Friends of the National Park Schedule Nature Events for February
With winter come the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park seminars, an annual series that runs from January through April. Since class size is limited, people should sign up now. The schedule for February is as follows: Submarine Exploration, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 4, aboard Atlantis Submarine. University of the Virgin Islands professor Rick Nemeth will explain the ecology of the coral reef system during a one-hour tour. Meet at the Atlantis Submarine office at Havensight Mall, St. Thomas. Fee is $85 for non-members and $75 for members.
Botanical Hike 9 a.m. to noon, Feb. 8., Botanist Eleanor Gibney leads a hike along the remote road from L'Esperance to Sieben. Learn about St. John's native plants and see the island's only Baobab tree. Meet at Catherineberg Road to carpool with binoculars, water, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Fee is $35 for non-members and $30 for members.
Coral World Boat Trip 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 12. Join park ranger Carrie Stengal on the Limnos V for a trip by boat to Coral World on St. Thomas and a tour of Coral World. The boat stops for snorkeling on the way back to St. John. Meet at the park Visitor's Center dock with swimsuit, lunch if you don't want to buy it at Coral World, sunscreen, and water. Fee is $80 for non-members and $70 for members.
Archaeology Boat Trip along the South Shore 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 18. Park archaeologist Ken Wild takes participants on a prehistory tour with a stop to swim ashore at Reef Bay. Hike to the Reef Bay petroglyphs and explore an old estate and burial ground at Lameshur Bay. Meet at the park Visitor's Center dock with lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, and snorkel gear. Fee is $80 for non-members and $70 for members.
Caneel Bay, 50 years 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Feb. 22. Historian Chuck Pishko looks at the early history of Caneel Bay Resort in honor of its 50th anniversary. Meet at Caneel Bay Resort's parking lot. Fee is $35 for non-members and $30 for members.
Stars and Their Stories 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Feb. 25 at Peace Hill. Astrologer and mythologist Kelly Hunter guides participants through the constellations and various myths of the night sky. Meet at Peace Hill parking lot with binoculars and a blanket. Fee is $25 for members and $20 for non-members.