Join us for our Florida Black Bear program offering an engaging, hands-on learning experience where participants can explore artifacts such as pelts and skulls while discovering the vital role these animals play in Florida’s ecosystems. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to coexist safely with bears, including strategies to prevent conflicts in neighborhoods, campsites,...

FLORIDA’S SNAKES: CORALS & COACHWHIPS, INDIGOS & SCARLETS, PIT VIPERS & PYTHONS Florida is famous for its diversity of reptiles, and since the 1980s John Serrao has been photographing and documenting them, from the panhandle’s ravines to the central scrub and highland ridge to the Everglades. This presentation features more than 35 of Florida’s snakes,...

The Merritt Island Wildlife Association is very thankful for our amazing partnership with Village Inn and their generous Dine to Donate fundraisers.  Step away from your Thanksgiving prep and join us for a delicious meal on Tuesday November 25.  And be sure to pick-up a few tasty pies to impress your holiday guests.  All purchases...

The Fish and Wildlife Service holds a Trash Bash clean-up for the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge every second Saturday, October through April.  Please join MINWR staff and volunteers for the December Trash Bash.  Check-in will begin at West Gator Creek Kiosk located at the entrance of the Refuge when crossing over Max Brewer Memorial...

Mysteries of Mycology Walk Join us for a guided exploration into the fascinating world of wild mushrooms! This field-based program invites participants to discover the diversity of fungi found in natural habitats and learn how to identify them through their unique features, forms, and ecological roles. Led by the founder of the Florida Mycological Society,...

’Tis the Season! Nature Journaling for Adults As we prepare for the upcoming arrival of winter, we invite you to join us for a program where we will practice nature journaling skills that can help us explore “phenology”—the changing of the seasons. In this beginner-friendly lesson, participants will learn some fun facts about Florida phenology,...

Thanks to all who have supported MIWA through visits, meals and takeaway at Village Inn.  Village Inn gives 10% back to MIWA for all purchases made from 4-9pm on December 16, our final night for 2025.  If you can't make it in for a meal, order takeaway and enjoy at home; every little bit helps!

Join us for Holiday Art with Heart for a hands-on painting session where participants will apply color and creativity to hand-carved bird and butterfly balsa-wood ornaments. Each guest will paint beautifully handcrafted ornaments designed by a Women of the Cloud Forest fair-trade artisan. Painting kits are just $10 each and available in limited quantities. During...

Join us for a festive evening of after-hours holiday shopping at our Nature’s Treasures Gift Shop on December 18, 2025, from 4:00–6:30 PM. We’re keeping the doors open late so you can browse our nature-inspired gifts, puzzles, books, and wildlife-themed treasures at your leisure—perfect for finding something special while supporting conservation. The night will feature...

Discover the thrill of archery in this open, beginner-friendly session—no experience required! Participants will learn the basics and take their first shots using equipment we provide. Whether you’ve never held a bow or are just curious to see what you can do, come give it a go and let your inner archer take aim at...

Discover the thrill of archery in this open, beginner-friendly session—no experience required! Participants will learn the basics and take their first shots using equipment we provide. Whether you’ve never held a bow or are just curious to see what you can do, come give it a go and let your inner archer take aim at...

Please join us for a private eco-buggy tour of the breathtaking habitats including pine flatwoods, wetlands, and oak hammocks at D. Ranch Preserve. Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, Conservation Florida purchased this 476-acre preserve to permanently protect its diverse landscapes and native wildlife.  D Ranch Preserve is now open with 3.5...