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Dig these Earth Day events
[Times photo 2000]
Wildlife care volunteer George Schulz feeds carrots to manatees at Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park on Earth Day in April 2000. Schulz also talked to the crowd about the importance of protecting the manatee’s natural habitat. |
By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 18, 2002
Parks and gardens roll out the, um, green carpet for Earth Day, hosting special events to help adults and kids embrace the environment.
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The 32nd annual Earth Day is Monday, but there are lots of celebrations this weekend that salute the environment. Most of them are free. Among the Earth Day offerings:
Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
Admission to the park (regularly $7.95 adults, $4.95 ages 3 to 12) is free Saturday in celebration of Earth Day. "That gives an opportunity for those that haven't experienced the park to come in and enjoy it as it is every day of the year," special events coordinator Marly Ivory said.
All of the park's regular programs will be presented, including manatees and alligators, plus 28 environmental vendors.
This year's theme is Birding Trails and Whooping Cranes. The celebration will include the dedication of 20 new birding trails in Citrus County. The day kicks off at 7:15 a.m. with a bird walk along the park's Pepper Creek Trail.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also will be on hand to share the story of the whooping cranes that learned the 1,228-mile trip from Wisconsin to Citrus County by following costumed pilots in ultralight aircraft. The cranes recently headed back north on their own.
Homosassa Springs is at 4150 U.S. 19 in Homosassa, about 75 miles north of Tampa. The park is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily. Call (352) 628-2311 for more information.
Pinewood Cultural Center
Pinellas County gives Earth Day a historical and artistic flair with its Family EarthFest at the Pinewood Cultural Center, which includes the Heritage Village historical park, Florida Botanical Gardens and the Gulf Coast Museum of Art.
The free celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday features events in all three venues. Kids can build birdhouses, listen to stories, make crafts or get their faces painted. The art museum also will have a moon walk, dunk tank, food and music.
Grown-ups can check out the gardening and plant displays and get free mulch and plants.
The event will also offer a chance to exchange mercury thermometers for mercury-free replacements (while supplies last). There will be a drop-off for old electronic components such as TVs, stereos and computers so they can be properly disposed.
The center is at 11909 125th St. N, Largo. For more information, call (727) 464-4600.Weeki Wachee Springs
The attraction known for its mermaid shows adds presentations by the Florida Division of Forestry, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Fish and Game Commission, Hernando County Fire and Rescue, Keep Hernando Beautiful and others.
The activities are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Weeki Wachee Springs, U.S. 19 (Commercial Way) and SR 50, Weeki Wachee, and are included in the regular admission of $16.95 adult, $14.45 seniors, $12.95 ages 3 to 10. For information, call toll-free 1-877-469-3354.
Lowry Park
Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Lowry Park is at 7525 N Boulevard, Tampa. (813) 748-7393. Free
Chinsegut Nature Center
The Welcome Back Songbirds and Earth Day 2002 Festival begins here at 7:30 a.m. Saturday with activities that include catching migratory birds temporarily in finely woven mist nets. Those who attend the festival will be able to see the birds up close as they are banded by a biologist before release.
Other activities include bird, butterfly and wildflower walks, vendors, plants for sale and a bird-calling contest. The festival runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, 23212 Lake Lindsay Road (CR 476), north of Brooksville. (352) 754-6722. Free.
Bok Tower Gardens
Hours for the special events both days are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales (about 65 miles east of Tampa.) $6 adult, $1 students. (863) 676-1408
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