karen@aroundbend.com
We
offer outdoors tours, classes, field trips, and day camps
in parks and on the water for groups of all ages.
Our Mission is to give a sense of Florida as “home”
by hearing
the stories of the land and learning the science of sustainability.
...and to encourage greater
appreciation of Florida’s rich history and conservation of
Florida’s wildlands for future generations of people,
native plants and
animals.
Karen
Fraley
Owner/Naturalist
Karen has been
teaching and developing natural science programs since 1993, drawing on her 20
years experience in environmental and agricultural research. She has a
B.S. in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. Karen
started Around the Bend Nature Tours as a sole proprietor in 1999 and became
an LLC in 2008. She loves to share the Florida Story...
Russell
Owens
Master Naturalist
Russell has been
sharing his considerable knowledge of native plants with our field trip
programs. Retiring after 25 years with the University of Florida Gulf
Coast Research Center,
Russell has an A.A. from Manatee Community
College
with USF coursework in Systematic Botany.
Stephanie
Kubilius
NAI Heritage
Guide
Stephanie
combines her degree in Geography from Georgia State University with her love
of history. She developed Eating History as a course that
teaches History, Culture, and Geography, while stimulating the senses with the
smells, sounds, textures and flavors of simply prepared ethnic foods.
Stephanie has adapted this course for great student and family experiences
with Around the Bend Nature Tours!
Emma Mason
Master Naturalist
Emma brings us 20 years of experience in
Scouting. With Girl Scouts she completed many leadership training
courses and was a leader trainer. Emma has organized summer encampments
with over 300 girls. Emma was the first woman assistant Scout Master
with the Boy Scouts Council of South Florida. She is a Certified Florida
Master Naturalist completing all 3 University of Florida Modules. Emma
is a favorite guide with all ages!
Greta Man
Master Naturalist
Greta has traveled extensively all over the world observing nature. Greta has been a volunteer with various children’s programs in Pinellas County since moving to Florida in 1991. She is a Certified Florida Master Naturalist completing all 3 Ecosystem Modules through the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences. Ask Greta about Native American Technology - if she hasn't already asked you!
Shawn Carper
Marine Naturalist
Shawn has a Masters in Marine
Botany from University of Hawaii – she can answer your dip net questions!
She worked as a field biologist for the National Park Service in Hawaii
doing lots of snorkeling, diving and indentifying.
The past 5 years she has owned and operated Kumon Math and Reading Center
tutoring students of all ages, and before that she substituted in the
Manatee County School system for 9 years. Shawn loves getting wet with
Around the Bend!
Rick Meyers
Naturalist
Rick has been teaching science and environmental education in Florida since 1973. He has been active with many local, state and national environmental groups through the years including the SWFWMD Basin Board and the Manatee County School District, initiating their environmental program in 1984. Rick always enjoys bringing his understanding of Florida's nature and heritage to those who choose to walk "Around the Bend".
Go
Wild! And hear
the Florida Story...