by Education Coordinator | Jul 15, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
On Pigeon Key, when doing debris cleanups, one of the most commonly found items is fishing gear. Discarded fishing gear is a huge problem for our oceans, as it harms thousands of our favorite marine animals every year through ghost fishing, which happens when animals...
by Education Coordinator | Jun 30, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
The Portuguese Man O’ War, Physalia physalis, is a highly specialized marine organism with fascinating biology and ecology. This species is found in waters all around the world, including in the Florida Keys. The Portuguese Man O’ War is often mistaken for a...
by Education Coordinator | Jun 14, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
In the 1950s, tourists were once able to drive onto Pigeon Key and eat at the old restaurant and tap house, and swim in our pool. The saltwater pool on the south end of the island was built in 1951 during Pigeon Key’s “glory days,” when Pigeon Key was once named “the...
by Education Coordinator | May 31, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet, providing habitats and shelter for countless species in the ocean. Despite making up only 1% of the ocean’s landscape, coral reefs around the world provide a habitat for approximately 25%...
by Education Coordinator | May 15, 2023 | Latest News
The Paint Foreman’s House, a large wood-framed rectangular building, on Pigeon Key was originally built in 1908 as a kitchen, then repurposed to a house in 1912, and is one of the oldest buildings on the island. It featured board-and-batten style shearing on the...
by Education Coordinator | Apr 30, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are large, silvery sport fish commonly found throughout Florida and the Florida Keys. Tarpon can grow up to 8 feet in length, weigh up to 350 pounds, and live over 50 years. It’s no wonder they are called the “silver king!” A...
by Education Coordinator | Apr 15, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
The Florida Keys are home to a wide variety of habitats and marine life. One of the most fascinating, yet understudied habitats in the Florida Keys is the shallow hardbottom, making up approximately 30-40% of South Florida’s coastal waters. The shallow hardbottom...
by Education Coordinator | Mar 30, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
Read on to hear about Anna Roach’s experiences on Pigeon Key so far! Coming into this position as a Marine Science Education Intern, I didn’t have many expectations or know the full extent of the Pigeon Key Foundation. I did my research on their social...
by Education Coordinator | Mar 14, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
The Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari) is a majestic creature that can be seen gliding through the waters here in the Florida Keys as well as tropical waters around the world. They can have wingspan of up to 10 feet and can get to 16 feet in length. Their large...
by Education Coordinator | Feb 24, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
There are many shark species that can be found in South Florida, but one we often encounter around Pigeon Key is the Bonnethead shark. These sharks can be found on both coasts of North America and their habitats include sandy mud flats and shallow waters. Not only can...
