Continuing Education

A Long Tradition at Archbold

Archbold Biological Station caters to a wide variety of continuing education opportunities – from lectures, seminars, guided tours, meetings, workshops and special interest programs to the nature trail, visitor kiosk, web site and Station brochure - in efforts to disseminate findings fed by its extensive long-term scientific research.

Lectures and Seminars: Since the mid-1950s, Station staff and visiting scientists have been giving numerous off-site lectures about science and conservation to clubs, organizations, and societies, locally and throughout Florida and the United States. Scientific seminars at Archbold have been given by staff and visiting scientists since the early 1980s. Established in 1987, a formal seminar program (15-20 seminars/year) with invited speakers from across North America and abroad, continues to be offered to Archbold staff, visiting scientists and the general public in the Station’s 60-seat auditorium. The biannual seminar schedule lists upcoming research seminars.

Guided Tours: Station talks and tours are available , upon request, for visiting college groups, organizations, K-12 school groups and the general public with a group size of 10 or more. These talks and tours, given by Archbold’s education and research staff, can be tailored to include information on Archbold’s rich history, scientific research and natural history of the unique Florida scrub habitat. Please contact the Education Office for more details.

Meetings and Workshops: Because of its central location in Florida, its accommodations and habitats, and its scientific facilities and staff, the Station is a favorite venue for small- or medium-size scientific meetings and agency training workshops. The Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy often conducts natural resources management workshops at Archbold.

Special Interest Programs: The Station often gives tailored programs here on the premises to special interest groups – Florida Humanities Council, Florida Master Naturalists, Florida Master Gardeners, Florida Audubon Chapters, Sierra Club, etc. – that focus on specific topics requested. To discuss or schedule such a program, please contact the Education Office.

Nature Trail: For adult groups, a ½ mile nature trail, "Scrub Discovery," was developed in 1988 by Station biologists, Shirley Denton and Mark Deyrup, to augment the regular Station tour. This trail, showcasing the unique Florida scrub ecosystem, is open to the general public, seven days a week during daylight hours. An illustrated nature trail guide is available at the Visitor kiosk or Main Office. Visitors are also invited to watch Islands in Time, an 18-minute video about the Lake Wales Ridge during their visit. NOTE: Station policy requires all visitors to complete, sign and submit an Archbold release of liability form prior to using the facilities. These forms are available at the Visitor Kiosk or Main Office.

Visitor Kiosk: A visitor information kiosk is readily accessible to all visitors at the north end of the Main Grounds. This kiosk offers information on what options and facilities (nature trail, picnic tables, restrooms, parking, etc.) are open to visitors. For those wishing to hike the nature trail, an illustrated nature trail guide is available at the kiosk and Main Office. This 22-page "Visitor Guidebook" offers an introduction to the Station's buildings, history, and Archbold activities, with main grounds natural history, as well as a trail guide. The trail guide is available online with descriptions and photos.

Web Site: Since its inception in March, 1997, the Station’s web site has been continually revised and augmented with information about Archbold activities in science, land management, conservation, and environmental education. Effective March 2010, Archbold is proud to introduce its newly revamped, user-friendly web site with even more research, regional conservation, land management, and environmental education sections.

Station Brochure. Archbold’s fold-out Visitor Guide, developed in 2007, gives a concise account of Archbold’s history, facilities, research, land management, education, conservation and more, along with a location map of Archbold Biological Station, Agro-ecology Research Center (BIR) and The Reserve. This guide is available to all Station visitors or by mail, upon request.