PORT ST. LUCIE - The Oxbow Eco-Center, St. Lucie County's environmental learning center, has a variety of events scheduled for May including a canoe trip, a fossil dig, summer camp sign ups and more.

· The Oxbow's Brown Bag Lunch series, held especially for its volunteers, takes place Tuesday, May 8 at noon. Visit the Oxbow staff for the opportunity to learn a little, meet new friends and find out the latest happenings at the county's largest environmental learning center. Lunch will be followed by a video presentation by Oxbow's Program Coordinator Chance Cowan on her Black Bear research experience. The public is encouraged to come by and find out more about volunteering at the Oxbow.

· A "Fossil Dig" will be held on Saturday, May 12 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. as part of the Oxbow's "Nature for Families" event. Come explore Florida's amazing past with a look at local fossils and geology. This program includes a hands-on fossil exhibit. The event is appropriate for ages 5 and up. Please RSVP as space is limited.

· Take a tour of the St. Lucie River on a guided canoe/kayak tour on Saturday, May 19 at 9 a.m. Join an Oxbow naturalist for a leisurely paddle down the St. Lucie River. The cost is $10 per person. Children ages 5-7 are free. Reservations and pre-payment are required. For more details, call (772) 785-5833.

· The Oxbow staff continues to offer guided hikes every Saturday at 10 a.m. An Oxbow naturalist will 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. These guide hikes will be offered through May 12.

· Sign up is underway now for the Oxbow's summer camp programs. The "Junior Naturalist Camp" runs June 4-8 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Biologists in-training will once again be roaming the Oxbow's woods this summer. Campers ages 9-11 are immersed into a world of nature where they hone their naturalist skills by observing and recording their surroundings, as well as learning about the plants and animals that call the Oxbow home. Cost for the week-long camp is $150.

· For the art-lover, the Oxbow offers "Art in Nature Camp" running July 9-13 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. This half-day camp is open to ages 10-14. Students will learn to observe nature and then express themselves through sketching, painting and three-dimensional "junk" art. Cost for the week-long camp is $100.

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

· The Photography Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. All photographers, from novices to experts, are encouraged to attend. Field trips take place the following Saturday.

· The St. Lucie Audubon Society will meet Thursday, May 3 at 7 p.m. with a presentation at 8 p.m. by Al & Gale Parmentier titled: "Up and Down with Birds and Parks."

· The Florida Native Plant Society (Lakela's Mint Chapter) will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, May 8 beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a presentation at 7 p.m. by St. Lucie County Mosquito Control Director Jim David on "Wetland Management."

· St. Lucie Regional Herp Society will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, May 16 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.

###