November 19, 2007 - Oxbow Eco-Center Announces December Events
The Oxbow Eco-Center, St. Lucie County's environmental learning center, has several events scheduled for December, including the return of the eco-holiday crafts, weekly hikes and 10 percent off everything in the gift shop.- The Oxbow's ''Wake-Up Lecture Series'' presents ''Invasive Plants and Animals:'' on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. Retired NOAA Research Scientist Dr. Herman Kumpf has a new passion in life: Tracking aliens. Not little green men from Mars, but the spotted tilapia from Africa, Pacific Lionfish and the Asian Eel. Southern Florida is a haven for plant and animal species that are not native to our area. These ''invasive'' species can inflict negative environmental and economic consequences. Learn about these animals, their invasive pathways, impacts on our environment and what we can do to prevent their introduction and dispersion.
- The Oxbow's ''Nature for Families'' will focus on ''Eco-Holiday Crafts'' on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Love giving homemade crafts during the holidays? Then join the Oxbow's eco-holiday craft-making sessions. There will be a variety of crafts to choose from for different ages and abilities. Appropriate for ages 3 and up. The cost is $3 per person and registration is required. To sign up call (772) 785-5833.
- The Oxbow staff offers scenic guided canoe/kayak tours along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River on Saturday, Dec. 15 starting at 9 a.m. Paddlers will launch from White City Park and cruise down the river to the backside of the Oxbow property, possibly passing turtles, wading birds and even alligators. The cost is $15 per person. Children 5-7 are free. Early registration and pre-payment is required, by calling (772) 785-5833.
- Guided hikes continue at Oxbow every Saturday at 10 a.m. Join an Oxbow naturalist as they lead visitors along a series of trials, discussing the plants and wildlife that live in the different habitats along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Additionally, several club meetings and programs are held at the Oxbow Eco-Center:
- The Photography Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. All photographers, from novices to experts, are encouraged to attend. Field trips take place the following Saturday.
- The St. Lucie Audubon Society will meet Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. with Greg Braun who will present: ''Birds and the Plants That Attract Them.''
- The Florida Native Plant Society (Lakela's Mint Chapter) will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Dec. 11 beginning at 6 p.m. with a holiday pot luck dinner. Join the Lakela's Mint Chapter of the Native Plant Society to learn more about the plants that make Florida special.
- St. Lucie Regional Herp Society will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend and learn more about snakes, lizards, frogs and other reptiles.
In addition to the various scheduled events, the Oxbow's trails are open every day from dawn until dusk, while the education center is open Tuesday through Friday from 1-5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m. Situated on a 220-acre preserve on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, the Oxbow offers a rare glimpse of ''the real Florida'' with nature trails, boardwalks, observation towers and an interactive environmental learning center.
The Oxbow is located at 5400 N.E. St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie (across from the Publix Shopping Center). For more information call the staff at (772) 785-5833 or visit www.stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow.