Join a sea otter trainer and get up-close to these charismatic otters while going behind the scenes of our award-winning Russia's Grizzly Coast exhibit. You will learn each of our otter's stories and get a behind the scenes tour of the sea otter building from the toy room to the kitchen. A highlight of this experience is your opportunity to feed an otter a special treat and get a few photos of you in action. During this behind-the-scenes tour, you will also get to tap into your creative side as you help the trainers set up a play session for the otters. Time: 12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Additional dates: April 12, 2026; May 29, 2026; June 12, 2026; July 17, 2026; August 7, 2026. Ages: Minimum 8+ years old; participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Maximum of 4 participants, smaller groups may be combined. Registration closes on the Friday a week before each program date at noon.

Oddities and disappearing acts! Today will be full of unique animals and species that deserve a watchful eye. We will highlight how endemic species can be dramatically impacted by single events, conservation efforts for critically endangered animals, and the magic of caring!

Outdoor event featuring thousands of butterfly garden plants, tours of gardens, games, activities, monarch butterflies, caterpillars, and educational opportunities. Online plant ordering will be available in April with pickup options on May 6, 7, and 9. Event supports monarch and pollinator conservation through educational, conservation, and research programs.

In this seminar, we look at the staggering biodiversity of the pine forest floor, which can host up to 40 different plant species in a single square meter. We will discover a world where carnivorous Venus Flytraps and Pitcher Plants hunt insects beneath the towering pines, and where rare orchids bloom in the wake of fire. You will learn how this specific ecosystem supports specialists found nowhere else on Earth, from the Red-cockaded Woodpecker to the Gopher Frog, and why the restoration of the Longleaf Pine is the key to preserving the incredible "hidden" world that lives in its shadow. Audience Target: All Ages, Parental supervision required for children under 10. No refunds for participant cancellations, reschedules, or missed attendance.

A one-week residential pre-college program for high school students (grades 11-12) focused on shark and ray research. Students will participate in labs and lectures presented by research scientists, handle preserved specimens while identifying their key characteristics, and collect and examine local shark and ray species from the shoreline and aboard Eckerd College vessels. Program includes field trips to see sharks and rays in their natural environment and learn about elasmobranch science including their unique characteristics, diversity, and ecological interactions. Students must be able to pass a swim test (150 yards total, three full pool lengths).

This pre-college program gives high school students the chance to explore coastal and wildlife management, green infrastructure, environmental communication, and field research. Modeled on one of our top majors, it offers hands-on field research with expert faculty, our campus facilities, and the natural wonders of Tampa Bay. Students should come prepared to get wet and work hard each day as they participate in indoor and outdoor activities. Students enrolled in this program will: Participate in data collection for field research, Kayak along barrier islands and through mangrove forests, Interact with Florida's native flora & fauna, Learn how to communicate about environmental science and research, Explore local aquariums to better understand how we can work together to protect coastal and marine wildlife, Take part in coastal resiliency projects and initiatives on campus. Students must be able to pass the swim test, three full laps for a total of 150 yards, without touching the bottom of the pool, using any style and with no time limit.

Intensive field course for motivated high school students to earn university credit at Missouri S&T. Set at the beautiful Ozark Research Field Station, students will explore local ecosystems, water quality, wildlife conservation, sustainability challenges, and the impact of human activity on the environment. This experience-driven course emphasizes hands-on investigations including collecting samples, using professional field tools, analyzing environmental data, and participating in ongoing research projects. Course credit available for Introduction to Environmental Science (ENV SCI 1173) for additional $480 fee. Activities include ecosystem exploration hikes, water quality monitoring, biodiversity surveys, soil sampling, wildlife conservation projects, sustainability studies, field tool training, research design, and evening discussions with scientists.

SOLD OUT! Annual 5K run at the North Carolina Zoo inviting participants to embrace the scenic beauty while making a personal impact on wildlife conservation. Registration fees directly support regional conservation efforts for North Carolina native salamanders. Registration was scheduled to open at 7 a.m. on February 1st.

The Christmas Bird Count, organized by the Audubon Society, is a North American citizen science survey that runs from December 14th through January 5th each year. Information gathered during these counts helps us to better understand the health and status of bird populations. Each year, Blue Ridge Discovery Center heads up to the New River CBC, centered around Sparta, NC. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate! This event is free to all and we'll make a full day of it. Additional information will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.