Please join us for one of our comprehensive, hands-on, and interactive nature programs.
The center has been conducting such programs since 1969 and they have become a beloved cultural institution.
Each year we provide programming for over 30,000 children to help create better informed and more active stewards for our natural environment.
Field Expeditions – Copy
Call 305-361-6767 x 119 To Make A Reservation for the Following Expeditions
1) Select a Naturalist-guided, hands-on, nature expedition:
Our most popular expedition! Drag a net in the seagrass and who knows what you may come up with. There’s sea life of all shapes and sizes living in the seagrass right outside our doors. From seahorse to sea star, pipefish to pufferfish, the variety of sea life is amazing. Your naturalist guide will identify each species, making sure everyone gets a good look-see before gently releasing the catch. These seagrass beds are a rich ecosystem. It’s wading fun for the whole family, with netfulls of surprises. Wear closed toe shoes that can get wet and get ready for waist deep wading. Bring a change of clothes if riding home with a dry bottom is important to you.
$15 per person
Reservations 305-361-6767 x119
The Coastal Ecology program will provide your students with a broad background on all the ecosystems that exist within the Bear Cut Nature Preserve. Activities include a beach and hammock walk, butterfly exploration in our garden, insect discussion, and a visit to our exhibit room which houses the various animals in the seagrass beds of the Bear Cut Preserve. This program does not include going into the water, and is perfect for all ages.
$15 per person
Reservations 305-361-6767 x119
Are you looking for fun, educational, and nature-oriented activities for your pre-school or kindergarten class? Introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of animals and plants in South Florida. The Beach Babies program allows our youngest visitors to see, touch, and smell marine animals and plants in order to fully experience the environment. Activities include a beach and hammock walk, art projects, exploration of our butterfly garden and a visit to our exhibit room with live animals from our seagrass beds. This program is specifically designed to cater to a young audience and does not include going into the water.
$15 per person
Reservations 305-361-6767 x119
Go back in time to the ANCIENT fossil reef. This unusual reef is completely unique to our area and quite a surprise at low tide. You’ll explore the tidal life along this exposed reef as you wade along its boundaries and the adjoining mangrove forest. This treasure of the sea is so worth seeing and learning about, and our naturalists are just the people to give you the straight skinny on its delicate existence. The view of South Beach from this area is a bonus, a real contrast to the natural beauty of sand, sea, reef and mangroves around you. Very photo worthy! Of course, walks are done at low tide for maximum observation. This is a terrific walk & fresh air fun for the whole family. Don’t forget your camera and sunscreen.
$15 per person
Reservations 305-361-6767 x119
Ask about discount for expeditions scheduled by December 20, 2018!
This wading exploration takes place in the north end of the Bear Cut Preserve, where one of the few pristine mangrove areas close to urban Miami exists. While slogging through the mangroves, students will be exposed to the basic information, including biological information, importance, adaptations, and threats to mangrove communities. Some of the wildlife to be encountered includes wading birds, fish, mangrove crabs, oysters, sea slugs and much more! Conservation issues will also be discussed and the students will be taught how their actions can help save our environment.
$15 Per person
Reservations 305-361-6767 x 119
Funded by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Youth Enrichments Program, this program introduces local youngsters to a world of natural beauty few have experienced. Depending on the weather and tides, participants will either hike through a rare coastal hammock where bobcats, panthers, and black bears used to reside; slog through one of our area’s few remaining pristine mangrove communities to encounter wildlife such as wading birds, fish, mangrove crabs, oysters, and sea slugs; or wade into Seagrass beds in shallow areas offshore to examine marine species such as fish, seahorses, sea urchins, crabs, shrimp, and sea stars.
At times, they will pause to draw, sketch, or photograph the wonders they discover. Following and inspired by their morning expedition, youngsters will spend the afternoon with a local nature artist creating leaf rubbings, drawings, paintings, recycled bottle cap collages, 3D sculptures using recycled materials picked up along the beach, or other projects.
$15 Per person
Reservations 305-361-6767 x 119
Scholarships Available for Under-served students in our community.
This program is designed to introduce children, all ages, to the joys of exploring nature while exposing them to new educational and career opportunities.
The children will spend the day in the Bear Cut Preserve exploring nature and performing hands-on experiments in our Discovery Lab Classroom.
The “Science Saturday” program is a great opportunity for our community children. The children explore the world of science at the MSD Biscayne Nature Center through participating in our Seagrass Adventure program, trekking through the mangroves, visiting our fossilized reef, dissecting squid and participating in outdoor educational games.
The day begins at 9:30 when the school bus picks them up at their school, church or scout house. All equipment such as life jackets, nets, buckets, sunscreen, bug repellant, microscopes, binoculars, and viewers, are provided.
The children have a hands-on science experience that would not normally come their way. This program has been a real eye opener exposing marine and park career opportunities to them as well.
$15 Per Person
Reservations 305-361-6767 x 111
Scholarships Available for Under-served students in our community.
2) Guided tour of our south Florida ecosystem exhibit room including discussions about Florida marine life, including sea turtles, sea horses and jellyfish.
3) All equipment is provided: nets, lifejackets and buckets (if applicable)
4) Optional Add-on: A squid dissection lab can be added to any of the above adventures for $2 per student.
Schedule
Most programs begin at 10:00 am and end at 2:00 pm. A 30-minute lunch break is included.
Earlier or later starting times may be arranged. Programs are offered seven days a week.
The children will also be able to visit our Nature Gift Shop. It will be open throughout the day to select nature-inspired souvenirs to remember their experience on Key Biscayne. We have items ranging from .50 cents to $30 dollars from all over the world.