Hey Mickey, you're so cute!

This is Mickey, a baby possum that was found all alone and brought into us. He's a tiny guy that's winning the hearts of everyone who comes in to the nature center! We are planning on raising him for a couple of months then releasing him into the wild. See a video of him enjoying a scatch on the video bar (on the right side of the blog page).

A.I.P. on Fine Living network

Recently a show aired on Fine Living Network featuring some highlights of Amelia Island Plantation. Jessica led a Segway Safari and Christina took the couple on a kayak and then edible plants tour. Genevieve is an inspiration and it was a pleasure to spend time with her! See below to watch;

For more info, click here! Fine Living TV -

Surprise Vacations with Karen Duffy Episode FLSVD-103

Pajama Lady Genevieve Piturro took a simple idea and turned it into a charitable organization that has helped hundreds of thousands of kids. She founded the Pajama Program, which provides pajamas and books to kids in foster care. In appreciation for her selfless dedication, her friends think it's time for Genevieve to be rewarded with a surprise vacation to Florida 's Amelia Island . Along with some quality pampering in the spa, she and her husband enjoy the natural beauty of the Florida coast on a unique Segway tour, then the local community rallies behind Genevieve's cause with a surprise pajama and book drive. The couple wraps up their getaway with a spectacular sunset cruise, where one last surprise awaits.

Black Bear on Amelia Island

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=142100&provider=rss

How the naturalists felt after camp...

Smokey and Bandit helped us demonstrate how it feels after a week with 13 kids! Also after long days of getting spoiled by nature center visitors!

Does Camp have to end??

After trudging around in the mud, what better way to wash off than to go for a swim?



Tom provided a diving platform for the kids.

Back to Walker's landing!

For an afternoon treat, the campers then made their own ice cream!

We hope all the campers had fun and hope you can join us next summer!

Mud monsters

On the last day of camp, we decided to let the kids get muddy....really really muddy! We were kayaking in the marsh during low tide and decided to explore this sandbar (well, mudbar). Didn't realize the mud was so deep, but we all had a blast!

Okefenokee Swamp Visiter's Center

The campers started off their Okefenokee adventure at the visitors center. The interactive displays were fun to play with and was also an educational introduction to this beautiful and unique ecosystem.

Cruisin through Okefenokee Swamp

Chip Campbell, who owns Okefenokee Adventures with his wife, took us out on an hour and a half boat ride in the swamp. He shared with us his wealth of information about all of the plants and animals that call it home, and explained how the swamp goes through various cycles through the years.

During our boat ride we saw Big Momma Gator, one of the largest females there is. We also saw this curious young barred owl, a real treat for everyone.

Amelia's EcoExplorer camp - Okefenokee Swamp

Today was the second day of our Amelia's EcoExplorer camp, for kids ages 9-11. Yesterday they learned about birds, rode bikes, went fishing, and dissected owl pellets. Today we went to Okefenokee Swamp Wildlife Refuge near Folkston, GA. The campers got to explore the Chesser Homestead and learn about the way life used to be around the swamp. The girls' favorite part of the house was the kitchen, and here they are pumping water...

and sweeping with a palm frond broom. Meanwhile here are the boys...

taking it easy on the front porch! Figures!

Here's our whole crew on the front porch after exploring the property.

Bird detectives

Today was the last day of our Amelia's Young Explorers camp. We learned about how to identify birds then set off on a birding bike safari. Here's what we found, about 50 roseate spoonbills. The girls learned that these birds were here resting at Egret Airport because it was a high tide in the nearby marshes and therefor too deep to find food.

Next week we are having camp for kids ages 9-11. We hope they will have as much fun as Sarah and Bella did this week!

Shelly Saved by the Sea Shore

On only the second day of camp, our little Naturalist's in training helped rescue a disabled Laughing Gull at Huguenot State Park. We were driving out of the park, when we spotted a seagull with a broken wing and jumped out of the van. After cornering it, we through towels over the hurt gull and brought it to BEAKS wildlife rescue so they could fix his wing. Hopefully he will be healed soon and back in the wild feeling the wind through his feathers. Thanks to our helpers Sarah and Bella, we captured the seagull with no trouble. Great job guys!

One snake's revenge...

How many people does it take to assist a snake to shed?? Apparantly, three plus two to "supervise".

Gator, our red rat snake, gets the last laugh here. He was having a hard time shedding the last part of his skin. So, as the vet recommended, we put him in a wet pillowcase for a few minutes, which helped. But he still had old skin on him, so Christina and the Amandas were peeling off the last shed pieces. They weren't hurting him, but apparently were irritating him a little. Sure, he acted calm enough. Until...unfortunately for Chris's leg..he decided to poop all over the place! We were grossed out but laughing, when Amanda Hardy decided to get a closer look at Gator. He took this as his opportunity for revenge for being "picked"on...and aimed more poop right at her face! Luckily Hardy has cat-like reflexes and totally escaped the scat shot. Barely. It was hysterical, I'm pretty sure Gator had a smirk on his face for the rest of the day!

First Day of Camp!

Today was the first day of our summer camps. Sophie, Bella and Sarah had an exciting and unplanned adventure. We got a call that a baby raccoon was found under the deck at Walker's Landing here at Amelia Island Plantation. The girls did some detective work to find the little guy, who I later brought into the Wildlife Rescue Coalition in Jacksonville to be raised. They were thrilled to be able to help, and can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds in store!