Crystal River School Trip: Snorkeling With Manatees and Exploring Caves

When Students visit Crystal River they will experience a unique habitat that provides shelter and a food source for West Indian manatees. Kings bay which encompasses Crystal River comprises of 30 islands surrounded by spring-fed water, Crystal River is a warm water refuge for over 25% of the nation’s endangered Florida manatee population. Students will snorkel in the natural clear spring water as these “gentle giants” swim playfully all around them. Biologist will teach the students about this unique ecosystem and what can be done to preserve the habitat for these amazing animals. On this school trip to Crystal River students will also learn about the inward watershed system to Kings Bay by studying the Brooksville Caves.  Students will take a guided tour of these amazing caves while studying the four cave habitats.  Biologist will discuss the flora and fauna found in these caves from bats, ferns to troglobites. Additionally, students on a school trip to Crystal River will volunteer with naturalist, park rangers and biologist to help preserve this ecosystem.  This volunteer work can range from helping clean the watershed system to tagging manatees.

Core Curriculum:

Our core curriculum consists of the study of manatee biology, seagrass analysis, watershed ecosystems, cave studies, as well as service-learning activities. Evening programs include astronomy, night wades, and evening forest walks.

Manatee Studies

This program is highly diverse and ranges from studies of behavior, ecology, taxonomy, and communication of these marine mammals. These studies are aimed at giving students a better understanding of these animals with regards to habitats, breeding, interaction, and feeding behavior.

Seagrass Ecology

Seagrass beds are a commercially crucial habitat where spiny lobster, stone crabs, and baitfish abound. Participants learn about grass beds and their importance as nursery systems for a variety of organisms that make Kings Bay their home. Through a series of net pulls students will collect organisms and identify them according to their phylum. 

Cave Studies

We will introduce students to the amazing twilight, transitional and deep habitat systems found in caves.  Each of these specific niches have distinct organisms that feed and live here such as bats, blind crickets, blind cave fish and others.

Service Learning

Participants will be able to volunteer in a variety of service-based programs. The emphasis of the service opportunity is to show students how an affinity for science can be used to positively impact communities. 

• Trip Highlights Include:

• •  A boat trip to snorkel with manatees
  

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•  Mentoring the children of migrant worker in the field of science and conservation