Friends of Rookery Bay

Friends of Rookery Bay Learn more at rookerybay.org. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
300 Tower Road, Naples, Florida
Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center to enjoy aquariums, a touch tank, natural history exhibits, walking trails, an art gallery, gift shop, and to book boat and kayak eco-tours. Adults: $10
Children 6-12: $5
Children

06/05/2026

📚✨ It’s here!

Our Little Free Library is now installed at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center!

Whether you’re looking for your next great read or have a book you’d like to share, stop by and take part in this community treasure. Leave a book, take a book, and help us spread the joy of reading one story at a time. ❤️

Stay tuned for more updates as we put on the finishing touches!

06/04/2026

Donate -
https://givebutter.com/save-the-bay-2026-ds0gxu

In 1963, a 10-mile road dubbed the “Road to Nowhere”
was proposed through Rookery Bay. If built, it would
have devastated Southwest Florida’s coastal
ecosystems. But this community stepped up. Local
residents rallied together and raised over $600,000 to
protect 3,362 acres of land—laying the foundation for
what is now the Rookery Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve.

Now, it’s our turn. We’re launching a grassroots
campaign to Save the Bay, and we need your help. In
honor of the 63 years since that first community-led
effort, Friends of Rookery Bay is working to raise $63,
000 by June 30, 2026 to support vital conservation,
research, and education programs. Just like the local
students who once collected spare change to protect
this place, you can make a difference today.

Set your own fundraising goal, Share your personal link
with friends and family, Help protect Rookery Bay for
generations to come, it’s as simple as that!

06/03/2026

Sneak Peek Tour with on Community Day!

New visitors have officially discovered Rookery Bay’s new bird garden. The water feature has already welcomed Barred owl...
06/02/2026

New visitors have officially discovered Rookery Bay’s new bird garden. The water feature has already welcomed Barred owls, Red-shouldered hawks, Pileated woodpeckers, raccoons, coyote and plenty of grackles.

Created by Rookery Bay Avian Specialist Derek Salge with funding through a grant from the Naples Garden Club, this new space was designed to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife while giving visitors a peaceful place to connect with nature.

The wildlife wasted no time finding it.

06/01/2026

☀️ Summer just got a little cooler! ☀️

Fresh new shirt designs have arrived, your favorite classics are back, and our Summer Sale is happening now online only! 🌴👕✨

Whether you’re looking for something new or grabbing an old favorite, we’ve got the perfect tee, tank or hat waiting for you.

🛍️ Shop online now and bring a little Rookery Bay style wherever your adventures take you.

👀 Sharp-eyed followers may notice a misprint on one of our shirts! We’ve already fixed the design, but we still have a few of the misprinted versions available.

✨ Misprint Sale: 50% OFF these one-of-a-kind shirts while they last. The corrected version is on the way!

Song: edamame instrumental



𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦.

Although the Emerald Bee is native to Central America, this shiny green insect has become a common visitor of Central an...
05/31/2026

Although the Emerald Bee is native to Central America, this shiny green insect has become a common visitor of Central and South Florida gardens. They were likely first introduced to Florida in 2003 when they were accidentally imported in shipping pallets and never left.

Their tongues are so long that even other species of bees can't pollinate the same types of flowers that Emerald Bees can. Another plus is that they are solitary critters, so they don't build large, aggressive hives... the males don't have a stinger at all! ardens thrive.

While many of Florida's non-native species cause a great deal of harm to the environment, Emerald Bees are actually excellent insects to keep nearby. They are harmless, non-invasive, and act as incredibly effecient pollinators, helping the most beautiful of gardens thrive.

Their tongues are so long, that even other species of bees can't pollinate the same types of flowers that Emerald Bees can. Another plus is that they are solitary critters, so they don't build large, aggressive hives... the males don't have a stinger at all!

✨Intern Spotlight✨Join us in welcoming two more summer interns to Rookery Bay! ☀️Sophie graduated from Naples High and i...
05/30/2026

✨Intern Spotlight✨

Join us in welcoming two more summer interns to Rookery Bay! ☀️

Sophie graduated from Naples High and is currently a Junior at FSU, studying Political Science and Criminology. Fun fact: she was a SIMS summer camper and fondly remembers riding bikes on Shell Island Road! 🚴‍♀️

Brianna is a senior at FGCU, graduating in August. She is majoring in Marine Science and is a Water School Ambassador. 🌊

You'll be able to find them both educating guests at the Environmental Learning Center all summer long! 🕶

Rookery Bay scientists shared important long-term environmental research at the 2026 Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Ter...
05/29/2026

Rookery Bay scientists shared important long-term environmental research at the 2026 Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research Network All Scientists’ Meeting in Miami.

Research Coordinator Dr. Nerea Ubierna and Environmental Specialist Celina Ceballos presented with collaborator Randall Parkinson from Florida International University on NOAA’s Wetlands and Water Levels program at Rookery Bay Research Reserve.

This research helps build long-term datasets used to understand landscape changes over decades and support decisions that improve habitat resilience and ecosystem health.

Become a Florida Master Naturalist this summer with Rookery Bay and expert partners! Registration is now open for the Fl...
05/28/2026

Become a Florida Master Naturalist this summer with Rookery Bay and expert partners! Registration is now open for the Florida Master Naturalist Program Coastal Systems Module. It is offered in a flexible hybrid format which combines online learning with optional hands-on field experiences.

You’ll explore Florida’s marine mammals; birds and wildlife; reptiles and amphibians; coastal invertebrates, native plants and upland habitats; coastal habitats and more! You’ll learn from experienced biologists and natural resource professionals to gain a better understanding of Florida’s incredible coastal environments.

Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 18 – September 17 (online)
Optional in-person field experience: August 21

This course fills quickly, so don’t wait to register!
Register here:
https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs26-11hybrid.php

Tag someone who would love to become a Florida Master Naturalist!

05/27/2026

Throwback to one of our favorite days of the year: Community Day. 🌿

We hope you laughed as much as we did making this video! 🤣

And let's all give a round of applause to Janet for taking one for the team! 👏

Address

300 Tower Road
Naples, FL
34113

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+12395305972

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