Saturday, January 24, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Nature Walks, Talks, Displays and the Mote Marine Mobile Exhibit & Touch Tank
Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to a free “Open House” at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, January 24th from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. Wildflower is an 80-acre former golf course that is being restored as a wildlife preserve. Come explore nature at the preserve!
Guided Trail Walks with our knowledgeable guides will leave every hour. 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.
- Other special topic walks during the day will include Tarpon Ecology (9:00), Butterflies & Dragonflies (10:00), Edible & Medicinal Plants (11:00) and Freshwater Wetlands (noon). Short general walks on the “Ecology of Wildflower” will also be offered.
The Mote Marine Mobile Exhibit will open at 8:30 am. With the saltwater touch tank and interactive table displays, Mote Mobile brings the sea to you. Adults and kids alike can roll up your sleeves to touch a variety of sea urchins, crabs, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and snails and will walk away with an experience you can’t forget.
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. And, several informative talks will be offered during the day. Expected participants include: the Men’s Garden Club of Englewood, the Coastal Wildllife Club, the Florida Native Plant Society, the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Peace River Audubon, and the Sierra Club. Food will be available for purchase from the “Ravenous Rhino” food truck.
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 information table when you arrive.
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.
Visitors should wear shoes, hats and clothing appropriate for a nature hike. Click here to see the schedule for all activity start times.
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. See you on January 24th!