NAPLES (Oct. 1) – The inaugural “Rookery Bay Road Rally” will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6 starting at 10 a.m. from Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive. Participants in their own vehicles will leave at one-minute intervals and follow route directions that take them along the boundaries of the 110,000-acre Rookery Bay Research Reserve, which encompasses 40 percent of Collier County’s coastline.
The untimed event includes fun quiz show-style questions to answer about things seen along the two-hour route as well as optional activities to get out and do at some of the checkpoints. The rally ends at an exciting, undisclosed location for prize distribution and other optional activities.
The entry fee is $40 for personal vehicles or $10 per person for groups in commercial vans or buses. All participants receive free passes to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center and Naples Botanical Garden that are valid for one year. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Rookery Bay, which supports the education, conservation and research work conducted by Rookery Bay Research Reserve staff.
Register online at rookerybay.org or call 239-530-5972.
“Our new road rally is a great way to social distance, explore Rookery Bay Research Reserve and raise funds for our coastal environment,” said Athan Barkoukis, Friends of Rookery Bay Executive Director. “The interactive event is designed to engage the whole family, with ways for kids to learn about nature, math, geography and reading comprehension while having fun.”
The Rookery Bay Road Rally is sponsored by GreenLinks Golf Villas at Lely Resort, Rising Tide Explorers, Florida Weekly, Life in Naples, and Naples Botanical Garden. Sponsorships are available by contacting director@friendsofrookerybay.org or calling 239-530-5972.
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