Part-time Education Associate Position

EDUCATION ASSOCIATE (1 position available)
Date Closed: 11/30/2009
$12.83/hr. (min) –$19.25/hr. (max)
Part-time: 30 hours/week
Imaginarium Hands-On Museum & Aquarium (1860)

The Imaginarium is seeking an animal and aquaria specialist who can also act as a creative educator to work with visitors and groups in a variety of programs including hands-on demonstrations, workshops, camps, birthday parties and curriculum based classes integrating science, the arts and humanities. This position will oversee the care of the Museum’s animals and aquariums. Our 14-years old hands-on science museum & aquarium has an annual visitation of 80,000 with 20,000 square feet of permanent and special exhibits and several acres of outdoor activity areas. Applicant must have demonstrated experience in education, animal care, and aquarium maintenance. A 4-year degree in zoology, animal science, biology, or related science field is preferred. Candidate should be creative, organized and able to work independently or as a member of an education and exhibits team. Must be available weekends. Apply at www.cityftmyers.com/jobs

Thank you,

Nicole Dunn

Education Manager

The City of Fort Myers

Department of Cultural & Historic Affairs

(239) 321-7413

Around the Bend Fall Tours

From: Karen A. Fraley Around the Bend Nature Tours LLC   Around the Bend Nature Tours announces our cool weather hikes – get out before the holiday rush! Our first tour is the Friday after Thanksgiving. Call or e-mail to reserve your spot. Cost: $15/person   Come see us this Saturday November 21st at the Cortez Folk Arts Festival – 10am – 4pm Gulf Coast Maritime Museum on Cortez Road! Discover the FISH Preserve on Sarasota Bay…   Friday November 27th   Wilderness Hike Little Manatee River South Fork Tract – 9:00am - 1:00pm Located on SR 62 east of the FPL facility – this SWFWMD land runs along the South Fork of the Little Manatee River. We will hike through a Florida Scrub ecosystem looking for the endemic Florida scrub jay. Restoration work has been progressing here and the ecosystem is thriving. A trip to the river flood plain rewards us with a rare Needle Palm sighting. This is a difficult hike – wear good boots, bring a snack or lunch, binoculars and plenty of water. No restroom or water on site.   Saturday December 5th Wilderness Hike Coker Prairie, Ed Chance Preserve – 9:00am - 1:00pm Located on SR 64 east – this SWFWMD land connects to the Myakka River ecosystem. We will hike through a Florida Scrub ecosystem looking for the endemic Florida scrub jay. Restoration work has been progressing here and the ecosystem is thriving. This is a difficult hike – wear good boots, bring a snack or lunch, binoculars and plenty of water. No water or restrooms onsite.   Discover the rich natural and cultural heritage of Manatee County. Guides are Professionally Certified Master Naturalists through the University of Florida and National Association of Interpretation (NAI)     Tour Cost: $15/person   Gift Certificates available for 2010 tours http://www.aroundbend.com/discover/gift-certificates.php     Bradenton, FL  34209 (941) 794-8773 phone & fax karen@aroundbend.com www.AroundBend.com

media release- Open House 12/5/09

Media contact: Dolly Cummings phone: 813-363-5438   Holiday Open House and 10th Anniversary Celebration!   The Camp Bayou Holiday Open House and 10th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 9am to 2pm. This year's new activities include:   Folktales from the Bayou- Join Jeri down by the cabins recently moved from the old Giant's Camp in Gibsonton. Hear some fun stories inspired by the area's long-time fishing tradition.   Photograhy contest/award- Photo entries have been taken at Camp Bayou over the past 10 years. Photo judges include Bruce Marsh, local artist and scholar. Winner will be announced at noon. There is still time to enter. Contact Dolly at campbayou@yahoo.com to find out how.   Geocache/Letterbox Treasure Hunt- Whether you are tech-savvy or love to solve written low-tech clues, this is a chance to be a treasure hunter and perhaps find a new hobby.   Most of the popular activities will be offered to give folks an idea of the kinds of fun things to do at Camp Bayou all year 'round. There are scheduled activities as well as ongoing activites from 9am-2pm. As always, admission to the Center is still free although some specific activities charge a small fee (noted in schedule).   Schedule of Family-friendly Activities:   9am: Guided walking Tour 1- Wetland Walk with Becki   9am– 1:30pm: Highlight Cart Tours– 20 min tours on 7 passenger cart on the half hour   10am:  Aquatic Explorations – with George   11 am: Guided walking Tour 2- Tortoise Trail with Becki   11am: Folktales from the Bayou– with Jeri   Noon: Holiday BBQ– 10th Yr Appreciation. This year our Holiday BBQ is a 'Members Only' event. The main dish will be provided by Camp Bayou with side dishes supplied by members.*   12:30pm: Introducing NEW Speaker's Bureau with Diane   1pm: Guided walking Tour 3: River Ramble with Becki   * Members have made a recorded donation, or volunteered at least 5 hours, in the last 6 months. Not a member yet? New members may sign up on the morning of the event for a nominal fee. Please RSVP to Dolly at campbayou@yahoo.com, and include if you will be bringing a side dish.   Ongoing throughout the day:               - Fossil Museum with Paleo Preserve volunteers             - Leisey-Casey Discovery Center and Frank Garcia Library open             - Fossil pit dig (for small fee)             - Nature Center with Sharon             - Photography contest display/award with Jeri             - Holiday nature crafts with Junior troop 358 from Cypress Creek             - Nature activity stations with Webelos pack 41 from Parrish             - Nature videos in the classroom             - Geo-cache/Letterbox Treasure Hunt with Jeri             - 3 trails through varied habitats             - Native plants for sale - Native Peoples Camp tours with Herb - Eagle Audubon Butterfly Habitat with Diane Camp Bayou is nether a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAPP program purchased the land but it is now open for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, the RCDF offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families plus it's open from Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks. Admission is still FREE. The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org .   ###   photo caption 1: One of many activities offered during 10th Anniversary Holiday Open House. photo 2: Open House flyer   Dolly Cummings www.campbayou.org campbayou.blogspot.com "I do not understand how any one can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to." Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (Cross Creek)

Job op- Camp Bayou

Things are looking up at Camp Bayou this year. Thanks to some prep work by one of our volunteers, we were able to make a productive presentation to nearly all the science teachers from Hillsborough County public schools. Since then we have doubled our normal requests for field trips which is wonderful but presents a new dilemma. In the past, volunteer availability has been all we needed to keep up but times are changing... and its a good thing.   Camp Bayou is currently looking for folks to work on a per diem basis as needed, to lead programs for school chldren at Camp Bayou. The pay will be $30 for the 3 hour program. Program topics are varied so it will be helpful to learn several components before you lead a group. Initially, we are in need of facilitators to help with our Rotation Station program which allows up to 120 kids, divided into 6 groups of 20 or less, to rotate every 30 minutes through 5 learning stations plus lunch. Attached is a detailed example of the program, but be aware that individual components may vary. We schedule programs on Thursdays or Fridays (and on rare occasions on Saturdays) from 10am-1pm. All facilitators must agree to a background check.   If you are interested in being a very part time facilitator, at least for the time being, I will be setting up a training date in early Dec, perhaps Friday the 11th. Other trainings, as well as free Red Cross CPR/First Aid certification, will be offered but not mandatory. If you are interested, please contact me at campbayou@yahoo.com or call 813-363-5438.   In the meantime, I have an urgent need for at least 2 facilitators on Friday, Nov 20. If you are game for a brief training in our Native Peoples' topics within the next 2 weeks, please contact me as soon as possible.   Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon! Dolly Dolly Cummings www.campbayou.org campbayou.blogspot.com "I do not understand how any one can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to." Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (Cross Creek)

Media Release- Photo Contest

CAMP BAYOU 10TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTO CONTEST 2009   Can it be 10 years already?   In recognition of Camp Bayou's ten years of increasing awareness and understanding of our natural and cultural resources in the Little Manatee River Watershed, this year's Holiday Open House will have a special exhibit of pictures taken at Camp Bayou since that first hopeful year. Anyone who has ever taken a picture at the preserve, or who plans to in the next month or so, is invited to enter this celebratory contest. The basic rules are:   1. To enter submit a matted, unframed, 8x10 black and white or color photo that has been taken at Camp Bayou. Only photos from Camp Bayou will be accepted.   2. Information securely affixed to the back must include name, address and telephone number, an approximate location where taken and the date when taken. Please indicate if you would be willing for your entry to be used for Camp Bayou displays and publicity. Acknowledgement will be given on any uses of photos.   3. You must be 18 or older to enter.   4. Photos that have previously won a Camp Bayou photo contest are in- eligible.   5. No fee to enter.   6. Entries are due November 30, 2009. Award winners will be announced at the Camp Bayou 10th Anniversary Holiday Open House, Saturday, December 5th, 2009.   7. The winner will be invited to be a judge in the next Camp Bayou Photo Contest.   8. Entries may be brought to Camp Bayou during open hours, Thursday- Saturday, 9am-2pm, or mailed to Camp Bayou Photo Contest, c/o 106 Janie St., Ruskin, FL 33570.   9. For questions call Jeri at 813/633-9479   Camp Bayou is nether a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAPP program purchased the land but it is now open for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, the RCDF offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families plus it's open from Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching. Camp Bayou is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org .   ### Media contact: Dolly Cummings Phone: 813-363-5348   A variety of photos are available for use with this release at http://picasaweb.google.com/campbayou . All photos credits are 'Dolly Cummings' unless otherwise noted. Dolly Cummings www.campbayou.org campbayou.blogspot.com "I do not understand how any one can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to." Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (Cross Creek)