The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel Island is excited to reveal its upcoming schedule for community field education programs. Running from August through December, the museum will offer a variety of engaging activities, including Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks, Live Mollusk Counts, Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls, and Beach Walks.
“These summer and fall programs provide wonderful opportunities for education, community science, and enjoyment,” said Jorden Falker, the museum’s Associate Director of Education. “Exploring our beautiful beaches and natural areas in Lee County is a fantastic way to learn and have fun.”
Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks
Join a museum educator for a walk through natural areas in Lee County, where you can observe and document land snails and other wildlife. This data will help scientists understand the distribution of land snail species in Southwest Florida.
Schedule:
- Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. – Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Estero
- Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. – Pond Apple Trail, Sanibel
- Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. – Koreshan State Park, Estero
- Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. – Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, Fort Myers
- Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. – Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East, North Fort Myers
Walks are free, but advance registration is required. Email jfalker@shellmuseum.org to register.
Live Mollusk Counts
Contribute to community science by helping document living mollusks at some of the year’s lowest tides on Sanibel’s Lighthouse Beach. This data is crucial for assessing the health of local mollusk species.
Schedule:
- Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.
- Nov. 18 at 8 a.m.
Counts are free, but advance registration is required. Email jfalker@shellmuseum.org to register.
Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls
Accompanied by a museum marine biologist, participants will stroll along Lighthouse Beach at low tide, learning about local mollusks and their shells while searching for live specimens.
Schedule:
- Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m.
- Nov. 17 at 7:30 a.m.
- Dec. 16 at 7:30 a.m.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for museum members, and $5 for ages 17 and under. Beach parking is not included. Advance registration is required. Visit ShellMuseum.org/sunrise-stroll to register.
Beach Walks
Led by museum educators, these walks offer an introduction to local shells and shelling, with discussions about the morning’s finds.
Schedule:
- Wednesdays at 9 a.m., starting in December, at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for museum members, and $5 for ages 17 and under. Advance registration is required. For confirmed dates or to register, visit ShellMuseum.org/beach-walks.
For more information about these programs, visit ShellMuseum.org or contact jfalker@shellmuseum.org.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is located at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
