K-12 Programs

Ambassadors to the Everglades

Ambassadors to the Everglades is an environmental education program that inspires 4th-12th grade students to become stewards of the environment by helping them develop an appreciation and understanding for South Florida s wetlands and the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. The program begins with a classroom pre-visit where students learn the history of the Everglades and discuss the problems facing it. They then take a half-day field trip to Torry Island in Lake Okeechobee to restore a historic pond apple forest that once thrived there. Students and teachers plant trees and explore Lake Okeechobee when they dip net for aquatic organisms. Following the trip, staff returns to the schools to facilitate a reflective post-visit to review concepts and distribute evaluations. The program is aligned with Florida Sunshine State Standards and free to schools.

Expanded Ambassadors to the Everglades

We offer an expanded Ambassador experience which includes monthly pre-visits where students are presented with increasingly detailed lessons about the Florida Everglades. In addition to the core themes, the expanded program covers plant and animal adaptations, Native Americans in the Glades, changes to the historic system, and in-depth study of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Lessons are interdisciplinary and are flexible to meet the needs of the class curriculum.

Summer Camp: Wetlands, Weird Wild & Wonderful

The Foundation travels to established camps to infuse Everglades education and activities for camp programs in South Florida. We facilitate a two-hour program on the Florida Everglades which includes both presentation and interactive fun games. Wetlands, Weird, Wild, & Wonderful started in 2005 at 3 local day camps and expanded to 8 camps in 2006.

Custom Programs and Presentations

As educators serving diverse audiences we have developed programs and presentations to meet specific needs and requests. "Rooted with Trees" is a short interactive presentation for grades K-3 that shares the importance of trees and wetlands through movement, song, and hands-on activities. "Rooted with Trees" is perfect for schools, after school programs/clubs, and home schools. "Field Notes" is an interpretive natural history guide for the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to accompany our designed excursions.