JS #591 - Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center (Dry Tortugas National Park Visitor Center)
10-21-17
Florida Keys Minute: Eco-Discovery Center Key West
The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West Florida is a FREE journey into the world of the native plants and animals of the Keys, both on land and underwater.
The center is a fascinating, interactive experience that will increased awareness and appreciation of the need to protect and conserve the ecosystem of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Explore 6,000 square feet of interactive and dynamic exhibits including a mock-up of Aquarius, the world's only underwater ocean laboratory.
The Mote Marine Laboratory Living Reef exhibit, includes a 2,500-gallon reef tank with living corals and tropical fish, a live Reef Cam, and other displays that highlight the coral reef environment.
Watch “Reflections of the Florida Keys,” by renowned filmmaker Bob Talbot.
Visit the following website to find out more and make sure to explore the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West in the Florida Keys.
Key West - If here check out the Eco Discovery Center (it's FREE)
KeysTV com Florida Keys Key West Eco Discovery Center
Video of the Florida Eco Discovery Center
KeysTV.com Florida Keys Key West - Eco Discovery Center
Florida Keys and Key West Video Travel Guide
Exciting Streaming Videos, Informative Websites, Downloadable Brochures, Interactive Maps, Plus Value Savings Coupons!
Our very own expert hosts take you behind the scenes for first look access into accommodations, arts, attractions, boating, bridal, dining, diving, en
Eco-Discovery Center :: http://floridakeys.noaa.gov
Enter the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center and take a journey into the world of the native plants and animals of the Keys, both on land and underwater. @
Places to see in ( Key West - USA )
Places to see in ( Key West - USA )
Key West, a U.S. island city, is part of the Florida Keys archipelago. It's also Florida's southernmost point, lying roughly 90 miles north of Cuba. Famed for its pastel-hued, conch-style houses, it’s a cruise-ship stop also accessible from the mainland via the Overseas Highway. It’s known more for its coral reefs – destinations for diving and snorkeling – than for its beaches.
Key West is the far frontier, edgier and more eccentric than the other keys, and also far more captivating. At its heart, this 7-sq-mile island feels like a beautiful tropical oasis, where the moonflowers bloom at night and the classical Caribbean homes are so sad and romantic it’s hard not to sigh at them.
While it has obvious allure, it's not without its contradictions. On one side of the road, there are literary festivals, Caribbean villas, tropical dining rooms and expensive art galleries. On the other, an S&M fetishist parade, frat boys passing out on the sidewalk and grizzly bars filled with bearded burnouts. With all that in mind, it's easy to find your groove in this setting, no matter where your interests lie. As in other parts of the Keys, nature plays a starring role here, with some breathtaking sunsets – cause for nightly celebration down on Mallory Sq.
The earliest Key West neighborhoods, on the western part of the island, are broadly known as Old Town. The Key West Historic District includes the major tourist destinations of the island, including Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Truman Annex and Fort Zachary Taylor. Old Town is where the classic bungalows and guest mansions are found. Bahama Village, southwest of Whitehead Street, features houses, churches, and sites related to its Afro-Bahamian history. The Meadows, lying northeast of the White Street Gallery District, is exclusively residential.
Key West, the southernmost point in the United States, is famous for watersports, lively nightlife, beaches, historic sites and its pastel, conch-style architechture. Duval Street, one of the most energetic strips of shops, bars and cafes anywhere, offers Sloppy Joe’s bar, a favorite Key West hangout of novelist Ernest Hemingway. And, for the more sober-minded, there's Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
A lot to see in Key West such as :
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Southernmost Point of the Continental US
Duval Street
Mallory Square
Fort Zachary Taylor
Key West
Smathers Beach
Truman Little White House
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Conch Republic
Key West Lighthouse
Key West Aquarium
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Key West Shipwreck Museum
Higgs Beach
West Martello Tower
Key West Cemetery
Fort East Martello Museum
Whitehead Street
Key West Express
Tours Key West
Caroline Street
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
Sunset Key
Key West Art & Historical Society
Sebago Key West
Simonton Street
Edward B. Knight Pier
Custom House
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium
Key West First Legal Rum Distillery
The Custom House
The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea
Sebago Watersports
Fleming Street
USCGC Ingham Maritime Museum
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden
Florida Keys
Oldest House in Key West
Sand Key Lighthouse
Dog Beach
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
Sigsbee Park
North Roosevelt Boulevard
( Key West - USA ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Key West . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Key West - USA
Join us for more :
December 14 - The Contract for the Building of the Key West Custom House was Awarded
As Key West became increasingly wealthy, the four story architectural marvel known as the Custom House was built, and it is a perfect example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. It's easily one of the most beautiful buildings in Key West and the crown jewel of the island.
Despite the difficulties and delays in construction, the Custom House opened in April of 1891. Built at a total cost of $107,955 - and that was almost $30,000 over the budget.
The Key West climate took an immediate toll on the building and the salty air eroded parts of it. The Hurricanes of 1909, 1910, and 1920 caused considerable damage to the brick building.
The new building housed Key Wesr customs offices, the District Court and the post office. When it first opened, the building was occupied on the first floor by the postal and custom services, with the second floor containing the courtroom and court offices, while the lighthouse inspector and other government officials were housed on the third floor. During its prime the Custom House heard thousands of cases and judgments ranging from rum runners to ship salvaging claims. The most significant proceedings dealt with the sinking of the US Maine in Havana Harbor, which ultimately led to the Spanish American War.
As the decades passed, the Customs House saw a decrease in use. In the 1930s, the customs offices, the District Court and the post office all moved to new facilities. The Navy moved some of its personnel into the building into a utilitarian office space, they dropped the ceiling and turned the large gracious rooms into small functional offices. The beautifully arched wrap-around porch was also enclosed to create additional workspace.
Despite the fact that in 1973, the Custom House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Navy eventually decided to abandon the building. With all of its former tenants relocated, the Custom House was sealed, fenced off and left a feral cats, transients and just general decay. In 1976, after being declared a Historic Custom House by the Treasury Department, the structures ownership title was given to the city of Key West.
Throughout the 1980s, the custom houses future remained in doubt. Various plans were drafted, which saw the historic building being converted into a yacht club and at one point even to an upscale resort. Ultimately after being sold in 1991 to the Florida Land Acquisition Advisory Council. The Key West Art and Historical Society undertook the restoration of the dilapidated building. In 1993, historic renovations began on the building under the supervision of lead architect Bert Bender. What had originally cost less than $110,000 to build in four years, now cost nearly $9 million to renovate over nine years. Restoration of the building followed historical preservation guidelines and used original construction materials. The building required modernization in order to accommodate a public museum and offices. This required the installation of additional stairwells and elevator, temperature control climates, archival rooms, offices and facilities to accommodate over 300,000 visitors a year. With restorations completed in 1999, the Key West Art and Historical Society reopened the beautiful Custom House as the crown jewel of Key West
And it was today December the 14th, 1888, that the contract for the Custom House at the end of Whitehead Street was awarded. The structure was completed three years later and occupied in the latter part of 1891.
And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West was History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our glorious past here on the Florida Keys and our future visit
This program as well as others are also available as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa to play today in Key West history as my flash briefing.
Sanctuary Classic Key West Kick-Off
The Sportfishing Conservancy is proud to present the 2012 Sanctuary Classic Kick-Off held in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Eco-Discovery Center in Key West, Florida.
Honored speakers included Nancy Sutley from the White House's Council on Environmental Quality along with Eric Schwabb from the Department of Commerce Sanctuary Superintendent Sean Morton hosted the event.
The Sportfishing Conservancy is again proud to work with Anglers for Conservation and their Hooked Kids on Fishing program. We would like to thank National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA Fisheries along with all of our sponsors for their support.
Learn more at
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Florida Keys Activities EXPLORE, RELAX & EXPERIENCE
Activities & Attractions - Explore, RELAX & Experience, The Florida Keys, Everglades & Miami from our Holiday Vacation Rental in the Fabulous Florida Keys.....
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is celebrating its 25th year of protecting the 2,900 nautical miles waters that surround the Florida Keys’ island chain.
It’s a big job to preserve a marine world that features a spectacular and unique ecosystem with shallow seagrass beds, mangrove-fringed islands and the world’s third-largest barrier coral reef that collectively support more than 6,000 species, as well as being the final resting spot of culturally important shipwrecks -- some that date back centuries.
You can learn more about the Sanctuary at floridakeys.noaa.gov.
Overview on Key West beach and city from the harbour
Overview on Key West beach and city from the harbour
Key West, Florida, U.S. A.
Key West, Florida
Key West, a U.S. island city, is part of the Florida Keys archipelago. It's also Florida's southernmost point, lying roughly 90 miles north of Cuba. Famed for its pastel-hued, conch-style houses, it’s a cruise-ship stop also accessible from the mainland via the Overseas Highway. It’s known more for its coral reefs.
It is an island and city in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent. The city lies at the southernmost end of U.S. Route 1, the longest north-south road in the United States. Key West is the southernmost city in the contiguous United States and the westernmost island connected by highway in the Florida Keys. The island is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 1 mile .
Key West is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale television market. It is served by rebroadcast transmitters in Key West and Marathon that repeat the Miami-Fort Lauderdale stations. Comcast provides cable television service. DirecTV and Dish Network provide Miami-Fort Lauderdale local stations and national channels.
The Key West area has 11 FM radio stations, 4 FM translators, and 2 AM stations.
Things Not To Miss in Key West
• Watching the sunset (and theatrics) at Mallory Square
• Seeing the cats and literary relics at Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
• Exploring the Eco-Discovery Center
• Seeing the underwater life while snorkeling, or taking a dolphin or glass-bottom boat tour
• Catching a cabaret drag show at La Te Da
• Eating an authentic slice of key lime pie
• Taking a day trip, by boat or seaplane, to Dry Tortugas National Park
Nature Center in the Florida Keys
360 Pan of coast from Nature Center in Florida Keys
KeysTV.com Florida Keys and Key West - Pirates in Paradise
Florida Keys and Key West Video Travel Guide
Exciting Streaming Videos, Informative Websites, Downloadable Brochures, Interactive Maps, Plus Value Savings Coupons!
Our very own expert hosts take you behind the scenes for first look access into accommodations, arts, attractions, boating, bridal, dining, diving, entertainment, events, fishing, kids, news, realtors, shopping, tourism and watersports
10 Things to do in Key West, Florida
1. Old Town Trolley & Conch Train Tour;
2. Walk on Duval Street;
3. Watch the Sunset;
4. Ernest Hemingway House & Museum;
5. mallory Square;
6. Go to local seafood restaurant;
7. Shipwreck Treasure Museum;
8. Southernmost Point Buoy;
9. Stay in local hotel;
10. Rent scooter, bike or electronic car.
Visit my travel guide:
WWW.MIAMINMORE.COM
New $330 Million Road to the Florida Keys Open
A new $330 million road connecting the South Florida mainland with the Florida Keys is finished and opened.
The new 18-Mile Stretch is a segment of U.S. Highway 1 between Florida City and Key Largo.
Officials said the new road features numerous safety, environmental and aesthetic enhancements for residents and visitors.
A concrete median barrier, painted Belize blue as recommended by marine life artist Wyland, stretches almost the entire length of the road and is already reducing the number of serious vehicular accidents.
Number one is safety and we will be able to eliminate 10 to 14 critical accidents a year, said Gus Pego, Florida Department of Transportation's District 6 Secretary.
Environmental features include almost 20 culverts and underpasses for animals such as crocodiles and Florida panthers to cross safely under the road. Elimination of a land causeway that once bisected Lake Surprise has restored natural water flow to Florida Bay. Outside shoulders and berms were built to prevent road pollutants from washing into Florida Bay.
The project's iconic element, the 1.25-mile-long, 65-foot-high Jewfish Creek Bridge, completed in May 2008, has created a more impressive visual driving approach to the Florida Keys.
The new 'Stretch' has completely changed the driving experience into the Florida Keys, said Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers, who is also a member of the region's tourism council. Not only is it much safer, but when you come over the top of the new Jewfish Creek Bridge, the panoramic vista you see takes your breath away.
OceanSpeak: Environmental Issues in the Keys
A presentation given by Mellie Lewis in the Ecodiscovery Center in the Florida Keys in December 2010 explaining the Environmental Issues associated with human interactions with the Ocean. This program is part of the OceanSpeak project ( and funded by an Environmental Literacy grant from NOAA's Office of Education.
Top 11. Best Aquariums in Florida - United States
Top 11. Best Aquariums in Florida - United States: SeaWorld Orlando, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Sarasota, Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, Gulf World Marine Park Panama City Beach, Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters Marathon, The Florida Aquarium Tampa, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Orlando, Swim with the Fishes St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Miami Seaquarium Key Biscayne, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Fort Walton Beach
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
An engaging and colorful explanation of the history of Florida Keys' journey from a relatively limited Sanctuary to a large expanse of the delicate coral reefs coming under protection and preservation of the National Marine Sanctuary System. As the one of the world's largest coral reef habitats this area, once subjected to turmoil and degradation has begun to flourish and exhibit the beauty and intricate balance of its past.Another great example of the need for protection and preservation of our Ocean's resources for future generations.