PORT ST. LUCIE - Can you think of a hobby that can be enjoyed by the very young and the very old in your family? How about a hobby that challenges both the body and the mind? Better yet, wouldn't the perfect hobby be one that would take you on great adventures or could be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home?

Then give birding a try. It's not just for retirees anymore. Birdwatching is America's fastest growing major form of outdoor recreation. In fact, the number of birders now tops the number of golfers in the U.S, with more than 70 million Americans participating in bird-related activities. And Florida is one of the best destinations to do it. The sunshine state has nearly 400 bird species that occur here, with nearly 200 of those species breeding in Florida. Two major migratory corridors occur in the state, meaning seasonally, our bird populations swell.

The Oxbow Eco-Center, in partnership with St. Lucie Audubon Society, can set you on a journey of life-long fun and learning with a course in Birding for Beginners. The course includes three evening classes at the Oxbow Eco-Center and three field trips on the subsequent weekends. The evening sessions will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 20, Feb. 27 and March 6. Field trips will be led by St. Lucie Audubon on the Saturday mornings following class.

Space in this course is limited. Register today! Cost is $30 per participant. For more information or to register, call Wren Underwood at (772) 785-5833 or send email to underwoe@stlucieco.gov.

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