National Estuaries Days 2004

. . . an annual celebration of the majestic places where rivers meet the sea.

Join us to learn more about estuaries the fun way.

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is pleased to announce National Estuaries Days 2004 – a time to highlight the importance of estuaries through recreational and educational activities. The festivals, wading trips, guided walks and paddling events described below (and in the PDF file) are opportunities to learn about estuaries by experiencing them first hand. The events are coordinated by CHNEP but offered because of the generosity of its partners. Many of the events are also sponsored by CHNEP.

The official National Estuary Day is celebrated Saturday, September 24, 2004 but since 2000 locally there have been too many events to fit in one day! This year Hurricanes Charley and Frances postponed the local celebration and many of the events were cancelled. Additional events, additional details and any changes will be posted on this website. Details of each event are provided.

Saturday, October 9

8:30-10:30 Guided Walk Birding on Little Pine Island

Sunday, October 10

8:00-noon Paddling Matlacha Pass Estuary Day Paddle

Saturday, October 16

8:00-10:00 Guided Walk Birding at Lemon Bay Park

8:00-1:00 Paddling Estero Bay Paddle

Sunday, October 17

8:45-11:30 Guided Walk Trekking Cape Haze

9:45-noon Boat Tour Orange River Cruise

Saturday, October 23

9:00-3:00 Festival Explore the Estero Bay Estuary

Sunday, October 24

8:00-12:30 Paddling Coral Creek-Cape Haze Estuary Day Paddle

Saturday, October 30

9:30-noon Wading Trip Wading the Shallows of Charlotte Harbor

Monday-Friday, November 1-5 and 8-12

11:30-noon Talk Our Estuaries

Saturday, November 6

9:00-1:00 Festival Estuaries Day Every Day

Saturday, November 13

9:30-11:30 Wading Trip Mucking about in Pine Island Sound

Saturday, November 20

9:00-4:30 Boat Tour Charlotte Harbor and Cabbage Key: A Literary Passage

9:00-noon Wading Trip Wading the Shallows of Lemon Bay

Date not yet Determined

Paddling Buck Key Kayaking Adventure

Many of the cities and counties that participate in the CHNEP will again issue proclamations of support for National Estuaries Days.

For activities offered around the country, visit www.estuaries.gov.