Events

Gopher Tortoise Education Day! Lake Woodruff NWR, DeLeon Springs, FL Calling all nature explorers! Join us for a fun-filled day of adventure and discovery as we learn all about Gopher Tortoises! Take part in an exciting scavenger hunt, enjoy guided hikes through the Refuge, and uncover the secrets of these fascinating reptiles and their underground burrows....

Join us to explore the fascinating world of insects through hands-on experiences. This engaging event features two components: an insect pinning workshop, where nature enthusiasts will learn the art and science behind preparing specimens for scientific collections, and a live insect bioblitz in a native plant garden. Participants will observe and document local insect species...

It’s winter in Florida. Everywhere you look there are birds. Sandpipers on the beach, herons along the river, mockingbirds in the yard. Have you ever noticed a bird that has taken you by surprise? Have you ever wondered what that bird is? If you have, then you are a bird watcher. You might have taken...

Gather some friends for dinner, pickup a take home meal or enjoy a delicious piece of pie. On Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 4pm to 9pm, Village Inn Titusville is generously donating a portion of their sales to Merritt Island Wildlife Association. Enjoy a fantastic meal while supporting a great cause. Whether you dine in...

Join Will Johnson, regional eBird reviewer for Brevard, Volusia, and Indian River counties, for an interactive and wide-ranging discussion on how to make the most of eBird for reporting and tracking your bird observations, exploring the bird life in your area, and contributing to impactful citizen science. In this session we will place particular emphasis...

Join us for an engaging and interactive Warbler Identification Workshop, where we’ll focus on the warblers you’re most likely to encounter during Florida’s spring migration. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, this workshop will help sharpen your birding skills and improve your ability to identify these colorful, fast-moving songbirds. Led by professional...

Annual Journey of the Swallow-tailed Kite:  Breeding Requirements, Migration Route, and Winter Destinations Learn about Avian Research and Conservation Institute’s (ARCI) latest research on Swallow-tailed Kites.  Find out what kites look for in a breeding territory, how they are one of North America’s most social raptors, and the challenges they face throughout the year as...

Brian Polk, former manager of De Leon Springs State Park, recently published a local history book titled, Lost in History—The Mayaca—Native People of West Volusia County, Florida.  The Mayaca lived exclusively in West Volusia County for over 2,000 years.  Their culture extended along the St. Johns River from the south side of Lake George to...

Join the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for an Earth Day Scavenger Hunt on the Refuge.  Bring your friends and prepare to solve puzzles and learn more about our habitats and their species.  Puzzles can be picked up at the temporary contact station located at the entrance to West Gator Creek Road.

Celebrate Earth Day with fellow nature enthusiasts during our Dine to Donate Fundraiser. Dine in, pick up takeaway, or buy a pie to go. Village Inn will donate 10% of sales between 4pm to 9pm.

Join the volunteers and staff at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for an Arbor Day Celebration at the Temporary Contact Station, located at West Gator Creek Road.  We will learn about trees and the importance they play in Earth's ecosystems through interactive education tables and games.