Thursday, April 26, 2012 - Oxbow Eco-Center Celebrates The Nature Of Moms This May

Moms of all ages will be welcomed to explore the Oxbow Eco-Center with their beloved family members for the whole month of May. The Center will be showcasing nature’s moms and their different mothering techniques. Visit the Center Tuesday through Friday from noon - 5 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The trails are open daily from dawn until dusk.

Programs planned for the month of May include:

• Here’s your last chance of the season to enjoy a guided hike through the wilds of the Oxbow and be enriched by the biodiversity this preserve has to offer as the staff wraps up its guided hikes on Saturday, May 5 and May 12 at 9 a.m. No reservations are required for these free hikes - just show up at 9 a.m. ready to walk.
• Home School Day at the Oxbow takes place Thursday, May 3 with “Adaptive Animals.” Have you ever wondered why snakes like to stick out their forked tongues or why birds have such different shaped beaks and colored feathers? These questions and more will be featured at this educational hands-on program. The cost is $3 per student and the event runs from 10 a.m. – noon for grades kindergarten through 4th and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for grades 5th through 12th. Reservations are a must: 772-785-5833 or oxbow@stlucieco.org.
• The St. Lucie Audubon Society presents “Alternatives to Long-line Fishing in the Gulf” on Thursday, May 3 at 7 p.m. The Gulf of Mexico provides important habitat for rare and beautiful marine species including the Atlantic bluefin tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and sharks. But even before the oil disaster, Gulf species faced a significant threat from surface long-line fishing gear. These 30-mile long lines, with hundreds of baited hooks, indiscriminately catch and kill approximately 80 types of animals, including endangered sea turtles, game fish, and depleted Atlantic bluefin tuna. Ironically, the oil spill could provide a real solution to the problem. Learn how by joining Cameron Jaggard with the Pew Environmental Group, as he discusses the problems and potential solutions to long-line fishing. This is a free lecture and is open to the public.
• Middle school students are invited to join the Oxbow on this early release day for an afternoon of great hand-on activities as staff presents the Young Professional Workshop: “Archaeology” on Friday, May 4 from 2 – 4 p.m. Participants will get a chance to work with an archaeologist from Florida Public Archaeology Network as they “dig into” the exciting world of forensic archaeology. Appropriate for grades 5-8. Reservations are a must and the cost is $5 per participant.
• Don’t miss the Oxbow’s Brown Bag Lecture on Saturday, May 5 at noon with Master Naturalist Amanda Thompson as she discusses nature’s working moms at this free lunchtime lecture. From cleaning up her children’s mess, to giving piggy-back rides, to the preparation of the evening meal, being a working mom can be really tough but rewarding. Reservations are not required.
• The Oxbow's Swamp Tales returns on Thursday, May 10 from 3:45 - 4:15 p.m. This free storytime is appropriate for ages 3 - 6. Join us for a “novel” adventure with Miss Kitty as she reads an environmentally-themed story.
• The Oxbow's Nature for Families presents "Animal Moms - The Good, the Bad and the Forgetful” on Saturday, May 12 starting at 10:30 a.m. Discover some of nature’s unique moms as we look at mothering techniques from the caring embrace of the wolf spider to the forgetfulness of the box turtle. Participants will try their hand at the “Momma Hispid Cotton Rat” race and make a unique reusable gift for mom. Appropriate for ages 6 and older. The cost is $4 per participant. Space is limited, so reservations are required: 772-785-5833 or oxbow@stlucieco.org.
• Oxbow and the Natives presents “How the Opossum Raises her Young” on Thursday, May 17 at 3:45 p.m. Opossums are great mothers. As North America’s only marsupial, they carry their offspring in an abdominal pouch. Learn about their amazing natural history. This is a free program appropriate for ages 5 and older.
• Children will get a chance to make cards for Mom at the Oxbow’s Treehouse Time happening Friday, May 18 at 9:30 a.m. Each child will create a natural card, then they will have fun singing and dancing with their moms and sharing some of their favorite mommy stories. This program is energetic, free and fun for ages 3 - 5 with an adult.
• The Treasure Coast Art Association teams up with the Oxbow staff to present “Zentangles in Color” Art Class on Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. – noon for adults (ages 16 and older) and from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for youth (ages 8-15). This program explores the art of Zentangling, which is a free-drawing art described as “doodling with patterns.” Use nature’s own designs to get inspired! The cost is $20 per participant, including all supplies. Reservations are required: 772-785-5833 or oxbow@stlucieco.org.

Situated on a 225-acre preserve on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, the Oxbow offers a rare glimpse of "the real Florida" with nature trails, boardwalks, observation towers and an interactive environmental learning center.

The Oxbow Eco-Center is located at 5400 NE St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie (across from the Publix Shopping Center). For more information call the staff at 772-785-5833 or visit www.oxboweco.com.