without a walker or cane and hold binoculars at shoulder level for 2-3 minutes. This class is not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments.

Suggested Reading:

1. The Crossley ID Guide Eastern Birds, Crossley
2. Birdwatching Basics or https://myfwc.com/media/10650/birdwatching-basics-2010.pdf
3. Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America, Kaufman

During this three-part course, we will cover the behavior, ecology, conservation, and management of the manatees and sea turtles​​​​​​​ that are found in Florida's waterways, coastal areas, and beaches. We will share how FWC and our numerous partners help conserve these iconic, imperiled species.

Insect are the most successful land animals on earth, with 30 million species and an enormous range of life habits and forms. They evolved from segmented worms into several major body plans through modification of the exoskeleton. Insects have been flying for over 350 million years, ranging from meters to miles, and up to the troposphere. Insects exploit almost every conceivable terrestrial niche: they live on or in plants, wood, fungus, dead or live animals, blood, hair, manure, soil, and even exploit oil seeps and very likely, your bathroom drains. These marvels will be explained with images, lectures, and an optional field trip.