Calendar of 2017 Events

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  • January

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    Florida Keys Seafood Festival
    January 14, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    January 15, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Bayview Park
    Truman Avenue and Jose Marti Drive
    Key West, FL

    Come ready for good eats at the 12th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival, sponsored by the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association. The event, which has plenty of excellent local seafood to go around, celebrates the fishing community and provides scholarships to college bound children of commercial fishermen. Stop by for the sanctuary booth and other activities, including live music, local arts and crafts, and kid's games.

    For more information, visit Florida Keys Seafood Festival.

     

    Sanctuary Seminar: Slave Ships & Grave Stories
    January 17
    6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    33 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Registration is required to attend this six-week Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) course hosted by the sanctuary. Corey Malcom, Director of Archaeology at the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, will talk about historic wrecks of the Keys.

    To register for the course, contact the FKCC Community Education Department at 305-809-3185 and cite course number 21120. Tuition fee is $19 for all six sessions.

     

    Discovery Saturday: Coral The Amazing Reef Builder
    January 21, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

     

    Sanctuary Seminar: Yesterday’s WWII Vessels: Today’s Pollution?
    January 24
    6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    33 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Registration is required to attend this six-week Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) course hosted by the sanctuary. Lisa Symons, Acting Deputy Superintendent FKNMS, will discuss how historic wrecks may still pose pollution hazards today.

    To register for the course, contact the FKCC Community Education Department at 305-809-3185 and cite course number 21120. Tuition fee is $19 for all six sessions.

     

    Recreational-Charter Fishing Working Group Meetings: Initial Workshop
    January 25
    9:30 .a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    City of Marathon Council Chambers
    9805 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

    This working group of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council is working to develop a voluntary education and recognition program for charter fishing operators.

    For more information, please contact Nicole Uibel at 305-809-4711 or by email to Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov

     

    Sanctuary Seminar: Rebounding Sea Turtles: No Seagrass Left Behind
    January 31
    6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    33 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Registration is required to attend this six-week Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) course hosted by the sanctuary. James Fourqurean, Marine Ecologist at Florida International University, will talk about plans to outplant nursery-grown corals in the Key West area.

    To register for the course, contact the FKCC Community Education Department at 305-809-3185 and cite course number 21120. Tuition fee is $19 for all six sessions.

  • February

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    Recreational-Charter Fishing Working Group Public Engagement Meetings: Marathon Scoping Meeting
    February 1
    6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
    City of Marathon Council Chambers
    9805 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

    This working group of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council is working to develop a voluntary education and recognition program for charter fishing operators. Public attendance is encouraged.

    For more information, please contact Nicole Uibel at 305-809-4711 or by email to Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov

     

    Sanctuary Seminar: Island Life Abounds in Lower Keys Wildlife Refuges
    February 7
    6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    33 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Registration is required to attend this six-week Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) course hosted by the sanctuary. Adam Emerick, a wildlife biologist with the US Fish & Wildlife Service's Florida Keys Refuge Complex, will describe the wildlife of the Keys and provide an update on the status of the refuge.

    To register for the course, contact the FKCC Community Education Department at 305-809-3185 and cite course number 21120. Tuition fee is $19 for all six sessions.

     

    Recreational-Charter Fishing Working Group Public Engagement Meetings: Islamorada Scoping Meeting
    February 8
    6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
    Monroe County Public Library - Islamorada
    81830 Overseas Highway
    Islamorada, FL 33036

    This working group of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council is working to develop a voluntary education and recognition program for charter fishing operators. Public attendance is encouraged.

    For more information, please contact Nicole Uibel at 305-809-4711 or by email to Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov

     

    Sanctuary Seminar: Creating a Coral Trail for Snorkelers to Explore
    February 14
    6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    33 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Registration is required to attend this six-week Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) course hosted by the sanctuary. Dave Vaughn, Executive Director of Mote Tropical Research Laboratory, will talk about plans to outplant nursery-grown corals in the Key West area.

    To register for the course, contact the FKCC Community Education Department at 305-809-3185 and cite course number 21120. Tuition fee is $19 for all six sessions.

     

    Recreational-Charter Fishing Working Group Public Engagement Meetings: Key West Scoping Meeting
    February 15
    6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    33 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    This working group of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council is working to develop a voluntary education and recognition program for charter fishing operators. Public attendance is encouraged.

    For more information, please contact Nicole Uibel at 305-809-4711 or by email to Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov

     

    Discovery Saturday
    February 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

     

    Free Chart Plotting Seminar
    February 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
    5205 College Road
    Stock Island, FL 33040

    A free introduction to Chart Plotting Seminar will be offered by the Key West Sail and Power Squadron. Attendees will learn to plot course direction, measure distances, and plan routes on local charts. All members of the public are welcome, with no charge for admission or class materials.

    To help the Squadron plan, please send an email to dickieo659@gmail.com that you will attend.

     

    Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
    February 21
    City of Marathon Council Chambers
    9805 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

    Draft meeting agenda (including start time) will be posted on the Sanctuary Advisory Council Meetings and Announcements webpage.

     

    Sanctuary Seminar: Shallow-water Habitats: Restored and Protected
    February 21
    6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    33 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Registration is required to attend this six-week Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) course hosted by the sanctuary. Stephen Werndli, Enforcement & Response Coordinator for FKNMS, will explain efforts to restore seagrass and coral habitats following vessel groundings.

    To register for the course, contact the FKCC Community Education Department at 305-809-3185 and cite course number 21120. Tuition fee is $19 for all six sessions.

     

    Recreational-Charter Fishing Working Group Meetings: Final Workshop
    February 22
    9:30 .a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    City of Marathon Council Chambers
    9805 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

    This working group of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council is working to develop a voluntary education and recognition program for charter fishing operators.

    For more information, please contact Nicole Uibel at 305-809-4711 or by email to Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov

     

    Upper Keys Rotary Club's 21st Annual Gigantic Nautical Flea Market
    February 25 - 26, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Founders Park
    87000 Overseas Highway
    Islamorada, FL 33036

    The Gigantic Nautical Flea Market is a super place to get great bargains on boating fishing, diving, and nautical themed gear. The event raises money for college scholarships for Upper Keys youth.

    For up to the minute information, please see the Rotary Facebook page or email giganticnauticalmarket@gmail.com.

     

    US Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills & Seamanship Course
    February 28 - March 16, (3 week course on Tuesdays & Thursdays)
    7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
    Big Pine Key United Methodist Church (Fellowship Hall)
    280 Key Deer Blvd
    Big Pine Key, FL 33042

    The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 13-03 is offering a Boating Skills and Seamanship class. Topics include nautical highway signs, rules of the road, navigation, course charting, boat handling, equipment, radio procedures and other safe boating skills. This is an approved boating safety program which qualifies students, successfully completing the course, to receive the Florida Boating Safety Education ID card. The cost of the program is $55 per person (materials included) or $80 for two people with shared materials.

    For more information, visit Flotilla 13-03's Web Site and select “Boating Safety Classes.” Or, contact Diane Adam at auxclassreg@yahoo.com or 305-872-4071.

  • March

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    America’s Boating Course
    Saturday, ​March 4 and Sunday, ​March 5
    8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Key West Sail and Power Squadron
    5205 College Rd., Stock Island
    Key West, FL 33040​

    The Key West Sail and Power Squadron is offering the ”America’s Boating Course". The introductory course covers boat handling, elementary seamanship, navigation aids, weather, marine radios, Florida boating regulations and more. Completion satisfies the mandatory Florida State boating certification requirements, allowing attendees to receive their Florida State Boater’s ID card. The Boater ID card is required for anyone born after January 1st, 1988 to operate a boat of 10 horse power or more.

    The course fee is $60.00 and covers the cost of the material. Additional family members willing to share materials can enroll for $15.00. For information, call Vince Melendy at . More information and registration is posted at www.usps.org/keywest.

     

    2017 Sponge Forum
    March 9, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
    Marathon Government Center
    2798 Overseas Hwy
    Marathon, FL 33037

    The Nature Conservancy and Florida Sea Grant invite you to attend the 2017 Sponge Forum. Presentations will include:
      * The loss of sponge biocomplexity in Florida Bay: its ecosystem impacts and prospects for restoration, presented by Dr. Mark Butler, Old Dominion University
      * Does sponge abundance or diversity matter for water quality or resource competition? Presented by Marla Valentine, Old Dominion University
      * In situ nurseries as a tool for sponge community restoration research, presented by Elliott Hart, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
      * Sponges and Biomedicine, presented by Dr. Shirley Pomponi, Florida Atlantic University

    Registration is FREE, please RSVP at spongeforum2017.eventbrite.com.

     

    Discovery Saturday
    March 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

  • April

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    America’s Boating Course
    Saturday, ​April 1, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and
    Sunday, ​April 2, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Key West Sail and Power Squadron
    5205 College Rd., Stock Island
    Key West, FL 33040​

    The Key West Sail and Power Squadron is offering the ”America’s Boating Course". The introductory course covers boat handling, elementary seamanship, navigation aids, weather, marine radios, Florida boating regulations and more. Completion satisfies the mandatory Florida State boating certification requirements, allowing attendees to receive their Florida State Boater’s ID card. The Boater ID card is required for anyone born after January 1st, 1988 to operate a boat of 10 horse power or more.

    The course fee is $60.00 and covers the cost of the material. Additional family members willing to share materials can enroll for $15.00. For information, call Vince Melendy at . More information and registration is posted at www.usps.org/keywest.

     

    Discovery Saturday
    April 15, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

     

    Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
    April 18
    Hyatt Place
    1996 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

    Draft meeting agenda is also posted on the Sanctuary Advisory Council Meetings and Announcements webpage.

     

    Upper Keys Team OCEAN volunteer training
    April 22,
    8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. classroom
    1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on the water with Team OCEAN – weather permitting
    Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Key Largo Office
    95239 Overseas Highway
    Key Largo, FL 33037

    The sanctuary will conduct training sessions for Team OCEAN volunteers. Participants must clear a background check prior to participation in boating activity.

    For more information on becoming a volunteer and participating in Team OCEAN activities, contact Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov or Eric.Raslich@noaa.gov.

     

    Lower Keys Team OCEAN volunteer training
    April 29,
    8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. classroom
    1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on the water with Team OCEAN – weather permitting
    Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Key West Office
    33 Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    The sanctuary will conduct training sessions for Team OCEAN volunteers. Participants must clear a background check prior to participation in boating activity.

    For more information on becoming a volunteer and participating in Team OCEAN activities, contact Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov or Eric.Raslich@noaa.gov.

  • May

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    Discovery Saturday
    May 20, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

     

    Heritage Awareness Diving Seminar
    May 18-20, 2017
    Marathon, FL

    The Spring Heritage Awareness Diving Seminar will focus on providing Course Directors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructors with a greater knowledge of how to proactively protect shipwrecks, artificial reefs, and other underwater cultural sites. The three-day seminar will include two evenings of classroom-based learning and one day on in-field dive training that provides direct experience relating to classroom discussions. Cost is $150 and includes all course materials and charter boat fees.

    For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Nicole Grinnan, Florida Public Archaeology Network, Northeast Region, by email at ngrinnan@uwf.edu or call 850-595-0050.

  • June

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    Discovery Saturday
    June 17, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

     

    Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
    June 20

    Draft meeting agenda (including start time) will be posted on the Sanctuary Advisory Council Meetings and Announcements webpage.

  • July

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    Discovery Saturday
    July 15, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

     

    Spiny Lobster Sport Season ("Mini-Season")
    Last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July each year - Wednesday, July 26, 12:01 a.m. to Thursday, July 27, 12:00 a.m. (midnight)

    The two-day Sport Season for the Florida Spiny Lobster is governed by slightly different rules than the regular season. A valid Florida recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required to harvest spiny lobster. See the 2017 Regulations for Recreational Harvest for more information.

  • August

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    Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
    August 15

    Draft meeting agenda (including start time) will be posted on the Sanctuary Advisory Council Meetings and Announcements webpage.

     

    Discovery Saturday
    August 19, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

  • September

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    Discovery Saturday
    September 16, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

  • October

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    Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
    October 17

    Draft meeting agenda (including start time) will be posted on the Sanctuary Advisory Council Meetings and Announcements webpage.

     

    Discovery Saturday
    October 21, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

  • November

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    Discovery Saturday
    November 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.

  • December

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    Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
    December 12

    Draft meeting agenda (including start time) will be posted on the Sanctuary Advisory Council Meetings and Announcements webpage.

     

    Discovery Saturday
    December 16, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
    35 East Quay Road
    Key West, FL 33040

    Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the free, fun-filled Discovery Saturday at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

    Discovery Saturday is held the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 305-809-4750.