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Discover Turtles & Tortoises at the Oxbow

Turtles, Tortoises Are The Topic At The Oxbow Eco-Center This September

September 6, 2013
Turtles and tortoises are the topic of conversation at the Oxbow Eco-Center this September. Drop in Tuesday through Friday from noon – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. to check out activities and exhibits that highlight these hard-shelled natives. 

Programs planned for the month of September include: 
  • Homeschool lesson return Thursday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. The Treasure Coast Environmental Education Council teams up with the Oxbow Eco-Center to present an open house for homeschool parents to learn about the upcoming season of classes available for their students. There will be some fun activities for the students while parents meet local educators and find out some of the resources available to them. Reservations are not required for this free opportunity.
  • Discover the turtles of the world at the Oxbow’s Brown Bag Lecture on Saturday, Sept. 7 at noon. From around the world, turtle species both large and small share some very unique features. Florida Master Naturalist Instructor Wren Underwood will be presenting the life history, amazing anatomical features and interesting specifics of these cold-blooded beauties. No reservations are required for this free lunchtime lecture. 
  • Create a “Book in a Box” multi-media project at the Oxbow’s Art Class on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (ages 15 and older). Join the Treasure Coast Art Association’s Barbara Fuller for this special art class and create your very own book and special box to keep it in. The book and box are decorated with artist paper, paint, ink stamps and decorative add-ons to make it stand out. These art pieces are both functional and look great on your coffee table. They also make fabulous gifts for someone you love. The cost is $45 per person which includes all supplies. Please register by Wednesday, Sept. 11 to reserve your space. Class size is limited. Reservations are required: 772-785-5833 or oxbow@stlucieco.org.  
  • Buzz into the Oxbow on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. for the Bee Keepers meeting. The Treasure Coast Beekeeper Association (TCBA) is a nonprofit organization that provides education about bees and beekeeping for people of the Treasure Coast. Every month there is a new bee-related learning opportunity.  These meeting are free and open to the general public.
  • The Butterfly Garden Committee meeting flutters into the Oxbow on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. Join like-minded garden enthusiasts as they plan and design the Oxbow’s butterfly gardens. Can’t make it this day? You can still be part of this fun group by helping to plant and tend the garden every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. Reservations are requested.  
  • Oxbow and the Natives program digs into the Florida Box Turtle and the Gopher Tortoise on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 3:45 p.m. These two land-locked reptiles may share similar habitats in St. Lucie County, but join us to learn about the differences in behaviors between the Gopher Tortoise and the Florida Box Turtle.  This is a free program for children ages 5 and older. No reservations required.
  • Get down with “The Turtle Twist” at the Oxbow’s Treehouse Time on Friday, Sept. 20, starting at 9:30 a.m. Have you ever seen a turtle dance?  Bring your favorite adult and join Miss Kathy as she sings some silly reptile songs to see if our Box Turtle special “K” boogies to the music.  Maybe you can teach her a dance move or two. This is a free program appropriate for ages 3 - 5 with an adult.  
  • Get weaving with the Art of Making Nature Baskets class on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. (ages 12 and older). All ancient civilizations produced baskets. Not only were they useful in their daily lives, baskets were used in religious ceremonies, buried in graves and elaborately decorated to become cultural art forms. Step into the past at the Oxbow as the Treasure Coast Art Association introduces the art of basket-making using natural materials.  The cost of the class is $20 and includes all supplies. Class size is limited. Reservations are required: 772-785-5833 or oxbow@stlucieco.org.  
  • Learn to get limber with Tai Chi for Health. Beginner and intermediate classes are held on Tuesdays (Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24) at 10:30 a.m.; Fridays (Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27) at 9:15 a.m. and Saturdays (Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28) at 3 p.m. Tai Chi Yang Form Classes are held on Fridays (Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27) at 10:30 a.m. Tai Chi instructors Hilde and Hector Ruiz-Puyana will lead the classes, designed for everyone, including those who suffer from arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis and balance issues. Appropriate for ages 16 and older, the cost is $10 per class or $32 for four classes. Reservations are required: 772-785-5833 or oxbow@stlucieco.org.
Situated on a 225-acre preserve on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, the Oxbow offers a rare glimpse of "the real Florida" with nature trails, boardwalks, observation towers and an interactive environmental learning center. 

The Oxbow Eco-Center is located at 5400 NE St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie (across from the Publix Shopping Center). For more information call the staff at 772-785-5833 or visit www.oxboweco.com.