Scott Fais, Florida On A Tankful
Have you ever visited the beach, only to see something in the water or step on something suspicious?
There’s one nationally renowned place that demystifies the deep.
The Smithsonian in Washington holds some of the nation's treasures, while 940 south awaits the Smithsonian Marine Station on Florida's Treasure Coast.
"We are a field station of the Museum of Natural History," said Laura Diederick, a marine biology educator with the Smithsonian.
Here, Florida's living waterways are on display.
"We have a coral reef ecosystem, mangroves, sea grass, things you would find right on the Indian River Lagoon and near shore waters," said Diederick.
Diederick is entrusted to care for the six model ecosystems found here.
"We very much want to represent what you would find in a natural ecosystem," said Diederick.
The coral reef exhibit first went on display in the 1980s in Washington. After 20 years, it moved south.
"It's all the real deal," said Diederick.
It's not showing its age. Just the opposite. It's showing its livelihood.
"We do have to forewarn people when we are giving them tours, the aquarium has not lost its maintenance man recently, the matter that is in the water, the algae that is on the walls, it is there for a reason," said Diederick.
Also here, visitors can relax on benches, while step stools aid the youngest visitor when peering inside. But the biggest attraction lives inside a counter.
"The first question people as is, 'Does it bite?' 'Can it hurt me?' I can assure you, we're not going to put anything in our touch tank that is going to hurt you," said Diederick.
It's a reasonable question when urchins are covered in spines and peppermint shrimp like to nibble on the dirt found on children's fingers.
The oddest creature you can cuddle with is the gray sea cucumber.
"If somebody walks out of here thinking, ‘Wow. That was really neat,' then we did our job," said Diederick.
To see more Florida on a Tankful stories, go to Central Florida On Demand at no cost. Visit channel 300 on your digital cable, select Entertainment/Travel and then scroll over to Florida on a Tankful.
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Smithsonian Marine Station
Where:
South Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce, just off Highway A1A on the east side of the south causeway bridge.
Phone:
(772) 462-FISH
Address:
420 Seaway Drive
Fort Pierce, FL 34949-3138
Admission:
Adults: $2
Children: $1
Seniors: $1.50
Tuesdays are Free!
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Parking:
Parking is free in marked spaces.
Web site:
http://www.sms.si.edu/
Directions from Downtown Orlando Area:
Expect a 2 hour drive
Total Distance from Orlando: 122 miles
From your part of Central Florida, jump on the Florida Turnpike. Merge onto Florida's Turnpike South. You’ll take the Turnpike toward Miami. You’ll stay on the ‘Pike for roughly 100 miles
Take the SR-70 exit, Exit 152. Signs will read toward “Ft. Pierce/ Okeechobee.” There will be several places to eat at this exit or use a bathroom.
At the bottom of the ramp, turn right onto Okeechobee Road (also known as FL-70 East). Continue to follow FL-70 East for 4.7 miles.
Turn left onto U.S. 1 North, also known as FL-5 North. You’ll be on this road for 2.0 miles
Turn right onto Seaway Drive (also labeled as FL-A1A and Avenue F). Continue to follow Seaway Drive over the high bridge.
Once on the other side, you’ll do a sharp left turn into the parking lot. The building is not marked all that well. Look for the colorful tile benches in front of the building.
Note: The research center is on the right side of Seaway Drive. It is behind a locked gate and not open to the public. The Marine Station open to visitors is on the left side of the Seaway Drive as you come over the causeway. If you pass the fire station, you’ve gone too far.
End at 420 Seaway Dr.