EDUCATION

Environmental Education

Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges are located in Levy and Dixie counties, Florida. Through the years, refuge staff have developed an outstanding relationship with educators and community leaders in both counties. We recognize that this is a unique area in Florida, in that it maintains much of its rural and natural character. However, progress threatens to change this area forever. It is through environmental education that we hope to instill an appreciation for the rural and natural character of this area so that today's youth might become advocates for the environment.

Environmental education opportunities include teaching in the local schools, hosting school and scout troops on refuge field days, presenting thematic programming at special day camps, and interactive activities at festival booths. The refuges have developed a popular Environmental Education Guide to the Refuges, which highlights wetland, upland, and avian communitites on the refuges. Other programs include alligator, sea turtle, bald eagle, ecology, track casting, and others. The refuges have reference guides, slides, supplies, and materials to help implement these programs.