New environmental education center to open at Robinson Preserve Feb. 16th
MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department will host a Feb. 16 opening of the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology (The Mosaic NEST), a beautiful new elevated tree house education center featuring classrooms for environmental programs offered later this year.
The Mosaic NEST will open at Robinson Preserve South on Friday, Feb. 16 from 4-6 p.m. with a ribbon cutting, guided tours of the NEST, nature-themed activities and sneak peek tours of the new expansion at Robinson Preserve. Refreshments will be provided by Mosaic and Willis Smith.
The NEST is surrounded by 150 acres of the Robinson Preserve expansion, which, when completed, will include canoe and kayak launches, mangrove islands, a 5k track, a jogging and walking trail, freshwater ponds for a sport fish nursery, restored wetlands and a connection to the existing preserve. The property was acquired for the County by the Conservation Foundation through funding by the Mosaic Company Foundation.
“The Mosaic NEST represents a community effort to imagine, design, and build a one-of-a-kind learning environment in northwest Bradenton,” said Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Volunteer and Education Division Manager Melissa Nell. "The site's new programming, launching this fall, will offer educational programs and special events that will help participants gain a better understanding of wild Florida and coastal Manatee County. We are extremely excited to bring this resource to our County's residents and visitors.”
To access the event, please enter Robinson Preserve South through the gate at the corner of 9th Avenue Northwest and 99th Street Northwest. Parking will be available inside of the new expansion property.
Robinson Preserve’s gates open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Entrances are at the western end of 17th Avenue Northwest in Bradenton and on the south side of Manatee Avenue west of the Perico Island Bridge.
If you'd like to attend, please email your RSVP to melissa.nell@mymanatee.org.
