Snakes in Paradise $25 / $30 March 31 at 10 – 11:30am, Thursday BV4310 – Bentley Village (North Naples) Speaker: Matthew Metcalf Snakes are animals that captivate us and often conjure extreme emotions, whether good or bad. The state of Florida is a particular hotspot for many unique species of snakes. With large influxes of out-of-state visitors and future residents, many are interested, or concerned, in understanding more about these creatures in our slice of paradise. This lecture will provide basic knowledge on common species, both native and exotic, seen here in Southwest Florida. This lecture will also use helpful tips to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes, as well as discuss current conservation research being conducted by Florida Gulf Coast University. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Peruvian Amazon $25 / $30 • Option #1 – April 12 at 10 – 11:30am, Tuesday SL4311 – Siena Lakes (North Naples) • Option #2 – April 27 at 10 – 11:30am, Wednesday MP4312 – Moorings Park (South Naples) Speaker: Matthew Metcalf Choose one of the course options above. The Amazon Rainforest is world renowned for its beauty, life and mystery. Despite this global interest, little is known about vast areas of the Amazon that remain untouched by modern civilization. Florida Gulf Coast University has recently partnered with a Peruvian medical and conservation group to conduct research on amphibian and reptile communities at a newly acquired and remote research station near Iquitos, Peru. In the summer of 2019, FGCU faculty and student researchers spent 72 days in the humid Peruvian Amazon Rainforest to help document the amazing diversity. Join us for a fascinating look at the amphibian and reptile inhabitants of the Amazon. Southwest Florida’s Coastal Ecosystems $25 / $30 April 18 at 1:30 – 3pm, Monday BV4314 – Bentley Village (North Naples) Speaker: Chad Evers The lecture on Florida’s coastal ecosystems will include Florida’s mangrove swamps, tidal wetlands, estuaries, and beaches. Each ecosystem will be discussed in detail. Additionally, this lecture will include an overview of the impacts of coastal development, as well as a discussion on harmful algae blooms.
36 fgcu.edu/academy or (239) 434-4737
Art in the Garden: Creatively Connecting People with Plants $25 / $30 April 19 at 10 – 11:30am, Tuesday NC4315 – FGCU Naples Center Speaker: Erin Wolfe Bell / Mary Helen Reuter Naples Botanical Garden is where plants and people thrive together, and art can help forge that connection. For example, exhibitions selected for display at the Garden present a clear connection to horticultural or conservation themes and provide an additional layer of interpretation of the living collection, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the plants and the physical environment of the Garden. Meanwhile, our creative aging program, Nature Journaling: Botany through Art, helps older adults engage with their natural surroundings in new and empowering ways. The goal of art in the Garden is not just showing pretty things in pretty places, but rather curing plant indifference, which is the first step in conservation. Southwest Florida Environments $25 / $30 • Option #1 – May 5 at 10 – 11:30am, Thursday BV4316 – Bentley Village (North Naples) • Option #2 – May 10 at 10 – 11:30am, Tuesday SL4317 – Siena Lakes (North Naples) Speaker: Taylor Hancock Choose one of the course options above. This introductory lecture will impart participants with a basic understanding of southwest Florida’s habitats and ecology via an exploration of the flow of water across the landscape. Participants will gain a familiarity with the natural environments around them by highlighting common plants and animals in each habitat discussed. Current environmental issues will also be covered.
Rethinking the Landscape: Regionally Appropriate Landscaping to Address Environmental Issues $25 / $30 March 25 at 10 – 11:30am, Friday NC4309 – FGCU Naples Center Speaker: Chad Washburn A warming climate means plant range boundaries are shifting and the Naples Botanical Garden is looking south to the Caribbean for appropriate plants for our local landscapes. The countries and territories of the Caribbean are our closest tropical neighbors, and we share many similarities with the region regarding habitat and plants. These plants are adapted to similar conditions we face here, from lownutrient soil, to seasonal rains, hot temperatures, high humidity and even a similar pest palette. That means that many plants native to the Caribbean Basin are better suited for our region than some plants that are native to North Florida. Because these regionally-appropriate plants are adapted to local conditions, they require fewer inputs like fertilizer and additional irrigation to survive—and they are a plantbased solution that promotes biodiversity and water quality.
FILM DISCUSSION SERIES International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (10 Films) $102 / $136 Donation January 16, 30, February 13, 27, March 13, 27, April 10, 24, May 8, 15 at 2pm, Sundays NC4328 – FGCU Naples Center Moderator: John Guerra Pre-registration is strongly advised. Participants may register for the series (NC4328) or for any of the individual films below. Join fellow film lovers as we watch and discuss film from around the world. Award winning, thought provoking, heart pounding and life changing cinema that will stay with you long after the credits roll. • Capernaum (Drama, 2018, Rated R, 126 mins) $12 / $15 Donation January 16 at 2pm, Sunday NC4329 – FGCU Naples Center While serving a five-year sentence for a violent crime, a 12-year-old boy sues his parents for neglect. • Monsieur Lahzar (Drama, 2012, Rated PG-13, 94 mins) $12 / $15 Donation January 30 at 2pm, Sunday NC4330 – FGCU Naples Center A recent emigrant takes over a Canadian classroom after a teacher’s tragic death. • For Sama (Documentary, 2018, Not Rated, 95 mins) $12 / $15 Donation February 13 at 2pm, Sunday
