Naturalist Al Squires conducts informative nature programs on the island for resort guests and residents during our winter season, including topics such as Manatee Awareness, Shore Birds, Sea Turtles and more. An alumnus of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Entomology, he is a volunteer specialist for the “Save the Manatee” club and volunteer trainer for the Cedar Point Environmental Park. Al also serves as a volunteer botanical consultant for Myakka State Forest and he is a past president of the Native Plant Society and a recipient of the Green Palmetto Award from the Florida Native Plant Society.

Al has a special email program called “Ask Al,” which encourages young visitors to pose questions to Al about the island’s ecosystem, marine and wildlife. Those questions and Al’s answers will be kept as an island educational program for future visitors.

Click here to ask Al a question.