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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://miwarefuge.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Merritt Island Wildlife Association
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DTSTART:20240310T070000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250206T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250329T120000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213309
CREATED:20250129T211245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250225T214940Z
UID:614-1738836000-1743249600@miwarefuge.org
SUMMARY:Black Point Wildlife Drive Bus Tour
DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, Fridays and Saturdays\, Feb 6- Mar 29\, 2025\n  \n\n\nBlack Point Wildlife Drive Bus Tour\nCost: $10 per person ($5 for America The Beautiful passholders and Merritt Island Wildlife Association members)\nCheck-In: Arrive at 9:40am to check in and pay at the Merritt Island NWR Contact Station trailer (look for Pink Flamingo statues).\nBoarding the Bus: After checking in\, please drive to Parrish Park (across the street from the Contact Station) to park and board the bus.\nQuestions: Call our welcome center at 321-861-0669 (Tues to Sat from 8am to 4pm) \nPick a Date and Register Here \nHop aboard our Nature Bus Tour to take in the beauty of local wildlife from the comfort of your seat. Your Naturalist guide will share background about Merritt Island NWR while providing highlights about wildlife seen along the journey. The Refuge is home to many species of migratory birds along with year round residents that include freshwater frogs\, turtles\, alligators\, and armadillos. Every day is different\, and you never know what you might see on Black Point Wildlife Drive because ‘wild’ is literally in the name.\nLogistics: The bus will make a stop for a restroom break approximately 1.25 hours into the tour. Our bus has limited accessibility; unfortunately\, the bus is not equipped for wheelchairs\, however we have space for walkers and canes. The tour includes use of loaner binoculars and wildlife identification resource guides. \n\n\n 
URL:https://miwarefuge.org/event/black-point-wildlife-drive-bus-tour/
LOCATION:FL
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250301T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250301T123000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213309
CREATED:20250225T191655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250225T191655Z
UID:636-1740823200-1740832200@miwarefuge.org
SUMMARY:Delicate Details: Up Close and Personal With Insects
DESCRIPTION: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 in their natural habitat. No prior knowledge is needed\, making this a perfect opportunity for curious minds to gain insight into entomology. Attendees can construct their own pinning board or help with the education display being created for the Field Station. \nDesigned for ages 16 and older\, this event promises an immersive look at the tiny yet intricate creatures that shape our ecosystems. All supplies will be provided. The program will also include time for some special appreciation for the volunteers who conduct monthly bee and butterfly surveys at the native plant garden. \n Logistics: The parking area next to the garden enables attendees with mobility devices to participate. The classroom is accessible. A restroom is located onsite.  Pinning specimens will be provided by the instructor using insects who have ‘donated themselves to science’ (no live capture for pinning purposes is necessary by the participants). \nAbout the Instructors: \nRobin P. Marquez (he/him/his) \nRobin Marquez is an entomologist and insect ecologist with the University of Central Florida specializing in Hymenoptera (bees\, wasps\, ants\, and sawflies). In addition to serving as Assistant Curator of the university’s Collection of Arthropods\, he studies the biodiversity and ecology of micro-parasitoid wasps. He has received additional entomology training from the National Museum of Natural History\, Smithsonian Institution and has conducted research in a variety of habitats including tropical\, agricultural\, and suburban landscapes. Through his work\, Robin has seen hobbyist entomology used as a tool to advance real-world science\, and is eager to support new insect enthusiasts in their collection journeys! \nEmily Surmont (she/her/hers) \nEmily Surmont is a coastal ecologist with the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves\, where she has worked for the last 5 years on a variety of research\, conservation\, restoration\, and outreach projects. She received her BS in Environmental Science from Broward College and is currently working towards her MS in Fisheries and Aquatic Science at the University of Florida in the Coastal Ecosystems and Watersheds Lab. Emily is a Pollinator Partnership Certified Pollinator Steward and has been leading the FDEP Titusville Native Plant Pollinator Garden project since September 2021\, recently expanding the project to encourage pollinator monitoring collaboration throughout the IRL.
URL:https://miwarefuge.org/event/delicate-details-up-close-and-personal-with-insects/
LOCATION:IRLAP Titusville Field Station\, 5332 Riveredge Drive\, Titusville\, FL\, 32780\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250302T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250302T110000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213309
CREATED:20250225T192010Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250225T192010Z
UID:645-1740906000-1740913200@miwarefuge.org
SUMMARY:Beginning Birdwatching For Adults
DESCRIPTION: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. \nYou might have taken the next step and picked up a bird guide book or went to the internet for some help. \nYou quickly realized there are 800 avian species that are regularly recorded each year in North America and probably wondered – how do I make sense of this? It’s impossible!  Yet people do it every day.  We are offering to help. \nThis workshop will include both classroom and outdoor opportunities to hone your skills. You will be introduced to tools that will help you to whittle down the possibilities and that will get you to the right id:  “I know what that is!” \nThe class content and format is recommended for adults and children ages 16 and over\, accompanied by an adult. \nTopics Covered: \n\nWhy should I want to know how to identify birds? (Find out what you are missing)\nThe Basics of Bird Identification (Preparation and concentration)\nThe importance of time and place\nThe Power of Quiet Observation and Listening\nBinoculars and other optics (How to choose and how to use)\n21st Century BirdingTools (There’s an app for that)\n\nMeet at the Classroom Address: 4490 Grand Ave. DeLeon Springs FL 32130 \n Nature Center: Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge\, 2045 Mud Lake Road\, DeLeon Spring\, FL 32130
URL:https://miwarefuge.org/event/beginning-birdwatching-for-adults/
LOCATION:Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge Classroom\, 4490 Grand Ave\, DeLeon Springs\, FL\, 32130\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250315T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250315T210000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213309
CREATED:20241102T190829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241218T175018Z
UID:570-1742054400-1742072400@miwarefuge.org
SUMMARY:Dine to Donate: Village Inn\, Titusville
DESCRIPTION: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 or order takeout\, your support will make a positive impact. Gather your friends and family for a night of fun and philanthropy! \nDine to Donate\nNEW DATE:  Saturday March 15\, 2025\nDine In or Get Takeaway\nAnytime Between 4p to 9pm\nVillage Inn\n2925 S Washington Ave\nTitusville\, FL 32780
URL:https://miwarefuge.org/event/dine-to-donate-village-inn-titusville-8/
LOCATION:Village Inn Titusville\, 2925 S Washington Ave\, Titusville\, FL\, 32780\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250323T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250323T123000
DTSTAMP:20260513T213309
CREATED:20250225T192941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250225T192941Z
UID:651-1742724000-1742733000@miwarefuge.org
SUMMARY:eBird Tips and Tricks: Maximizing Your Use of the World’s Largest Citizen Science Database
DESCRIPTION: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 on demystifying the eBird review process and learning best practices for documenting your sightings so that you can become a more skilled and intentional (e)birder in the field. Whether you’re a veteran eBird user or completely new to the program\, this session is designed so that everybody will take away valuable lessons they can apply to increase the value of your contribution to community science. \nAbout the Presenter: Will Johnson serves as the regional eBird reviewer for Brevard\, Volusia\, and Indian River counties and contributes to local environmental organizations as a frequent guest speaker and tour leader. A lifelong resident and avid birder of east-central Florida\, Will has developed a thorough expertise of local birdlife and is particularly knowledgeable about this area’s migration patterns\, vagrancy trends\, and biogeography. In addition to spending extensive time in the field\, Will enjoys expressing his love of birds through art and illustration and has had his artwork featured in multiple local and national publications. Will recently graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover\, NH with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies\, and he currently works remotely from Vero Beach\, FL for a climate tech startup supporting nature-based carbon removal projects.
URL:https://miwarefuge.org/event/ebird-tips-and-tricks-maximizing-your-use-of-the-worlds-largest-citizen-science-database/
LOCATION:Sams House\, Pine Island\, 6195 N. Tropical Trail\, Merritt Island\, FL\, 32953\, United States
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