Exploration Day - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve
2025-02-08 08:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Volunteer Guide Bob Cooper (right) with a tour group

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Lemon Bay Conservancy will host its annual “Exporation Day” Nature Festival at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, renamed this year from “Open House” to “Exploration Day – Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve”. The free event runs from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. An “Early Bird” guided bird walk begins at 8:00 am, with information booths and other activities beginning at 8:30. Guided nature walks on various topics will continue throughout the morning. Local environmental groups will provide information exhibits and offer demonstrations of nature projects such as vertical oyster gardening during the event. Everyone is invited to attend this free, community-wide event.
Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is an 80-acre former golf course with numerous freshwater ponds and the Lemon Creek estuary. It was purchased by Lemon Bay Conservancy in 2010 with the goal of providing a refuge for wildlife and opportunities for environmental education and scientific research. The preserve has been restored to native habitats in partnership with the Southwest Water Management District and NOAA.
Lemon Bay Conservancy is a non-profit organization managed by volunteers and funded by donations, memberships and grants.

Details on the Exploration Day event schedule and participating organizations are available by clicking on this link: 2025 Exploration Day Information
The Preserve is located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, Englewood, FL 34224.

Join us at Exploration Day
2025-02-08 08:30 - 12:30 | FL
In addition to walks and exhibits, we’re pleased to offer short, free talks by subject matter experts. You’ll find these to be both interesting and educational.
8:45 Talk: Englewood Orchid Society led by Jami Grass-Hess
9:15 Seagrass and Lemon Bay led by Kate Rose
10:15 Keep Charlotte Beautiful led by Rhonda Harvey
10:45 Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves led by Jack Wallace
11:15 Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center led by Tome Shaaltiel
11:45 Talk: Juvenile Tarpon Research led by Malcolm Collingwood
Keep updated on our Event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/1168508928031018). Select ‘going’ or ‘interested’ to receive updates.
Or for more info, visit or website at:
https://lemonbayconservancy.org/feb-8-2025-exploration-day-at-lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve/

Butterfly and Plant Tour
2025-02-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Maura Qualls and Ann Weaver will lead a walking tour through the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat at 9:00 am, meeting at the Members entrance area. Join us as we examine the many plants, flowers, and pollinators that are present in our garden. We will offer discussions on how you can establish your own native butterfly and pollinator habitat and will provide an up-close look at nectar and host plants, both native and Florida friendly. Please bring your binoculars, cameras, water bottles, sunscreen, and bug repellent. All participants should wear comfortable, protective attire, especially footwear.

Lemon Bay Paddle from Indian Mound Park
2025-02-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Indian Mound Park, 210 Winson Ave, Englewood, FL, 34223, United States
Paddle Lemon Bay launching from Indian Mound Park in Englewood. Arrive at 9am and launching 9:30. We will explore Lemon Bay on east side up to Lemon Bay Park looking at conditions left by the recent hurricanes. Paddle will last 1.5ish hours and will be a slow too moderate pace. Good time for new paddlers and folks that have been saying that they should get out and use that kayak gathering dust. You must provide your own paddle and safety equipment. Participation limited to LBC Members and your accompanying guests. Contact Charlie Woodruff for additional information. 914-299-0664.

Rosé Ramble
2025-02-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Looking for something different to do on Valentine’s Day? Come out to the preserve and enjoy the nature around us with an afternoon walk and social hour. This event is open to LBC members and your accompanying guests. The “ramble” begins at 4:00, with social gathering following under the oaks in the meeting meadow. Bring your own refreshments.

Juvenile Tarpon Research Net Pull
2025-02-15 08:00 - 10:30, 2025-03-15 08:00 - 10:30 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Attention all new and returning Tarpon net pull volunteers, are invited to participate in our Tarpon pull event. We will first need to load the seine net and other equipment in the Jon boat before using our UTV to tow the boat over to the ponds located by Fiddlers Green. Please use the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve parking lot and plan to meet at the equipment shed at 7:45 am. After we have finished loading up, you can then drive your vehicle over to Fiddlers Green and use the carpark there for your convenience. The actual net pull will get underway around 8:30 am starting with the smaller of the two ponds. If you have waders please bring them along with gloves, a hat, water and mosquito repellant. Please contact Malcolm Collingwood at 917-915-1076 or malcolmcollingwood@gmail.com to RSVP for the event. This event is open to everyone in the local community that is interested in participating.

Late Afternoon Birding Walk
2025-02-15 17:00 - 18:00 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:00. This is a public event, everyone invited!

Late Afternoon Birding Walk
2025-02-15 17:00 - 18:00 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:00. The walk this evening falls during the time period for the Great American Backyard Bird Count, so we’ll be checking off the varieties of birds seen! This is a public event, everyone invited!

Casual Birding
2025-02-17 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-10 08:00 - 10:00 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Please join us at 8:00 am as birding expert, Ken Blackshaw leads a casually – paced guided walk through Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve includes upland habitats, along with freshwater ponds and brackish water wetlands, that attract a wide variety of birds.
Please remember to bring along your binoculars, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent, camera and hat. This program is free and open to the public.

Plen Air Painters Visit
2025-02-27 09:00 - 11:30 | Lemon Bay Conservancy, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL, 34223, United States
Lemon Bay Conservancy welcomes the Plen Air painters to the preserve. Preserve visitors will have the opportunity to observe the painters as they paint at various locations around the preserve.

Late Afternoon Birding Walk
2025-02-27 17:00 - 18:30 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 5:00 and will end at 6:30 This is a public event, everyone invited!

Paddle from Don Pedro State Park
2025-02-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Don Pedro Island State Park, 8450 Placida Rd, Cape Haze, FL, 33946
Depart the Don Pedro State Park Land Base at 9am, launching as soon as everyone is ready. We will paddle across short stretch of the intracoastal waterway and explore a mangrove tunnel to hidden lakes. This paddle does require getting kayaks down a sand path to the water. If you have wheels do bring them. If not we will use our cart. Paddle should be moderate pace and last 1.5 hours. Open to LBC Members and your accompanying guests. Bring your own kayak, paddle, and safety gear, or rent a kayak in advance. Also, bring along water, sun lotion, and your sense of humor. Please text or call Charlie at 914 799 0664 for questions.

This location has rental kayaks available. Call SUP Englewood to arrange a kayak and gear. Their number is 941 265 2925.

Wildflower 101: Introduction to the Preserve Guided Walk
2025-03-04 09:00 - 10:30 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Join Paul Townsend and Brad Kort for the monthly “Wildflower 101” introductory guided walk beginning at 9 am. During this is a short, casually-paced walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, you can expect to see upland and wading birds, native and Florida friendly plants, butterflies and other insects, freshwater and brackish pond water environments, and the Labyrinth on the Hill.
The preserve address is 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood 34224.

When visiting the Preserve, closed-toe walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray are suggested. A water bottle, camera, and binoculars are also encouraged.

Everyone is welcome to attend, please feel free to invite your friends, neighbors, and family to come along and enjoy the early morning sights and sounds.

Plastic Pulling Paddle
2025-03-07 09:00 - 11:30 | Indian Mound Park, 210 Winson Ave, Englewood, FL, 34223, United States
We invite you to join us on a moderate 2 hour Kayak paddle as we continue working on removing plastic and debris from the mangroves in Lemon Bay Park. Cleanup is easy, fun and very satisfying.
Plan on arriving at Indian Mound Park at 9:00 am and launch at 9:30 am. Please bring your kayak, paddle, life jacket, water, sun lotion, hat, gloves, and a sense of humor. Bring your own snack or lunch.
Rest rooms are available at Lemon Bay Park. This is an LBC members only event. This is a members only event. For questions, contact Charlie Woodruff at 914-799-0664.

Volunteer Work Crew
2025-03-11 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-13 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-18 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-20 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-25 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-27 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-04-01 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-04-03 08:00 - 10:00 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Volunteers meet at the Preserve on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to do maintenance and enhancement projects. Come out and join us! Activities include planting new native plants, maintaining and enhancing the butterfly habitat, mowing preserve trails, clearing vines from recent plantings, water quality monitoring, and many other projects. Some volunteers start at 7 am while others choose to begin at 8 am. Most people work two hours, but your schedule is up to you. If you’d like more information, call the office at 941-830-8922 and we’ll put you in touch with our volunteer coordinators.

Late Afternoon Birding Walk
2025-03-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Join Bob Ihlenburg and Rachel Samuels for a casually-paced late afternoon birding (and plants) walk. The preserve is beautiful late in the day and the birds are usually very active. The walk begins at 6:00 and will end at 7:30 This is a public event, everyone invited!
Note: This March walk will start later in the day due to the time change.

Shamrock Stroll
2025-03-17 09:30 - 23:30 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Come out to Lemon Bay Wildflower Preserve for our Shamrock Stroll. 9:30 am -11:30 am. We will search for signs of spring including clovers, Frog Fruit, the famous flat Flamingoes and a Leprechaun!
Following the stroll, you are welcome to join us for lunch. Please plan on bringing your own lunch and a beverage for a celebration of the green around us (with lunch beginning around 11:30). Don’t forget to wear your green!
This event is open to the public.

Shamrock Picnic
2025-03-17 11:30 - 12:30 | Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, FL 34224, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Englewood, FL, 34224, United States
Join us as we celebrate the green all around us with a picnic on St. Patrick’s Day at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Bring your own lunch and beverage and meet at the picnic tables under the oaks in the meadow adjacent to the preserve parking lot. A fun dessert will be provided.
This picnic will follow the Shamrock Stroll that begins at 9:30. You’re invited to participate in both events, or just to join in for the picnic!
Remember to wear your green! This event is open to the public.

Oyster Creek Paddle
2025-03-21 09:00 - 11:30 | Oyster Creek Environmental Park – Kayak Ramp, 2333 Placida Rd., 2333 Placida Rd., Englewood, FL, 34223, United States
We will be launching from the Oyster Creek Environmental Park, located across the street from Cedar Point Park in Englewood, next to the high school. We will be exploring waters in the surrounding area looking for signs of life in the bay! This will be a moderate paddle. Please bring your kayak, paddle, life jacket, water, sun lotion, hat, gloves, lunch/snack and a sense of humor. This is a members only event. For questions, contact Charlie Woodruff at 914-799-0664.

Lemon Bay Conservancy Celebrates Preserve Volunteers
2025-03-31 08:00 - 17:00 | FL
On Thursday, March 20, Lemon Bay Conservancy held a celebration for our Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve volunteers at the Cape Haze Community Center. Volunteers and their guests enjoyed a social period followed by dinner, awards and presentations.
Our preserve volunteers are an amazingly dedicated group, with many returning year-after-year. Recognizing their contributions was a highlight of the evening! While not everyone was able to join us for the evening, we were delighted to recognize the 27 active preserve volunteers who have contributed their time and skills for 5-years or more.
Within that group, we recognized 10 volunteers who had previously reached their 10-year volunteer milestone, and presented acrylic plaques to 4 volunteers who joined the 10-year group this season! The newly recognized 10-year volunteers are: Joe Gallagher, Don Hamilton, Marj Hamilton, and John McCurley.
For the first time this year, we recognized volunteers who have donated their time and efforts for a remarkable 15 years! That’s the entire time LBC has owned the preserve! The individuals joining this prestigious group are: Bob Cooper, Bill Dunson, Eva Furner, Bob Hildebrand, and Maura Qualls. Each received a custom slate plaque to acknowledge their efforts.
In addition, all of our preserve volunteers were presented with a custom-printed drying towel containing the preserve logo and a beautiful photo of the preserve wetlands.
Following the awards, Ann Weaver shared with the group that the preserve Butterfly Habitat has recently received Florida-Friendly Landscaping’s Gold Recognition for a Natural Garden, and Dana Houkal spoke about the ongoing monitoring program that he is leading at the preserve studying salinity impacts from Hurricane Milton.
Lemon Bay Conservancy is a volunteer-led organization. We only exist thanks to the incredible work of our volunteers, both at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve and on all our many LBC initiatives! Thank you all!

Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series: Update on the Smalltooth Sawfish and the 2024 'spinning' mortality events"
2025-04-03 17:30 - 20:00 | Cape Haze Community Center, 180 Spyglass Aly, Placida 33946, 180 Spyglass Alley, Placida, FL, 33946, United States
Tonya Wiley, Founder and President, Havenworth Coastal Conservation will present an “Update on Smalltooth Sawfish and the 2024 ‘spinning’ mortality events”

Join us for this free, public seminar. Refreshments at 5:30. Presentation begins at 6:00.
