media release 5/28/08- Camp Bayou, Ruskin

Media contact: Dolly Cummings phone: 813-363-5438   Family Naturalist Program continues   There is still plenty more to discover at Camp Bayou during our Family Naturalist Program. Participants during May have netted critter in the river (What is an indicator species?), counted birds for Cornell (What is citizen science?), searched for aliens (What are non-native invasive species?), dug under the leaves and soil (What lives beneath our feet?), and checked out the gopher tortoise burrows (What is a keystone species?).   The Family Naturalist Program is free and pre-registration is not required. You can attend on just one or all Saturdays, from 9-10am, until June 28. On June 28, there will be a 3-hour Watershed Celebration with food, a ''Family Feud'- type game with prizes, plus awards based on attendance. To see a sampling of the types of awards and prizes offered, visit the Family Naturalist Network at http://familynaturalists.ning.com/. While you're there, consider joining to connect with like-minded families.   Upcoming program themes include: June 7- What is a Florida Friendly Yard? June 14- What does water quality mean? June 21- What is a wetland? June 28- A Watershed Celebration!   Registration is not required but if you have any questions contact Dolly at 813-363-5438 or email at famnat@campbayou.org.   Funding for the Family Naturalist Program workshops is provided by the Alafia River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.   Camp Bayou is a partnership between the Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR 674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin, on the Little Manatee River.   ###