Free Nature Therapy- Relax and Rejuvenate at the National Key Deer Refuge

Science is proving that nature has a physiological affect on the human brain, making us healthier, happier, and smarter. Here, Loretta Gallant sketches along the Southeastern edge of National Key Deer Refuge. “Nature has always been my therapy,” says Gallant. “Even as a child it “felt right” to be in that silence and stillness.”  Gallant will help lead an Intro to Nature Sketchbook Journaling workshop, part of the upcoming Outdoor Fest—a week of action-packed days filled with family-friendly, mostly free outdoor adventures and hands-on activities hosted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex and their Friends group FAVOR — set for Saturday, March 11th through Saturday, March 18th. Photo contributed.

Wednesday, March 15:

6:30am-8:30am. Join us for a Sunrise Photography Walk on Long Beach. Bring any camera or cell phone.

9:00am-11:00am. Introduction to Nature Sketchbook Journaling- No artistic talent required, just a desire to discover the joy of expressing yourself through art in nature.

1:00pm-3:00 pm. Keys Kids Outdoors: Butterflies, Dragonflies and other cool insects. An outdoor adventure to seek out and examine the amazing diversity of insects at National Key Deer Refuge.

Thursday, March 16:

10:00-11:30am Fun with Wildlife Origami. Discover origami, the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures. Learn how to make paper cranes and other wildlife species and learn the stories associated with this interesting hobby.

1:00pm-2:30pm Keys Kids Outdoors: Kids Photography Workshop. Escape to the outdoors to stimulate your minds and refresh your sense of adventure. Bring a camera or cell phone.

These events and dozen’s more are part of the 2nd annual Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Outdoor Fest that runs from March 11-18, 2017. Space is limited, so registration is required. For a complete list of events and to register visit www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge/ or call Kristie at 305-304-9625 for more information.

The Outdoor Fest is a week of action-packed days and nights filled with family-friendly, mostly free outdoor adventures and hands-on activities—set for Saturday, March 11th through Saturday, March 18th, created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex and their Friends group FAVOR. It is sponsored in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

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