Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to a free “Open House” at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, February 18, from 8 am to 1:30 pm!
The Open House will include guided nature walks, displays by local environmental and gardening groups, presentations on a variety of topics, and a freshwater wetlands exploration activity. Wildflower is an 80-acre former golf course that is being restored as a wildlife preserve. Come explore nature and learn about the restoration project!
Guided Trail Walks with our knowledgeable guides will leave throughout the event. Various walks will focus on different natural elements of the preserve.
- Our first walk of the day, the “Early Bird” Birding Walk, will depart at 8:00 am to observe some of the upland and wetland bird species that frequent the preserve.
- At 8:30 am, a Juvenile Tarpon Walk will allow visitors to observe juvenile tarpon netting work being conducted as part of the ongoing tarpon research project in Lemon Creek.
- Other planned walks include Butterflies, Ecology of Wildflower, Restoration in Progress and Freshwater Wetlands. Click here to see the full schedule for activity start times.
Habitat Restoration Project Plans will be discussed by Lemon Bay Conservancy board members and site tours will be offered. With $1.25 million in funding support from NOAA and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, this exciting project will create new wading and shorebird habitat, expand and enhance estuarine and freshwater fisheries, improve water quality within the preserve and in Lemon Bay, and restore natural systems throughout the site.
Information Displays will be available from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm for visitors to learn more about environmental and gardening organizations in our area. Expected participants include: the Family Garden Club of Englewood, the Coastal Wildlife Club, the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Peace River Audubon, the Sierra Club, the Charlotte County Master Gardeners, and LA Ainger/LBHS STEM students.
Special Golf Cart Tours will be offered several times during the day for visitors who may have difficulty walking the trails. Space is limited. To sign-up for a tour time, visit the LBC booth.
Self-Guided Walks: Throughout the day, the nature trails, the butterfly habitat and the bird observation area will be open for guests to visit and enjoy.
Refreshments and Lunch: “J & K’s Mobile Cafe” will be onsite all day, offering early morning breakfast, snacks and a variety of lunch items.
Visitors should wear shoes, hats and clothing appropriate for a nature hike over rough terrain.
Wildflower Preserve is located on the Cape Haze peninsula, at the southeast corner of the Gasparilla Pines Boulevard and Placida Road (Hwy 775) intersection. The parking lot address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224. For questions or additional information, call 941-830-8922 or email wildflower@lemonbayconservancy.org.