PORT ST. LUCIE - The Oxbow Eco-Center, St. Lucie County's environmental learning center, has numerous events scheduled for March for people of all ages, including workshops on bats, guided hikes, birding classes and more.

· "Nature at Night" will feature a "bat-tastic" evening Friday, March 2 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., as specialists explain the importance of these nocturnal noshers, which can eat up to 3,000 insects each night. The event is free, but reservations are required as space is limited.

· The "Wake-Up Lecture Series" presents "Green Roofs Come to Life" Saturday, March 3 at 11 a.m. with Mike Hardin, a research associate at the University of Central Florida, who will discuss "Living Roofs." These unique systems provide excellent insulation to help in the energy efficiency of a home. Additionally by creating a garden on your roof, you help improve the water quality of surrounding wetlands by filtering water before it reaches the ground. The event is free, but reservations are required as space is limited.

· A global GPS scavenger hunt will be held at the Oxbow on Saturday, March 10 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. as part of the Oxbow's "Nature for Families" event. Geocaching is a program that includes an introduction to Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS), instruction on the operation of a Garmin GPS unit and a scavenger hunt to find an official Geocache located on the Oxbow property. For more details visit: www.geocaching.com. The event is free, but reservations are required as space is limited. This event is appropriate for ages 8 and up.

· The Oxbow staff and the St. Lucie Audubon Society will offer "Birding for Beginners" through a two-part series Friday, March 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. - noon. The cost is $30 per person. Field trips will be held each Saturday following the class.

· The Oxbow staff continues to offer guided hikes every Saturday at 10 a.m. Join an Oxbow naturalist as they lead visitors along a series of trials, discussing the plants and wildlife that live in the different habitats along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.

Additionally, several club meetings and programs are also held at the Oxbow Eco-Center:

· The St. Lucie Audubon Society will meet Thursday, March 1 at 7 p.m. with Master Gardeners Rita Sinn & Les Whidon, who will discuss Florida's native plants.

· The Photography Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. All photographers, from novices to experts, are encouraged to attend. Field trips take place the following Saturday.

· The Florida Native Plant Society (Lakela's Mint Chapter) will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 13 beginning at 6 p.m.

· St. Lucie Regional Herp Society will hold it monthly meeting Wednesday, March 21 at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend and learn more about snakes, lizards, frogs and other reptiles.

For more information about all Oxbow Eco-Center events call the staff at (772) 785-5833 or visit www.stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow. Situated on a 220-acre preserve on the North Folk of the St. Lucie River, the Oxbow offers a rare glimpse of "the real Florida" with nature trails, boardwalks, observation towers and an interactive environmental learning center. Located at 5400 N.E. St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie (across from the Publix Shopping Center), the Oxbow's trails are open from dawn until dusk, while the education center is open Tuesday through Friday 1-5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m.

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