Outdoors & Nature Insider

Good things are going on at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples! They have recently installed a pedestrian bridge at the Environmental Learning Center that leads to an interpretive trail, which was put in place just in time for their recent nature festival. Rookery Bay Reserve is one of those great "do it all" places in Florida . You can hike, camp, paddle, go birding, and learn.

There are a couple of great activities going on in February, so if you are planning a trip to the Naples area, swing by Rookery Bay Reserve and check them out.

Introduction to Kayaking - Want to learn the basics of kayaking? Take part in Rookery Bay's "Quick Start to Kayaking" course on Feb. 10, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Learn safety, rescue, and basic paddle techniques. The fee is $40, and there's a limit of 10 students. Make sure to pre-register.

Sunset Roost Rookery Tour - Explore the mangrove bays of Rookery Bay with a naturalist on this educational paddling tour. If you haven't had an opportunity to see flocks of birds returning to the mangroves to roost, this is a tour that you'll not want to miss. Event is Feb. 26, 4:30-7 p.m. Pre-registration is required, and your $35 fee includes the kayak, PFD and headlamp.

For more information, or to pre-register for these events, visit http://rookerybay.org.