Mangroves in the Magic City

Nature lovers, break out your waders and dust off your life jackets. You can get to know your local bodies of water on a first-name basis during an afternoon of aquatic activities. Greenies can get their mangrove on with Xavier Cortada’s Reclamation Project and plant 1,100 seedlings on Virginia Key. Now in its fourth year, the project began when Cortada painted abstract, funky-looking seedlings under I-95. This eco-art project aims to create awareness about Miami’s native coastal habitats. Bring sunscreen and old sneakers to trek through the mud, but register first to volunteer by e-mailing john@reclamationproject.net. The time is tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; details will be provided after registration. It takes place at the Virginia Key Beach Park. Visit www.reclamationproject.net to get a bigger picture of this ambitious project.

If you’d rather be more eyes-on than hands-on, you can see the sights along our winding waterway with Paul George of the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. The Magic City got its start on the shores of this once mosquito-infested swamp when Henry Flagler built a luxury hotel in what is now downtown Miami. On George’s Miami River Tour, you can see the ancient Miami Circle, now surrounded by downtown’s towering condos. You’ll hear stories about gutsy pioneers and learn about Miami’s second-busiest shipping port. The tour costs $44 and departs at 10 a.m. from Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Advance payment and registration are required. Call 305-375-1621, or visit www.hmsf.org.
Sun., Sept. 28, 2008