Florida Partners Supercharge Teacher Workshop at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve

The Takeaway: The long-standing teacher training saw record turnout, furthering environmental education in northeast Florida.

Environmental educators from different organizations, led by Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, hosted a two-day Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) workshop for Florida teachers to explore new curricula, resources, and funding opportunities.

Three people wearing reserve staff uniforms fist bump outside the training building.
Education coordinators from three National Estuarine Research Reserves teamed up to deliver the teacher training. (From left: Bob Gorecki, Apalachicola Reserve; Josephine Spearman, Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve; Sarah Falkowski, Rookery Bay Reserve)

The professional development workshop engaged elementary, middle, and high school teachers with real-world data and resources for bringing conservation and citizen science into the classroom. Although held annually at the reserve for many years, the latest TOTE workshop reached a record number of 99 teachers thanks to support from local partners.

The TOTE program, offered at most of the 30 research reserves, transforms the nation's estuaries into a classroom for educators with nearly 500 teachers participating annually. Teachers can use what they've learned to enhance science education through field trips and ready-made curricula. The program deepens teachers' understanding of estuary science and involves students in monitoring their local environment. It also connects teachers, students, and scientists, offering opportunities to participate in field trips and conservation projects, ultimately transforming coastal communities.

A group of people seated around a table listen to a presenter with images of invertebrates projected on a screen behind.
Teachers learn about invertebrates and water quality during the Guy Harvey Foundation's educator training session. Credit: Guy Harvey Foundation

Since 2024, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve's partnership with the Guy Harvey Foundation has allowed the workshop to expand, increasing the resources and training available to Florida teachers. Rotating one day with the foundation's educator training program and the other day with the TOTE program, teachers participate in hands-on outdoor activities like water quality and marine debris monitoring.

A group of people stand at the edge of a water body while one person kneels to collect a water sample in a container.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection staff lead TOTE participants in a water quality sampling activity.

"The whole thing was truly amazing. I loved the field activities—cultural history, edible plants, migrating marshes, wetland delineation, all of it!" one participant said. "I also loved making connections with other educators for ideas and meeting with conservation organizations to plan for school visits and field trips."

Additional partnerships with organizations including the Apalachicola Reserve, Rookery Bay Reserve, St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Water Warriors have increased teacher participation and retention and introduced new curricula and networking opportunities. With their support, the TOTE program has become a unique and invaluable experience for educators in northeast Florida.

Learn more about the Teachers on the Estuary program and find workshops at a reserve near you. (2026)

Partners: NOAA's Office for Coastal Management, Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Guy Harvey Foundation, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Water Warriors