 |
Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 17-21, 2004 -- Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
 |
| |
Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 17-21, 2004 -- Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
|
Florida Birding and Wildlife Festivals
Because of its unique geographical location in the southernmost part of the North American continent, Florida is visited by many species of birds. The only tropical habitat on the continent is located in Florida, as well as the confluence of two flyways. With its diverse habitats and favorable climate, unique history and a multitude of cultures, Florida provides a fantastic setting for numerous festivals and events. We invite you to visit www.southfest.com to learn more about them. Meanwhile, here's a sample of some of the many exceptional birding and wildlife events planned for the coming year.
October 2, 2004 – 9am-5pm, Umatilla
Learn about the Florida Black Bear and the importance of protecting Florida's natural habitats. Activities include field trips to the Ocala National Forest, presentations on Florida bears and other wildlife and a "Florida Authors Corner." Other activities include a kid's pavilion, food, arts & crafts, a teddy bear repair clinic, live music, a Florida Black Bear maze and educational exhibits. Contact 407-323-1298, www.flblackbearfestival.com
FLORIDA BLACK BEAR FESTIVALOctober 1-3, 2004, Marathon
The exotic tropical Florida Keys provide the setting for this family oriented event. From the National Key Deer Refuge, to spectacular offshore coral reefs and quiet backwaters, this festival highlights the best of the Keys. Activities include hawk-watching, stargazing, evening keynote speakers, snorkeling trips, backcountry kayaking trips, bird watching trips, American Crocodile program, wild bird rehabilitation center tours, seminars, an environmental fair and a butterfly garden. Contact James Bell, 305-872-0774, www.hawkwatch.org/keysfest, (new web site under construction: www.keysbirdingfestival.org )
FLORIDA KEYS BIRDING & WILDLIFE FESTIVALOctober 7-9, 2004, Port St. Joe
Florida's Forgotten Coast is an area that has been spared the frenetic development the rest of the state has experienced. A large variety of field tours visit barrier islands, pine forests, estuaries and lighthouses via boats, vehicles, kayaks and hay-wagons. Other activities include seminars, children's activities, photography workshops & field trips, archaeology seminars & field trips featuring primitive Native American cultures, a hawk-watch, stargazing, educational displays and vendors. Migratory birds, Monarch Butterflies and fall wildflowers are abundant this time of the year. Contact Marie Steele, 850-229-9464, www.birdfestival.org
FLORIDA PANHANDLE BIRDING & WILDFLOWER FESTIVALOctober 7-10, 2004, St Petersburg/Clearwater
Held this year with the 2004 Audubon Assembly. One of the biggest surprises awaiting visitors to this area is the wealth of natural areas and unique history. Within an urban setting known for world-class resorts, museums and attractions, exist some of the most important beach nesting areas and wading bird rookeries in the state. Numerous seminars, workshops, field trips and evening keynote speakers focus on area wildlife and habitats. A Nature Expo features children's activities, booths and exhibits featuring the latest products. Other seminars, workshops and field trips focus on the Gulf Coast's fabulous butterflies. Contact Mandy Peterson, Director of Pinellas County Environmental Fund, Special Programs of the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, 727-827-3326, mandypeterson@ij.net, www.pcef.org.
FLORIDA BIRDING FESTIVAL & NATURE EXPOOctober 28-31, 2004, Cedar Key
Cedar Key is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected lands, including the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges and the Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve. It is rare to find such accessible yet diverse habitats so unaffected by today's urban and agricultural sprawl. The Nature Coast Wildlife Experience will expose participants to a variety of lectures and trips spotlighting our unique area. Contact Judy Johnson, 352-543-0099 www.naturecoastwildlifeexperience.org.
NATURE COAST WILDLIFE EXPERIENCEJanuary 15-17, 2005, Everglades National Park
Sponsored by the Broward Audubon Society, this 3-day birding and ecology festival in Everglades National Park includes naturalist-guided birdwatching in the main and Shark Valley sections of the park. Included: luxury coach transportation to sites and trails, 2 nights lodging at the Flamingo Lodge, 7 meals, full use of park facilities, exhibitors, evening seminars on birdlife habitats, and restoration of the Everglades. Optional boating, canoeing, kayaking, biking, fishing, and back-country hiking are available. Contact the Broward County Audubon Society at 954-776-5585 or e-mail birdfest2005@browardaudubon.org, www.browardaudubon.org
EVERGLADES BIRDFESTJanuary 22 & 23, 2005, Orange City
Blue Spring State Park is Florida's most significant warm water refuge for the endangered manatee. This two-day environmental festival features educational exhibits on endangered wildlife, children's rides, food, crafts, craft show and free rides to see the manatees. Contact Jo Hannah, 386-775-3201.
ORANGE CITY/BLUE SPRING MANATEE FESTIVALJanuary 28-30, 2005, Moore Haven
With 100-200 plant species per acre, dry prairies are one of the most diverse plant communities in North America. Recently, highly endangered Whooping Cranes have been reintroduced to their former haunts on Florida prairies. Led by experts who live and work on the prairie, some for generations, fieldtrips will focus on the history, unique habitat and the vast array of wildlife and plants that call the dry prairie home. In addition to the field trips, there will be seminars, arts & crafts show, children's art competition, an "Owl Hoot" and guided tours by airboat, pontoon boat and canoes. Contact Peggy Barton, 863-946-0300 www.gladescountyedc.com.
BIG "O" BIRDING FESTIVALFebruary or March, Christmas
Experience the world's first large-scale wetlands treatment system, a magnet for all types of wildlife. Features include birdwatching tours, photo shoots, bicycle tours, native plant walks, bird banding and mist-netting demonstrations, wildlife shows, historic reenactments, live music, Native American demonstrations, and bus tours will travel along the wetland berms. Contact Mark Sees, 407-568-1706, www.cityoforlando.net, go to Parks, click on Wetlands or www.nbbd.com/festivals/OrlandoWetlands.
ORLANDO WETLANDS PARK FESTIVALMarch 12, 2005, Sebastian
Environmental exhibitors will be on-hand with live wildlife, arts and crafts, and environmental displays. Feature presentations include live wildlife shows and live music. Many family activities are available including boat tours, kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon, kid's activities, bird watching and history tours. Call 772-562-3909, ext. 258, www.nbbd.com/npr/pips/festival.html
PELICAN ISLAND WILDLIFE FESTIVALMarch 19, 2005, White Springs
This is the 2nd Annual birding event and will be held in conjunction with the WILD AZALEA FESTIVAL. Contact Harvey Campbell, 386-758-1312.
SUWANNEE RIVER VALLEY BIRDING FESTIVALApril, Tallahassee
Showcasing Florida's Big Bend area, family activities include tours to Wakulla Springs State Park and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Other features include a sunrise birding cruise, birding, plant, wildlife and other guided tours, seminars, vendors, multiple outdoor learning stations including bird banding, optics and ecosystem health, educational exhibitors and creative hands-on learning stations for children. Contact Bob Thompson, 850-561-7281, robert.thompson@dep.state.fl.us, www.floridaconservation.org/festivals.
WELCOME BACK SONGBIRDS & WAKULLA WILDLIFE FESTIVALApril 23, 2005, Brooksville 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Held at Chinsegut Nature Center located north of Brooksville in Hernando County. Activities offered include: bird banding, butterfly, bird and wildflower walks, birds of prey program, birding 101 program, puppet show, bird calling contest and more. Contact Kristin Wood, (352)754-6722, kristin.wood@fwc.state.fl.us, www.MyFWC.com.
WELCOME BACK SONGBIRDS/EARTH DAY FESTIVALSaturday, April 9, 2005, Fellsmere
Hosted by the Coastal Preserves Alliance, this festival will include nature tours by boat, canoe, kayak, wagon and foot, presentations and exhibits. Highlights include birding excursions to observe the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and threatened Florida scrub-jay, and boat tours to explore the beauty of the St. Sebastian River. Contact Joy Call at the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, 321-953-5004 or visit www.nbbd.com/npr/cpa/
GOBY FESTApril 9, 2005, Titusville
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at Merritt Island NWR, home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Canaveral National Seashore and the largest population of Florida Scrub Jays in the world! Highlights include birding field trips, seminars and kayak trips to one of the state's most diverse wading bird rookery islands. Contact the Merritt Island NWR Visitor's Center, 321-861-0667, www.nbbd.com/godo/minwr
WELCOME BACK SONGBIRDS FESTIVALMay 12-15, 2005, St. Augustine
Ahaven for outdoor photographers and bird lovers with more than 75 field trips, boat trips, kayak excursions and workshops presented by leading experts taking place during spring migration. All of the events are designed to put people where they can easily observe nature in the wild. For more information go to the Festival website at www.Getaway4Nature.com and click on the festival logo. A complete guide to the festival may be obtained by calling the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau at 800.653.2489.
FIRST COAST BIRDING NATURE FESTIVAL
For an expanded version of this listing, as well as new events that will be added, please visit www.spacecoastbirding.com
Click here to send eMail inquiries about the Festival or Contest.
