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Barrier Island Center Turns August Spotlight on Sharks

By  //  August 2, 2014

All events are free unless noted

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ABOVE MAP: The Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program’s Barrier Island Center is centrally located in heart of the Archie Carr Refuge in South Melbourne Beach at 8385 South Highway A1A. The Barrier Island Center operates in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to provide hands-on educational experiences for visitors to the Refuge through interactive exhibits, nature films, special programs and a 1-mile long “dune-to-lagoon” nature trail. Admission is free to the education center which is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 – 5.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — In August, it’s Shark Week Every Week at the Barrier Island Center.

In August, it's Shark Week Every Week at the Barrier Island Center.The Barrier Island Center operates in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to provide hands-on educational experiences for visitors to the Refuge through interactive exhibits, nature films, special programs and a 1-mile long “dune-to-lagoon” nature trail. Admission is free to the education center which is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 - 5.
In August, it’s Shark Week Every Week at the Barrier Island Center. The Barrier Island Center operates in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to provide hands-on educational experiences for visitors to the Refuge through interactive exhibits, nature films, special programs and a 1-mile long “dune-to-lagoon” nature trail. Admission is free to the education center which is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 5.

Here’s a look at events planed through the month. All events are free unless noted.

• “Turtle Talks!” – Thursdays Aug. 7, 14, and 28, 8 a.m.: Learn about sea turtles and observe the excavation of a recently emerged nest, conditions permitting. You may even see live hatchlings at these free events

• “Sharks, Friend or Foe?” – Saturday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m.: Join Ashley Miller, shark expert, for a fun, factual, and not-so-scary account of our cartilaginous friends and their ecological importance.

• “Shark It to ‘Em Eco-Art and Story Time” – Saturday, Aug. 2, noon: Enjoy sharky snacks while STC Advo-Kid Cori McWilliams shares Great Sharky Shark. Fashion a costume dorsal fin out of recycled materials or make a sock shark puppet to educate friends and family with. Please call to enroll.

The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Management and Education Center is a modern educational facility with classrooms, an interactive exhibit room, a library, offices, auditorium, restrooms and a gift shop. The center provides a focal point for the Archie Carr Refuge and the associated barrier island by providing exhibit space, a presentation hall, and ongoing educational programs that promote stewardship of the area’s fragile natural resources. (Barrier Island Sanctuary image)
The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Management and Education Center is a modern educational facility with classrooms, an interactive exhibit room, a library, offices, auditorium, restrooms and a gift shop. The center provides a focal point for the Archie Carr Refuge and the associated barrier island by providing exhibit space, a presentation hall, and ongoing educational programs that promote stewardship of the area’s fragile natural resources. (Barrier Island Sanctuary image)

• “Painted Sun Prints with Dr. Kate Mansfield” – Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.: Join a renowned sea turtle researcher for a marine life inspired novel craft making colorful sun prints. Materials provided but you may bring extra cotton fabric or found beach objects to print. Please call to enroll; suggested donation $5.

• “Saving Seahorses Through Citizen Science” – Saturday, Aug. 9, 3 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m.: Research scientist Nancy Ho with her baby seahorses will explain how you can help with the conservation of these amazing fishes. Please call to enroll.

• “Touch-a-Terrapin Tank” – Saturday, Aug. 9, 1 p.m.: Interact with diamondback terrapin turtles and more.

The Barrier Island Management and Education Center partners with the Sea Turtle Conservancy who provide support for gift shop operations, volunteer coordination, and educational outreach including guided sea turtle hikes. (Sea Turtle Conservancy image)
The Barrier Island Management and Education Center partners with the Sea Turtle Conservancy who provide support for gift shop operations, volunteer coordination, and educational outreach including guided sea turtle hikes. (Sea Turtle Conservancy image)

• “Sharks, Graceful Hunters of the Deep” – Sunday, Aug. 10, 1 p.m.: Join Joe Bartoszek, dive instructor, for an adventuresome look at sharks and learn how you can become a “shark saver.”

• “Eco-Film ‘Sharks at Risk” – Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16 and 17, 2 p.m.: Cinematic examination of shark population decline and ecological consequences.

• “Oyster Mat Making” – Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.: Help Brevard Zoo restore oyster reef habitat in the Indian River Lagoon.

• “Summer Arts in the Sanctuary” – 2 to 4 p.m.: Fiction – Wednesday, Aug. 6, Ages 8-12; Drama – Wednesday, Aug. 13, Ages 5-7.

VIDEO: Great White Shark Encounter Off Brevard CoastRelated Story:
VIDEO: Great White Shark Encounter Off Brevard Coast

The Barrier Island Center operates in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to provide hands-on educational experiences for visitors to the Refuge through interactive exhibits, nature films, special programs and a 1-mile long “dune-to-lagoon” nature trail.

Admission is free to the education center which is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 – 5. 

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