PORT ST. LUCIE - The Oxbow Eco-Center, St. Lucie County's environmental learning center, has several events scheduled for March, including kayak tours, children's activities and weekly hikes.

· The Oxbow's "Wake-Up Lecture Series" presents "Sustainable Agriculture" on Saturday, March 1 at 11 a.m. Guest speaker Christine Kelly-Begazo is the extension director for Indian River County, where she coordinates the educational outreach programs for the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). This lecture is free and open to the public. Shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee is provided, just remember to bring your mug.

· The Oxbow staff will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 6 at 3 p.m. for its new St. Lucie River exhibit. Phase I of the centerpiece takes visitors on a fish-eyed journey down the North Fork of the St. Lucie River from its historical headwaters, through its brackish body, and ultimately to the estuary and lagoon. The exhibit was made possible through the support of St. Lucie County, Cargill Industries and the St. Lucie River Issues Team.

· The Oxbow's "Nature At Night" will focus on bats on Friday, March 7 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Join Cyndi Marks of The Florida Bat Conservancy as she shares her love of these bug-eating machines. After the program, seek out this nocturnal creature with the help of our "bat-detecting" devices and the expertise of local bat expert, Ken Gieoli of the St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension Office. The cost is $3 per participant. Advanced tickets are required, and are available in the Oxbow gift store or by phone with a major credit card. Ticket purchases are non-refundable and seats are limited.

· The Oxbow's "Nature for Families" will present "Florida Explorers" on Saturday, March 8 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Learn how the different Native American Tribes and Colonists adapted to the Florida wilderness. Appropriate for ages 6 and up. The cost is $3 per person. Advanced tickets are required, and are available in the Oxbow gift store or by phone with a major credit card. Ticket purchases are non-refundable and seats are limited.

· The Oxbow staff offers scenic guided canoe/kayak tours along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River on Saturday, March 15 starting at 9 a.m. Paddlers will launch from White City Park and cruise down the river to the backside of the Oxbow property, possibly passing turtles, wading birds and even alligators. The cost is $15 per person. Children 5-7 are free. Pre-registration/pre-payment is required.

· Guided hikes continue at the Oxbow every Saturday at 10 a.m. Join an Oxbow naturalist as they lead visitors along a series of trails, 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 held at the Oxbow Eco-Center:

· The Photography Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 6 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, March 7 at 7 p.m. with Amy Dahan of Heathcote Botanical Gardens, who will present "Gardening for the Birds."

· The Florida Native Plant Society (Lakela's Mint Chapter) will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker Carole Scheuffele will discuss butterflies.

· St. Lucie Regional Herpetological Society will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend and learn more about snakes, lizards and other reptiles.

In addition to the various scheduled events, the Oxbow's trails are open every day from dawn until dusk, while the education center is open Tuesday through Friday from 1-5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m. Situated on a 225-acre preserve on the North Fork 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.

The Oxbow is located at 5400 N.E. St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie (across from the Publix Shopping Center). For more information call the staff at (772) 785-5833 or visit www.stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow.

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