NOAA opened the doors to the brand-new, 6,400-square-foot Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center on Jan. 13, 2007 treating visitors to an exciting array of interactive exhibits highlighting the rich natural environment of the Keys.  Opening day saw nearly 300 people pass through the center, which offers free admission and a fun, educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Located on the Truman Annex waterfront in Key West, the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center features numerous exhibits that interpret the resources and management efforts of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, two national parks, and four national wildlife refuges.  Highlights include a simulation of the Aquarius underwater research habitat, complete with sights and sounds experienced by the “aquanauts”, and a high-definition theater screening a 17-minute video about Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary by world-renowned filmmaker Bob Talbot.

Visitors can also peer through an underwater camera to watch the spectacle of coral spawning, learn about the armaments that once defended remote Fort Jefferson, or take a journey through the natural habitats of south Florida, from the Everglades to teeming coral reefs.

In cooperation with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sanctuary Friends Foundation will be assisting  in the promotion of Eco-Discovery Center  and providing resources to manage events at the Eco-Discovery Center for the benefit of the public.