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Nikon and The Brevard Nature Alliance present Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 16 - 20, 2005 -- Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
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Nikon and The Brevard Nature Alliance present Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 16 - 20, 2005 -- Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
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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.
September 30 - October 2, 2005, Ponce Inlet
Sponsored by the Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center. Fun activities for the entire family. Lectures on Florida birds, tours of the Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Center and more. Saturday will be a day of booths, lectures, and on Friday and Sunday there will be a number of field trips. Sunday will feature a pelagic trip to the western edge of the Gulf Stream, off Ponce Inlet aboard the 65' Sea Spirit. The area, known locally as The Steeples, is a productive location of underwater cliffs and seamounts that cause upwellings and current edges. It is especially good for pelagic species during migration. For information: mbrothers@co.volusia.fl.us or call 386-304-5545.
MIGRATORY BIRD FESTIVAL – Wings on the WindSeptember 29 - October 2, 2005, 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 EXPERIENCESept. 30 & Oct. 1 – 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. Our key note speaker is Dr. Tom Hotor on the corridors of Floridas Forest call the O2O, (Osciolla to Ocala Forest). Six field trips starting at 9:30AM and last one at 2:00PM (2:00PM may be reserved for special groups with advanced notice).
FLORIDA BLACK BEAR FESTIVAL
Sept. 30th — silent auction and street dance from 6:00 PM till 10:00 PM. -- Oct. 1st Festival from 9:00am - 4:00pm
Contact 407-323-1298, www.flblackbearfest.orgOctober 7-9, 2005, 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 9-15, 2005, Sanibel Island
The 16th Annual "Ding" Darling Days celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, the 60th Birthday of J. N. "Ding" Darlingling National Wildlife Refuge, and the birthday of the refuge's namesake, father of the he Duck Stamp program. Bunche Beach birding tours, a kids fishing day, live animal shows, photo workshops, island eco-tours, the 2005 Duck Stamp Artist presentation, and book signings and talks by major wildlife authors highlight the week's activities.This year, we're adding a kids fishing day and photo workshop on Sunday to kick off the week. The festivities culminate at the refuge on Saturday, Oct. 15, with a free day of Butterfly House touring, family activities, live animal presentations, narrated tram rides, environmental exhibits, and food. www.dingdarlingdays.com
"DING" DARLING DAYSweb site under construction - no 2006 date available, 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 FESTIVALFebruary 18-20, 2006, 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 21, 2006, Naples
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: www.rookerybay.org/ - (239) 417-6310
SOUTHWEST BIRD FESTIVALJanuary 22 & 23, 2006, 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 FESTIVALJan. 27 - 29 2006, 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 18, 2006, 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 2006 - TBA, 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 FESTIVALNo date available for 2006 at this time, White Springs
Annual birding event and held in conjunction with the WILD AZALEA FESTIVAL. Contact: Columbia County Tourist Development Council, PO Box 1847, Lake City, FL 32056; 386-758-1312; www.floridabirdingfestival.com. Attendees will have an opportunity to explore the PCS lands (which are normally not open to the public), visit the Alligator Lake Recreation Park, Big Shoals in Hamilton County (view the new Woodpecker Trail), and Ichetucknee Springs State Park with an optional canoe trip.
SUWANNEE RIVER VALLEY BIRDING FESTIVALApril - TBA, 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 2006 - TBA, 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 2006 - TBA, 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 2006 - TBA, 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/festivals/WelcomeFestivals
WELCOME BACK SONGBIRDS FESTIVALMay 11-14, 2006, 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
