Written by Emily Colson, Communications Specialist at UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station

The UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) is excited to welcome the community back for our annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 552 First St., Cedar Key, FL 32625. This free, family-friendly event is part of the Cedar Key Seafood Festival weekend, making it the perfect chance to celebrate both science and local culture.

Last year’s Open House was canceled as the community focused on hurricane recovery. Now, we are thrilled to reopen the facility and once again invite visitors inside to explore, learn, and connect with Florida’s coastal science.

A Community Science Celebration

Guests will enjoy interactive touch tanks, hands-on science booths, a scavenger hunt, and family games, along with the chance to meet UF/IFAS researchers and partners who are working across the Nature Coast and beyond.

In addition to UF/IFAS scientists, this year’s Open House will feature booths from:

• UF Marine Animal Rescue
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
• UF Center for Coastal Solutions
• FSU Coastal & Marine Lab
• UF Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
• Florida Sea Grant
• And many more!

Building on Past Success

When NCBS hosted Open House events in the past, hundreds of visitors explored the station’s labs, interacted with scientists, and even got up close with sea creatures in our touch tanks. Families enjoyed outdoor games and scavenger hunts, while adults learned about everything from fisheries and oyster restoration to seagrass health and coastal resilience.

These events highlight the unique role NCBS plays in connecting science to the community. By opening our doors, we invite the public to see firsthand how research supports both people and nature along Florida’s Nature Coast.

This Year’s Highlights

The 2025 Open House will feature:

• Research updates directly from UF/IFAS and partner scientists
• Interactive booths with marine life and conservation activities
• Touch tanks filled with creatures from local waters
• A scavenger hunt and outdoor activities designed for kids and families

Plan Your Visit

When: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station, 552 First St., Cedar Key, FL 32625

Entry details: Free and open to the public.

Come celebrate the Cedar Key Seafood Festival, and make sure to stop by the NCBS Open House to explore science, meet researchers and partners, and enjoy family-friendly activities.

We are so excited to welcome you back!

Featured image credit: UF/IFAS NCBS Photo by Emily Colson

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