Rookery Bay Hosts Open House

Take a short drive over the Jolley Bridge heading north and you will find a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in an entirely new world. Although this is the world surrounding us, we sometimes take it for granted.

Forty percent of Collier County consists of shoreline. Right here in our backyard is a 110,000-acre living estuary, known as the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. 

In 1978, the Rookery Bay Reserve was the third such Reserve established in the United States. Now there are 30 such Reserves throughout the United States. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System spans across the U.S. The systems consist of locations along the U.S. coastline where fresh water from the land mixes with saltwater from the sea.

In 1972, the Coastal Zone Management Act was passed, recognizing the importance of maintaining the coastal environment. This involves a delicate balance of various demands, such as recreational desires, commercial pressures and the effects of industrial uses and potential mismanagement.

The Reserves were established under the Coastal Zone Management Act and are in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the coastal states. NOAA and the U.S. Dept. of Commerce assist with funding and grants to the states that meet the criteria, in addition to state funding and corporate grants.

As you walk through the Rookery Bay Reserve Education Center and its various educational displays and presentations, it is clear that there is much to learn about our environment.

In addition to the displays and exhibits, there are tours offered on the water by staff and volunteers who work hard to provide this great educational experience to the public. Visitors participating in the water tours enjoy the opportunity to immerse themselves into Rookery Bay’s pristine natural environment. 

Internships at Rookery Bay also provide educational opportunities. Interns Sara Casareto and Chris Zikmaris are Florida International University (FIU) students working towards their PhDs while learning about the habits of sharks within estuary waters. 

The Rookery Bay Reserve is one of Collier County’s hidden gems. It is a spectacular asset just miles away from Marco Island. Tours are available through the Shell Isle location, located off Collier Boulevard, south of the Tower Road location.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve is located at 300 Tower Road in Naples and can be reached at 239-530-5940. Learn more by visiting the Rookery Bay website at www.rookerybay.org and explore a new world of opportunities.