DEP LAUNCHING 18TH SITE FOR LIFE PROGRAM AT CEDAR KEY STATE RESERVE

CEDAR KEY- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection`s (DEP) Office of Environmental Education (OEE) is launching the state`s 18th Learning in Florida`s Environment (LIFE) Program site in Levy County on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.
The launch event will take place at Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve. The Cedar Key school conducted its first field experience at Atsena Otie Key in October, which officially began the project.
From 8:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. up to 50 students will participate in their second field experience with labs focusing on ecosystem ingredients, soil horizons and land cover classification. After completing the field lab, students will be able to identify distinguishing characteristics of land cover types.
Project partners in attendance, including Levy County Schools Superintendent Robert Hastings and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) representative Tiffany Black, will sign a partnership agreement and observe the students in action throughout the day.
Future field experiences for this LIFE program site include a field experience conducted by FWC`s Division of Marine Fisheries.
Participants are encouraged to wear long pants, close-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for the field experience.
Event Includes:
Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
Jan. 26, 2012, 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
8312 SW 125th Court
Cedar Key, FL 32625
(352) 543-5567
About the Office of Environmental Education
The Office of Environmental Education is the lead office for programs seeking to build environmental literacy in Florida with special emphasis on students and teachers. The OEE program includes three main initiatives: 1) the Learning in Florida`s Environment program, 2) the Florida Green School Network, and 3) Outreach in support of the Department`s core mission. These program areas provide real-world opportunities for learners and educators that combine Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields that promote career paths for employment in the increasingly complex field of environmental protection.

About the LIFE Program
The Learning in Florida`s Environment or LIFE program is an award winning initiative that brings middle school students and teachers on to public conservation lands to learn science using the environment as the context for hands-on lab investigations.