Dive into summer fun with the District’s free educational resources

Exploring the world of macroinvertebrates is one way to keep your child engaged in learning this summer.

Another school year is coming to a close, which means parents may be looking for ways to keep their children engaged and entertained during the summertime. If that sounds like you, the St. Johns River Water Management District has you covered. Whether you want to go hiking on a District land or learn about water conservation at home, the District has a variety of fun, free learning opportunities for families to enjoy this summer!

Explore a District land. With 42 properties throughout 18 counties, most people are just a short drive from a District land. You can pack a picnic lunch and spend the day hiking, fishing, and observing plants and animals with your family. The District has purchased land to protect and preserve water resources. These properties all play a vital role in the protection of our water resources, but they also help to conserve our natural ecological communities, protect critical wildlife habitats and provide outdoor spaces for public recreation and environmental education.

Drive with wildlife. Experience close-up views of wildlife with your children from the comfort of your vehicle.

• The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is known for its diverse bird population. Bring a field guide and help your kids identify what they see. You may even see alligators, turtles and otters along the way. The drive is open for vehicular traffic between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays.
• Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area has a seasonal interpretive drive where you can see a variety of wildlife and the area’s restoration work. It is open for vehicular traffic from the third Friday in February through the fourth Sunday in May. During that time, the drive is open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to sunset.

District lands offer a great way to get outside and explore your natural surroundings.

Explore your neighborhood with the waterwise neighborhood scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt lets you connect with nature while observing the protection of water resources in your own community. If an animal or term used in the hunt is unfamiliar to you or your child, it provides a chance for you to look it up and learn something new! You may even discover new ways to incorporate water-protecting elements into your own landscaping.

Discover the world of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates, often called macros, are animals that don’t have a backbone and are large enough to be seen without using a microscope or magnifying glass, like a snail or crayfish. Learn about different kinds of macros with these 10 printable coloring/info sheets. For a hands-on experience, kids, with adult supervision, can gather their own macro samples to examine from a nearby pond or lake. All you need is a net, shallow pan, clear cup and spoon! Watch this video to learn more.

If it’s a rainy day or maybe the outdoors aren’t your thing, don’t worry; there are plenty of educational resources that can be found on the District’s website.

Learn about the St. Johns River, Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and the water cycle through interactive educational web pages that have videos, activities, stories, puzzles and more.

• Raliegh’s Den lets you learn more about Raliegh the river otter and the work the District does to protect and restore Raleigh‘s habitat.
• Snook’s Cove tours the IRL through the perspective of lagoon natives Sebastian and Lucie Snook, with information on seagrasses, mangroves and other unique lagoon tidbits.
• The Great Water Odyssey^SM provides an interactive way to learn about water resources and their protection and conservation. It was created with elementary teachers in mind and has online quizzes as you move through each section.

Combine a snack break with learning by making an edible aquifer. This fun, hands-on activity lets you find out more about where most of us in northeast and east-central Florida get our drinking water —underground aquifers. Grab ice cream, clear soda and the other items needed and enjoy! Explore this activity and others online.

Explore the online library of coloring sheets and activity books. Encourage learning while fostering fine motor skills and igniting a love for art! Print as many as you’d like from the District’s website.

With all of these activities, you can say goodbye to summer boredom and hello to exciting adventures with the District’s fun, free learning opportunities! Tag @SJRWMD on any social media posts so we can follow along with your explorations.