Marine Science Station

06/18/2026

Today was our last day of Coastal Camp Citrus 2026 (Middle School Session 2) and we packed in some amazing experiences! The campers thoroughly explored Shell Island and learned about its Native American history. The kids found lots of examples of broken pottery, shell tools, and discarded oyster shells within the midden.
They learned about the native and non-native plants on the island, discovered lots of different types of crabs along the shore, and spotted beautiful roseate spoonbill birds roosting in the island's trees.
After lunch, they explored the hardbottom community of Gomez Rocks, where we spotted a green turtle as well as numerous types of algae, fish, and invertebrates. After a quick pitstop at a sand bar, we headed back in for their post-tests and wrapped up the week!
We thoroughly enjoyed this crew and we hope they gained a greater appreciation for our natural world and learned how they can study it further and protect it!
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Education Foundation

06/18/2026

Coastal Camp Citrus 2026 (Middle School Session 2) is grateful for our many sponsors and partners!!!
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Education Foundation

06/17/2026

Today was yet another amazing day of hands-on, feet-wet learning at Coastal Camp Citrus 2026 (Middle School Session 2)! The campers conducted biodiversity surveys in shallow seagrass meadows near Mullet Key, where they found over 30 different species of fish and invertebrates! Using dip nets and seine nets, they learned how different sampling gear yields different collection results. They learned how these species are dependent on healthy seagrass meadows and the importance of safe boating in shallow waters to prevent prop scarring.
After lunch, they explored Three Sisters Springs in the Crystal River, where they encountered huge striped mullet, largemouth bass, sheepshead, and even a resting manatee, which they very respectfully kept their distance from as they snorkeled at the surface.
Back at the Marine Science Station, they hiked up the observation tower to view the estuary and our Marine Science Station Weatherstem system. Then they explored our Aquarium building that houses a wide variety of species and informational displays. Back in the classroom, they journaled the day's events and prepared for tomorrow's adventures!
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Education Foundation

06/16/2026

What a great second day of Coastal Camp Citrus 2026 (Middle School Session 2)! These kids have really honed their snorkeling and animal observation skills. Today in the St. Martins Aquatic Preserve, they explored seagrass meadows, sponge beds, and relict springs in the Gulf! Schools of spadefish, pinfish, spottail pinfish, white grunt, mangrove snapper, lizardfish, and even a nurse shark were observed! Multiple sponge species and some corals were spotted, sea stars collected, and bay scallops caught, observed, and released. One of the highlights was a striped burrfish that was caught by Mr. O'Leary and shared with the students!
After lunch, we all cooled off at Hunters Cove, while also conducting water quality measurements of Hunters Spring. With the high tide conditions, the visibility was poor due to high phytoplankton counts, but they were still able to swim down to get a good luck at the clear water pumping from the aquifer.
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Education Foundation

06/15/2026

Coastal Camp Citrus 2026 Middle School Session 2 kicked off today! Our morning session was conducted up in Kings Bay where the students got used to their snorkeling gear. After lunch and volleyball, they explored the shallow seagrasses and mangrove swamps of our local Suncoast Keys in the Gulf! The big hit was a polkadot batfish, which put a big smile on the campers faces!
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Education Foundation

06/14/2026

If there was a Marine Science Station dictionary, and you looked up the word "joy", this picture would be next to the definition. 😄
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Education Foundation

06/12/2026

Happy Friday! Like views like this? Then follow and like the Marine Science Station Weatherstem weather monitoring system atop our observation tower!
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Education Foundation

Marine Science Station at sunrise and it's 76.2 F.

06/11/2026

We had an AMAZING four days with our campers during the first session of Coastal Camp Citrus 2026. See if you can find your camper in our album below! We hope they had a great time with us! Citrus County School District Citrus County Education Foundation

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

We have some grateful kids at the Marine Science Station this morning! We are so appreciative of our sponsors and partners! You have made a HUGE positive impact in these kids' lives! 💙💚🌊⚓🐡🐟🦈
Citrus County School District Citrus County Education Foundation Kings Bay Rotary Club Southwest Florida Water Management District Crumps Landing Coastal Conservation Association Florida Manatee Eco Tourism Association META TOO FAR Water & Natural Resources Foundation, Inc. Audubon Florida Citrus Sports & Apparel Marty Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund Duke Energy Homosassa River Restoration Project Guy Harvey Foundation John Purdin Louise Martin Purdin Martha George Wiggin Langston James Langston