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An Amazing Look at CREW Through Animals’ Eyes

This morning at the CREW Marsh Trails, twelve curious adults gathered around FGCU animal behavior professor Charles (billY) Gunnels as he spoke about animal behavior from the perspective of the animals at CREW. billY led a scholarly Strolling Science Seminar that wove together observations, evolution, epigenetics, and the ethics of scientific research. It was fascinating and engaging stuff  and gave everyone a reason to think deeper and look differently at the world around us. One participant was overheard saying, “This is the best guided hike I’ve ever been on!” One of our goals for this series is to provide engaging, in-depth, scholarly hikes that feed your mind and get you excited. We hope we hit the mark! Thanks to all who came out and participated. Thanks to billY for doing a fabulous job – as always – of teaching and inspiring us to learn more. Take a look below at some images from the day…

The next CREW Strolling Science Seminar is “The Fantastic World of Insects” with master teacher and NC State Alumni Distinguished Professor, Dr. Clyde Sorenson, on March 2nd. To sign up, go here.

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Animal Behavior Strolling Science Seminar Resources

CREW Through Animals’ Eyes – Animal Behavior Resources (February 4, 2012 Seminar)

Invertebrates:

Mammals:

Birds:

Invasive Species:

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Star-gazing and Storytelling Out of this World

Friday night, January 20th, 50 brave souls made their way down the long, dark, winding CREW driveway to listen to stories, view the stars, and learn about sky objects. AstronomyGal, Linda Jacobson, shared some astronomical history and lore and then helped people view the stars through her 8″ telescope while her husband, Jim, pointed the 10″ telescope to the Andromeda galaxy. Roger Grossenbacher pointed out constellations, the Orion nebulae, and told the Native America story of how stars came to be, while Meg Sapp pointed out major constellations and the Milky Way galaxy with her laser pointer.

It all started with Collier County school teacher, Holly Hamliton, reading space and star books to the kids as they munched on star-shaped cookies! The weather was perfect, the skies were clear, and the learning was out of this world!

Thank you to all our volunteers – Jenny, Ebby, Meg, Alex, Trevor, Nico, Rick, Klaus, Linda, Roger, and Jim – for helping out and to all those who attended for making it a great event!

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CREW Members Social a fun event

On Tuesday, January 10th, 2012, under a gorgeous starry sky, about 60 CREW Trust members and volunteers gathered at the marsh trails for a special wine & cheese social. This was our way of saying “Thank You!” to the people who support CREW financially and by giving their time and talent to CREW.

Our regular volunteers were recognized and given gifts. CREW Chairman of the Board, Bill Hammond, shared his thoughts and thanked everyone for supporting CREW over the years. CREW Trustees mingled with members and volunteers, sharing stories and enjoying the evening under the stars.


Photos by Nico and Maco Touchet and Deb Hanson…

Thank you to Dick Anderson and SWFCEE (Southwest Florida Council for Environment Education) for sponsoring the event and to Keith Hanson for planning and putting the event together for us. It was a fabulous evening!

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New Marsh Trail Hikes added to CREW schedule

Due to popular demand, we have added three more guided hikes led by our fabulous volunteer Master Naturalist, Dr. David Cooper. These hikes are general natural history and interpretive hikes that stroll approximately 3 miles through pine flatwoods, oak hammock, popash slough and sawgrass marsh. Hikes run from 9 AM to noon.

In addition to his usual 3rd Tuesday hikes, the new hike dates are:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Saturday March 17, 2012
and Saturday, April 21, 2012.

To register, click here: Register for More Guided Hikes @CREW Marsh on Eventbrite

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Fire Ecology Strolling Science Seminar Resources

Fire Ecology for Land & Species Management Resources ( for January 6, 2012 Seminar)

Some articles and other resources for further study of wildfire and prescribed burning:

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CREW in Bonita & Estero Magazine

The CREW watershed is the subject of the cover article in this month’s Bonita & Estero magazine: “Back to Nature: Hiking the Watershed”. The article tells the story of Bird Rookery Swamp.

This issue also features on its cover a photo of a green tree frog taken at CREW by Kennedy Hanson, long-time CREW volunteer. Check it out at your local bookstore or news stand.

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New Bird Rookery Guided Hikes Scheduled

Photo by Kathy Broyard

Do you want to hike the Bird Rookery Swamp trails with an expert naturalist and storyteller? Here’s your chance to learn all about the cultural and natural history of Bird Rookery Swamp. See bobcat and bear sign, find birds and butterflies, enjoy gorgeous scenery, and hike among the beautiful cypress and maple trees.

CREW volunteer, George Luther, will be leading hikes on most Wednesday mornings, January through March 2012 from 9:00 AM to noon. George’s sense of humor, extraordinary knowledge and outdoor skills will have you coming back for more.

Dates for the hikes are: January 4, 11, and 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29; March 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Space is limited. Register today! To register for a guided Wednesday Hike at Bird Rookery Swamp, go to http://crewbrshike.eventbrite.com or click here

Register for Guided Hike @ Bird Rookery Swamp in Naples, FL on Eventbrite