Crowley Museum & Nature Center

06/19/2026

Friends, this weather is dangerous for people and animals. Especially since we aren't getting the cooling, water hole refreshing afternoon rains. On days with extreme heat advisories or extreme weather, we may only be open a half day, or we may have to close all together. We will announce that here, if and when the time comes. Safety of our staff and volunteers, guests and animals are of the utmost importance.

If you must be outside, please be safe and listen to your body. Light colored, loose fitting clothes and hats, plenty of water and electrolytes, stay in the shade when possible, worn or floor fans in work areas, and keep an eye on each other. Frequent breaks, especially in the air-conditioning are important. If you start feeling ill or strange, go inside and stay, cool off immediately. Pay close attention to the elderly, small children and those with special or medical needs. If severe heat illness occurs call 911 or get the person to an emergency room.

For animals, provide shade at all times of the day, shade with moving air is best. Water should be kept fresh and in the shade as well, available at ALL times and checked at least once daily. Providing minerals is also important. Remember that certain surfaces get very hot for animal feet... metal, concrete, asphalt etc, causing severe burns. Our animals appreciate cold and frozen treats, ice cubes, cooling pools and wallows on hot days. Wildlife appreciate water sources as well.

Please be careful, look out for each other and the other species we share this planet with!

https://donate.flanzertrust.org/donations/crowley-museum-nature-center/

06/18/2026

In today's installment of Wildlife Wednesday, I had to share this sweet tiny bird nest that I found on the ground. I have my suspicions about who made it, but I can't know for sure. Was it the start of a nest that blew away or was unfinished for some other reason? Was it an inner lining that came out? No matter what, it was the most beautiful and perfect little thing, with its palm fibers and feathers.

To support our non profit and have your donation doubled at no cost to you, please go here.

https://donate.flanzertrust.org/donations/crowley-museum-nature-center/

06/12/2026

We bought our yearly Ultra Boss fly spray for the cattle from Tractor Supply. It was very expensive but isn't working much at all on our poor cattle. Does anyone have any suggestions? This stuff is not cheap.

06/09/2026

With sadness we share the passing of our dear and talented friend, Mrs Dawn. She was amazingly intelligent and interesting and a mentor to our own crafty Mrs Cathy Rosebrock. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Dawn M. Kurth, 93 of Nokomis, FL, formerly of Merrill, Wl, passed away on May 31, 2026 under the care of Tidewell Hospice, Sarasota, FL. Dawn was...

06/09/2026

Please meet Mr Alec & Mr Malachi, 2 of our youngest volunteers. On Sunday, they took a break from their weekend Welcome Center duties to mess around outside with a metal detector. Very soon they found...something... Being the responsible guys that they are, they stopped immediately and asked Ms Dixie if it was OK to dig up their find. Heck yes it is! A fun mystery! Carefully they dug, and brushed, and dug more! Slowly, THIS came free! This big, heavy, cool and rusty THING! But, what is it? We know, do you?

To support our mission of hands on and immersive education and have your donation doubled at no cost to you, please go here-

https://donate.flanzertrust.org/donations/crowley-museum-nature-center/

06/06/2026

Ms Yolanda Gangi's weaving class went well today! Small classes mean more hands on instruction time. She has other classes coming, canning, candle making, crochet and more! See the events tab for more folkschool classes! You get a tech free new skill, visiting with new friends and admission to CMNC!

To support our mission of education and have your donation doubled at no cost to you, please go here-

https://donate.flanzertrust.org/donations/crowley-museum-nature-center/

06/02/2026

June Email out for Delivery! Stay in touch by signing up for our digital email!

06/01/2026

In today's installment of Mystery Monday, we present you this recently donated item. You have a front and back view. It was found locally over 50 years ago. What is it?

To donate to our mission of education and have your donation doubled at no additional cost to you please go here-

https://donate.flanzertrust.org/donations/crowley-museum-nature-center/

05/29/2026

There are so many reasons that CMNC is wonderful. One of the most wonderful is that it is a protected habitat for rehabilitated wildlife that can't NOT be returned to it's original home. There are several reasons that an animal may not be able to return, in the case of these 2 sweet box turtles it was complete destruction of their home. The greedy, nearly unrestricted development of the state of Florida is directly responsible for the loss of habitat, suffering and death of countless wild animals. Whether it be neighborhoods, shopping centers, apartments or chemical filled golf courses, wildlife suffer. While there are safe places like CMNC, we can not make up for the thousands of acres lost. Unfortunately development is getting closer and closer to us, too. While we wish that wealthy buyers, developers and the government cared more, we realize this hasn't largely been the case and isn't changing. This form of greed does not acknowledge the suffering of wildlife unless they get caught violating a law, or when they try to do something small, that doesn't even remotely equal what they've ruined, pretending they care in the name of conservation and community. Its usually only for ego or personal image and only after they've done their damage. So of course, they dont hear the cries of the smallest creatures, or the quiet ones, like these two. All we can do is try to spread awareness and offer refuge. That is exactly what we do and we are so happy to work with other people in the community that also care.

If you are interested in donating to our efforts in conservation and having your donation doubled at not additional cost to you, please go here-

https://donate.flanzertrust.org/donations/crowley-museum-nature-center/