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Indian River
County
September 29-November 11, 2009
(Course Code:
uh9-10)
Course is full
You may contact the instructor to be placed on a
waiting list:
Heather@DiscoverELC.org
Max. of 18 students
Facility Information
Environmental Learning Center: Dry Lab
255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Instructor
Information
Heather Stapleton, Education Coordinator
Assistant: Sara Rhodes-Ondi, Naturalist
Organization:
Environmental Learning
Center
Phone: 772-589-5050
Fax: 772-589-7723
Email:
Heather@DiscoverELC.org
Web Site:
www.DiscoverELC.org
Course Schedule
Day 1
(Tuesday, September 29, 2009)
6:00pm-9:00pm Intro: Welcome to
the FMNP Uplands Module,
Pre tests
Presentations: Ecology
Please note: this class will be one hour longer than
most.
Day 2 (Thursday,
October 1, 2009)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Presentations: Interpretation
Activity: Working with Interpretation
Day 3 (Tuesday,
October 6, 2009)
6:00pm-8:00pm Mixed
Hardwood field Trip, Outdoor
Presentations: Birds I& Birds II
Day 4 (Thursday,
October 8, 2009)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Video & Presentation: Pineland Communities
Day 5 (Saturday,
October 10, 2009)
10:00am-3:00pm Field
Trip: ST SEBASTIAN RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK
Though we often visit this site for its beautiful
freshwater wetlands, the preserve is
the largest upland property in public ownership in the
Indian River/South Brevard
County Region. This site preserves open grassy longleaf
pine forests that were once
commonplace throughout Florida. The pine flatwoods form
a backdrop for other
upland communities, including scrubby flatwoods and
Brevard County’s last
remaining undeveloped sandhill. These habitats are home
to over 50 protected
species. The areas we will be visiting demonstrate the
drastic ecosystem changes
due to the “Florida Inch.” Please dress appropriately,
wearing hat, closed toe shoes
and sunscreen. We will be doing some hiking and some
riding in service vehicles.
Bring a snack, plenty of water and your lunch. We will
be outside all day.
Day 6 (Tuesday,
October 13, 2009)
6:00pm-8:00pm Guest
speaker: Jerry Loll
Presentation: Upland Herptiles
Day 7 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Presentations: Upland Invertebrates I & Upland Invertebrates II
Day 8 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Presentation: Mammals
Activity: Tracking, scat and skulls
Interpretations
Day 9 (Thursday,
October 22, 2009)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Video & Presentation: Scrub, Dry Prairie, Rangelands
Day 10 (Saturday, October 24, 2009)
10:00am-3:00pm Field Trip:
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
This research station is situated on 5000 acres of private property, and is
dedicated
to understanding the Lake Wales Ridge, one of the most distinctive
natural regions
in the United States. The Ridge is a sandy uplands at the
center of the Florida
peninsula. It is a series of relict dunes, reflecting
its origins 2 million years ago as a
shoreline feature during pre-
Pleistocene sea level rises. The ridge was isolated from
other parts of the
Florida peninsula during periods of sea level rise, and at times it
was an
archipelago. On the ancient shorelines and dunes, plants and animals found
nowhere else on earth evolved. Nineteen species of plants and five species
of
animals found here are protected by the federal government. Native xeric
uplands
are dominated by pines, shrubby oaks, and hickory.
Please dress
appropriately (hat, closed toe shoes and sunscreen). Bring a snack,
plenty
of water and lunch. We will be outside most of the day.
Day 11 (Tuesday, October 27, 2009)
6:00-8:00pm
Video & Presentation: Hardwood Forests
Interpretations
Day 12 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)
6:00-9:00pm
Video: Uplands in the Human Landscape
Activity: Issues Investigation
Please note: this class will be one hour longer than most.
NO CLASS NOVEMBER 3rd and 5th: Please use this time to work on final
projects.
Day 13 (Saturday, November 7, 2009)
9:00am– 11:00am Field Trip:
TURKEY CREEK SANCTUARY
This tiny, 130-acre preserve is located in the heart of Palm Bay and
protects a
variety of habitats along Turkey Creek, which trickles into
Indian River. Hardwood
hammock, sand pine scrub, and wet hardwood forest are
the main natural
communities. It is a great place to view alligators, fish,
and an occasional river
otter or manatee. Gopher tortoises and endangered
indigo snakes have made their
homes in the sandy soil of the sand pine
scrub. Rufous-sided towhees, blue jays,
cardinals, pileated woodpeckers,
raccoons, and gray squirrels are year-round
residents.
Please dress appropriately (hat, closed toe shoes that can get wet and
sunscreen). Bring a snack, plenty of water and lunch. We will be outside
most of
the day.
11:30am -1:30pm OPTIONAL EXTENSION
Guided Kayak Trip complements of
Tropical Kayak Tours (suggested donation $5)
Day 14 (Tuesday, November 10, 2009)
6:00-9:00pm
Post Tests and Final Presentations
Please note: this class will be one hour longer than most.
Day 15 (Thursday, November 11, 2009)
6:00-9:00pm
Final Presentations, Class Evaluations and GRADUATION!!!
Please note: this class will be one hour longer than most.
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