Welcome to The Friends Of The GTM Reserve Website

The Friends of GTM Reserve is a private non-profit citizen organization established to support and enhance environmental education, stewardship of natural and cultural resources, and scientific research of the GTM NERR through volunteer initiatives, citizen involvement, and community partnerships.

 

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Environmental Education Center
505 Guana River Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

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The Environmental Education Center will be closed until Monday September 15.

The Brown Bag Lunch scheduled for September 5 has been cancelled.

National Estuaries Day September 27, 2008

2008 4th Grade Art Contest Winners

This Month at the Environmental Education Center

Shop for Books, Art and Gifts at the Nature Store

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Adopt A Sea Turtle Nest - Nesting Season Ends Oct 31

Click here to download the Adopt-A-Nest form

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Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation Bob Ballard, Congressman John L. Mica, and Laurie McGilvray, Chief of the Estuarine Reserves Division of NOAA, opened the new 21,000 square-foot Environmental Education Center at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve on Saturday September 24th, 2005. The $6.2 million project includes interpretive exhibits, aquariums, classrooms, teaching and working laboratories, an auditorium and an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Guana River Aquatic Preserve. Programs are offered to school teachers, students, adults and environmental professionals.

 The Environmental Education Center is open daily 9am - 4pm with the exception of State holidays. Admission to the Environmental Education Center is $2 for adults, $1 for children aged ten to 17 and free for children under ten. (GTM Reserve annual pass holders get in free!) In the Center we have a variety of exhibits for you to view and a scavenger hunts for the kids (and adults) to complete. There is also a 15 minute intro video that plays in our AV room all day. Please check our Events Calendar for a list of when special events and guided walks are offered.

Ongoing Events at the GTM Reserve

All events are held at the Environmental Education Center in Ponte Vedra Beach unless All events are held at the Environmental Education Center in Ponte Vedra Beach unless otherwise noted! Please call 904-823-4500 for more information or to register for an event!

First Fridays - Brown Bag Lunch Series: Noon-1pm
Lunch and learn at the GTM Reserve! Pack a lunch and your curiosity as we cover such topics as blue crabs, sea shells, horseshoe crabs, prescribed fire, photography and more! Call ahead to learn each month’s topic! There is no charge for this event!

Third Wednesdays - Family Fun Hour: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Join staff and volunteers as we read educational stories, create fun nature crafts or head outdoors to explore our fascinating estuary system! Activities are FREE and appropriate for children ages 4-10 and adults! Call ahead to find out what we are up to this month! Pre-registration requested!

Weekend Nature Walks - October through December; March through May
Call for times & locations!
Looking for Birds, Botany and Breakfast or just a short guided trail walk?
Join a GTM staff member or Volunteer for an informational & entertaining walk through nature. Time, location difficulty and charges may vary!
Please call for more information and to register for a walk.

Weekend Movies: See movie listing on Events Page . Topics vary by month.
Typical show times are 10:00am and 1:00pm unless otherwise noted.

Star Parties - November-February. Bring your own scope or borrow ours for the evening! A brief (15-20 minute) discussion helps orientate beginners before we step outside to view the night sky. Specific times and dates are determined monthly. Please call for information on the next upcoming party! Space is limited for these events & reservations are required. $10 each or $5.00 for Friends members.

Please check our
Events Calendar for a list of when special events and guided walks are offered.


EDUCATION CENTER HOURS OF OPERATION:
9AM-4PM
7 Days A Week
Closed on State Holidays


MOVIES

See List Of Movie Showtimes on Events Page


    ...for more information please call GTMNERR (904) 823-4500.