‘Delicate Balance of Nature’ Learning Series Underscores Outdoor Keys Recreation
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — A hallmark lecture series exploring the Florida Keys’ history, archaeology and fragile environment has attracted residents and visitors to Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for 22 years. Sponsored by Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Park, the free-admission “Delicate Balance of Nature” talks are presented by field experts in aquaculture, marine and geological sciences, ornithology, ecology and biology.
The 2013 slate of informative one-hour talks kicks off Jan. 9 and continues on Wednesday evenings through March 27. Lectures are held at 7:30 p.m. inside the park’s visitor center at mile marker 102.5 oceanside.
January topics include a comparison of the marine habitats of the Galapagos Islands and the Keys presented by Dr. Jack Grove, a marine biologist and author who introduced this intriguing congruous relationship to “Delicate Balance of Nature” attendees 10 years ago.
Professional Keys-based photographers Tom and Therisa Stack are to share shooting tips as well as techniques to become a better photographer during a talk scheduled Jan. 30.
February features presentations on the sustainability of the Florida Keys, the history of medicinal plants and their uses as well as the geology and evolution of Keys’ coral reefs since the ice ages.
March presentations highlight the cultural richness and species diversity of the Keys’ 10 state parks, with a fun and interactive fish identification class as the final presentation March 27 with Reef Environmental Education Foundation that also shares how to volunteer for a reef survey project.
Park gates open at 7 p.m. for all lectures. Visitors are urged to arrive on time to assure seating in the wheelchair-accessible auditorium. Attendees can bring a cushion for added comfort.
Click here for a PDF of the schedule of talks: http://floridastateparks.org/keylargohammock/doc/additionalinformation/djk-2013_agenda_-_lecture_series.pdf
Lecture series information:http://www.floridastateparks.org/pennekamp/events.cfm?viewevent=7506#7506 or 305-451-9570
