Are you wild about wildlife, or just want to know more? Either way, come join the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at the Chinsegut Nature Center’s annual Birding and Wildlife Festival April 29 and 30. It’s fun, and it’s geared for the entire family.
We have to develop breakthrough approaches for understanding and overcoming the barriers to youth participation in traditional outdoor activities, then create destinations that are magnets for our young people. In other words, make them want to go outside. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has designed a program, the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCC) that will do that.
Approximately 60 fourth-graders from Pine Jog Elementary School in Palm Beach County will have an adventure they won’t soon forget. Just like Charlie Pierce, the fictional children’s books character, the kids will explore the South Florida outdoors, getting close to the area’s fish and wildlife, canoeing, hiking and learning how to shoot a bow and arrow, among other activities.
On Saturday, April 30, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) will open its doors to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for MarineQuest 2011. Visitors can explore the world of science at FWRI headquarters, at 100 8th Ave. S.E., in downtown St. Petersburg.
The 17th annual MarineQuest is a free event that allows visitors of all ages to experience science firsthand with more than 60 exhibits. Visitors can check out live animals in touch tanks, interact with some of Florida’s top scientists and learn about current fish and wildlife research in Florida. Special activities for children include wildlife origami, face painting and the Japanese art of “gyotaku” – fish printing.
The Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), and scores of dedicate partners are undertaking one of the most ambitious—and important—projects we have ever undertaken, The Florida Youth Conservation Center Network (FYCC). We are proud to be spearheading the fundraising efforts for this crucial public/private partnership designed to reconnect Florida’s youth with nature and traditional outdoor activities.
After more than a year of research and partnership development, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) voted to launch the next phase of the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network. Once complete, the Network will provide facilities where Florida children can gain experiences that help develop conservation values and ethics and learn traditional outdoor activities.
The Commission has received more than 60 responses to its outreach for partners. The goal is to provide children across Florida with opportunities to learn the values and skills associated with fish and wildlife conservation, and introduce lifelong activities such as hunting, fishing, bird-watching and marksmanship, with an emphasis on safety and ethics.
