Randell Research Center welcomes new staff member Cindy Bear
It was recently announced that long-time Pine Island resident Cindy Bear has become the newest staff member of Randell Research Center in Pineland. Following the recent departure of Michael Wylde, Bear will assume the responsibility of managing the book store and lab as well as coordinated tours and special events at Randell Research.
Bear brings with her an extensive history with regard to environmental education. Working alongside Lee County teachers, Bear shared lessons as well as field trips to introduce school-aged children about the local ecosystems.
“I spent many years taking students to various locations throughout Lee County where they learned about the environment and how we have an affect on places such as our estuaries and other ecosystems,” Bear said. “I also supported classroom instruction by suggesting reading materials to teachers of various grade levels. I feel as though it is important for children to learn about the environment for obvious and not so obvious reasons. Learning about the environment not only teaches the children about the important role we play, but also inspires creativity, teaches how resilient nature is and provides them with a compassion for these special places. Among the trips I have taken students on in the past have been several trips to the Calusa Heritage Trail.”
As far as the importance of learning about those who walked this earth before us, Bear also shares her thoughts.
“The lessons we learn from the past are not only to avoid making the same mistakes again, but more so, to learn how important it is to support and rely on each other,” said Bear. “The Calusa are a very good example for which to follow as they lived and worked here together for a very long time. Working together as a society they were able to construct amazing mounds and dig a canal which became a very important trade route for those living on Pine Island more than 2,000 years ago.”
Bear is far from being a stranger at Randell Re-search and had been a volunteer at the facility for many years and in January of this year, she and her husband Charles ex-changed vows on top of the Randell Mound overlooking Pine Island Sound.
Randell research Center relies on donations of time and money to maintain the grounds at both the Ruby Gill House and the Calusa Heritage Trail.
“It is amazing to me that the support we get at Randell Research comes from the whole sweep of the community,” said Bear. “There are so many people dedicated to preserving the Calusa legacy as well as the ecosystems found here on Pine Island.”
Bear has already begun making plans for several activities that will take place during the winter season, including kayak excursions. No stranger to kayaking, 15 years ago Bear founded Gulf Coast Kayaks in Matlacha.
“I will be taking visitors on kayak tours on the Calusa Blueway,” said Bear. “This will be an opportunity to learn more about the Calusa legacy and the ecosystems utilized by that civilization.”
Bear is also planning to offer new guided hikes on the Calusa Heritage Trail that will take visitors to places not normally frequented, as well as what she refers to as Shoreline Saunters and talk about the area and its recent history.
In December, January and February, Bear has arranged for several lectures presented by various specialists as well as hosting workshops for area teachers in the Randell Research classroom.
The highlight of the season, again this year, will be the Calusa Heritage Day to be held in March. During this event, the mounds at the Calusa Trail will be brought to life through walks, song and story telling.
“Those attending the Calusa Heritage Day will learn how the Calusa laughed, lived and struggled here,” Bear said. “This event is always a big draw and has something for the entire family to enjoy.”
For more information about tours or volunteer opportunities at Randell Research Center and the Calusa Heritage Trail, call Bear at 283-2157 or the Ruby Gill House at 283-2062.