PORT ST. LUCIE -Kick off the New Year with a HOOT! at the Oxbow Eco-Center by getting a rare close-up look at some of Florida's fabulous owls. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary will bring several of its feathered friends to the Oxbow's Nature at Night event on Friday, Jan. 5 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Visitors can join a moonlit "Owl Prowl" following the presentation and attempt to contact some of our winged creatures on their evening hunts along the Oxbow property.

If bats strike your fancy, Ken Gioeli, with the St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension Service, will lead visitors on a night bat safari. Utilizing bat sonar equipment, Gioeli is able to locate these flying mammals on their nightly bug-collecting feast.

Participants are encouraged to bring flashlights as long as they have a red lens or translucent red tape over the lens. This serves to protect everyone's night vision during the hike.

Eco-Fridays are free. Reservations are only necessary for large groups (five or more). For more information call Heidi Vestrem at (772) 785-5842 or send an e-mail to vestremh@stlucieco.gov

The Oxbow Eco-Center, St. Lucie County's premiere Environmental Learning Center, is situated on 220 acres of land on the St. Lucie River. The Oxbow is located at 5400 N.E. St. James Drive, approximately two miles south of Midway Road, across from the Publix plaza. For more information about our numerous programs available, call (772) 785-5833.

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