Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

Bay Friendly Landscaping
2023-01-31 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | FL
Yard design and maintenance can have a big effect on adjacent water bodies. Participants in this workshop will learn about resources to help them transform their inefficient yard into a luscious bay conscious landscape. The class will also feature information on 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 the time you spend on maintenance! Please register for the class in advance at https://bayfriendly2023.eventbrite.com
For information call or email Anita Grove at (850) 670-7708 Anita.Grove@FloridaDEP.gov

Apalachicola River and Floodplain
2023-01-27 12:30 - 16:00 | FL
The Apalachicola River has been called “the Lifeblood of the Bay.” Come learn about the ecology, culture, and history of the Apalachicola River and floodplain, and the impact interstate relationships play in the control of the river. After the in-class portion, we will embark on a journey up the river aboard the ANERR research vessel Henry Lee to get an up-close look at some of the floodplain ecosystems and distributaries of the river. This class is free; however, reservations are required. For more information, please contact Anita Grove at (850) 670-7708 Anita.Grove@FloridaDEP.gov
https://apalachicolariverfloodplain2023.eventbrite.com
This class is intended for adult education purposes, so we kindly ask that people registering be 16 years or older.

SciCafe: Providing Freshwater Inflow to the Apalachicola Estuary
2023-01-26 15:00 - 16:00 | FL
Dr. Steve Leitman will discuss his work with the Apalachicola Bay Systems Initiative regarding freshwater inflow into the Apalachicola Estuary. He will review the capacity of the ACF reservoir system to alter the magnitude, timing, frequency and duration extreme flow events into the estuary both under the current Water Control Manual as well as changes which could be made to the current operating rules to address ecological issues associated with freshwater inflow. To register go to
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1757302583567007063 You will receive a confirmation email with registration information.

Oyster Ecology
2023-01-11 10:00 - 11:30 | FL
Learn about the role 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. We will also look at what possibly made the oysters collapse and what is being done to restore them to Apalachicola Bay. 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 along the tidal flats. Registration is free, but registering is required
https://oysterecology2023.eventbrite.com

SciCafe: Restoring Lateral Connectivity in the Apalachicola River Floodplain: An Adaptive Management Approach
2022-12-15 15:00 - 16:00 | FL
G Matt Kondolf, professor at University of California Berkeley
Along most US rivers, floodplains have been cut off from their rivers by dikes, but the Apalachicola River is flanked by a largely intact forested floodplain, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem productivity. The river’s 400-mi long network of sloughs formerly supported important populations of juvenile fish and other organisms and provided terrestrially sourced nutrients to the Bay. An ill-conceived program of navigational dredging in the second half of the 20th century disrupted formerly stable riverbed and banks, suspending large quantities of sand, some of which deposited in sloughs, forming bars that now block flow of water. As the river has stabilized in the 20 years since dredging stopped, the Apalachicola Riverkeeper is implementing three pilot projects to remove dredging-related sand deposits and clear trees recently downed by Hurricane Michael, to reopen sloughs to water circulation. Testing the conceptual model that reopened sloughs will have sufficient water velocity to self-maintain (as they no longer receive unnaturally large influxes of sand), the pilot projects are carefully monitored. If successful, the approach may be applicable to other sloughs in the system. To register for the virtual workshop, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2087346286683675403. You will receive a link after you register.
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2087346286683675403

Oyster Ecology
2022-12-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Learn about the role 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. We will also look at what possibly made the oysters collapse and what is being done to restore them to Apalachicola Bay. 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 along the tidal flats. Registration is free, but registering is requiredhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/oyster-ecology-tickets-253366695607.

Apalachicola Estuary Exploration
2022-12-09 12:30 - 16:00, 2022-11-18 12:30 - 16:00, 2022-10-14 12:30 - 16:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Join us to explore the estuary we depend on, Apalachicola Bay and its connected ecosystem. Learn about the habits and creatures that make up our estuary and how the river and bay are intricately linked. We will see these habitats up close aboard the Reserve’s research vessel the Henry Lee. For more info and to register go to https://apalachicolabayestuaryexploration.eventbrite.com. This class is free, however reservations are required.

Bay Friendly Landscaping
2022-12-06 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-11-09 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-10-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Yard design and maintenance can have a big effect on adjacent water bodies. Participants in this workshop will learn about resources to help them transform their inefficient yard into a luscious bay conscious landscape. The class will also feature information on 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 the time you spend on maintenance! Please register for the class in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bay-friendly-landscaping-tickets-253339263557

Apalachicola River & Floodplain
2022-12-02 12:30 - 16:00 | FL
The Apalachicola River has been called “the Lifeblood of the Bay.” Come learn about the ecology, culture, and history of the Apalachicola River and floodplain, and the impact interstate relationships play in the control of the river. After the in-class portion, we will embark on a journey up the river aboard the ANERR research vessel Henry Lee to get an up-close look at some of the floodplain ecosystems and distributaries of the river. This class is free, however reservations are required. For more info and to register go tohttps://apalachicolariverandfloodplain2022.eventbrite.com.

SciCafe: FWC Update on Oyster Reef Restoration in Apalachicola Bay
2022-11-21 15:00 - 16:00 | FL
Devin Resko with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will talk about the vision and both the short- and long-term objectives and goals of restoring oyster reefs. To register for the virtual workshop go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3049490429243226639 You will receive a link after you register.

Reserve Wednesday: Sharks with Dr. Dean Grubbs
2022-11-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Dr. Dean Grubbs with the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab will be the speaker for our November Reserve Wednesday series at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Dr. Grubbs is an expert on pelagic fishes, including several species of sharks and fishes that frequent Florida coastlines. Join us on November 16th at 2PM.

Apalachicola River & Floodplain
2022-11-10 12:30 - 16:00, 2022-10-07 12:30 - 16:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
The Apalachicola River has been called “the Lifeblood of the Bay.” Come learn about the ecology, culture, and history of the Apalachicola River and floodplain, and the impact interstate relationships play in the control of the river. After the in-class portion, we will embark on a journey up the river aboard the ANERR research vessel Henry Lee to get an up-close look at some of the floodplain ecosystems and distributaries of the river. This class is free, however reservations are required. Go to https://apalachicolariverandfloodplain2022.eventbrite.com For more information please contact Anita Grove at (850) 670-7708 Anita.Grove@FloridaDEP.gov

SciCafe: River flow and Sea Level Rise Impacts on the Apalachicola Bay Food Web
2022-10-20 15:00 - 16:00 | FL
Changes in river inflow and sea level rise in Apalachicola Bay are likely to occur in the future, but what does this mean for populations of important fishery species as well as the human communities who rely on the estuary? Kira Allen, ANERR’s 2020-22 Margaret A. Davidson Fellow, presents the culmination of her Fellowship research involving a coupled hydrodynamic and food web model and a survey of Apalachicola Bay stakeholders to assess potential future impacts of river flow and sea level rise on the Apalachicola Bay food web. To register go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5935395090125187087 You will be sent a link to join once you are registered.

Oyster Ecology
2022-10-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Learn about the role 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. We will also look at what possibly made the oysters collapse and what is being done to restore them to Apalachicola Bay. 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 along the tidal flats. Registration is free, but registering is required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oyster-ecology-tickets-253366695607

SciCafe: What Fossils Can Tell Us About Oysters in Apalachicola Bay?
2022-09-22 15:00 - 16:00 | FL
Oyster populations in Apalachicola Bay have changed a lot in recent decades, but how do we know what the oyster reefs looked like prior to modern real-time monitoring? Also, how can we gather additional historical information about the intertidal reefs? Join us as we explore what buried oyster shells can tell us about Apalachicola Bay oyster reefs with Dr. Stephen Durham, a paleontologist and environmental specialist with the Florida Dept of Environmental Protection. To register go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3220076357901137165. You will be sent a link to join once you register.

Reserve Wednesday: Diamondback Terrapins
2022-09-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Diamondback terrapins are a brackish water turtle species with an extensive range, inhabiting much of the United States Gulf and Atlantic coasts. U.S. Geological Survey and partners are currently studying diamondback terrapins throughout the Florida panhandle to learn more about the species in an previously understudied portion of their range. Join USGS biologist Dan Catizone at the Apalachicola NERR at 2PM on Wednesday, September 21 for a presentation about what they’ve learned so far.

Red Tides and Other Harmful Algal Blooms: Understanding HABs in the Apalachicola Estuary
2022-08-25 15:00 - 16:00 | FL
In the fall of 2021, Apalachicola and many other northern Gulf coastal communities experienced a red tide event. Although they’re common in the central Gulf coast of Florida, harmful algal blooms (HABs) are an unusual occurrence in the Apalachicola Estuary. What causes HABs? What effects do they have on marine life, especially oysters and other species we eat? Are there other HABs that we need to be concerned about? Jason Garwood, Research Coordinator at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve will discuss these and many other factors surrounding these events. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3167436138390068751 .

Reserve Wednesday: FSU Marine Turtle Research
2022-08-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Join us at the Apalachicola NERR Nature Center for this month’s ‘Reserve Wednesday’ talk at 2PM on August 17. Ian Silver-Gorges, a PhD student at FSU with Dr. Mariana Fuentes, will be discussing the FSU Marine Turtle Research, Ecology, and Conservation Group’s work, with an emphasis on loggerhead sea turtles found on St. George Island.

Turtle Talk Tuesdays at Apalachicola NERR
2022-08-09 14:00 - 15:00, 2022-08-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2022-07-26 14:00 - 15:00, 2022-07-19 14:00 - 15:00, 2022-07-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Visit the Reserve this summer to learn all about our nesting sea turtles. After a presentation on sea turtle biology, our conservation and monitoring program, and ways local residents and visitors can make the beaches welcoming to nesting turtles, Reserve staff and members of the St. George Island Volunteer Turtle Patrol will be on hand to answer all your turtle questions! This air-conditioned event is a wonderful chance to learn more about sea turtles and is great for anyone visiting the area alone or with family.
This event is expected to reach capacity, we recommend arriving early.

SciCafe: Apalachicola Bay Systems Initiative Update With Sandra Brooke
2022-07-28 15:00 - 16:00 | FL
Apalachicola Bay’s oyster industry thrived for over a century. In 2012 the fishery collapsed. Several restoration efforts have been implemented, but populations have not recovered. In 2019, Florida State University was awarded funding for the Apalachicola Bay System Initiative (ABSI) by Triumph Gulf Coast with the goal of gaining insight into the causes of the oyster population demise, understand why the system is not recovering, and identify potential pathways to a healthy Bay ecosystem and oyster fishery. Project lead Dr. Sandra Brooke will give an update on the progress of the Initiative, describing what has been done so far, what will occur in the upcoming year, who is involved, and how to stay up to date on the project. To register for the virtual workshop go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7110525628484578317.
