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Center celebrates flora, fauna, folkways of Florida

A new facility at Brooker Creek Preserve will offer knowledge on all aspects of the Sunshine State.

EAST LAKE - The late Will McLean, the father of Florida folk music, traveled the state and grew to love its history, characters, animals, birds - even its sand.

He devoted his life to preserving natural Florida and fostering Florida culture.

And he will dance in his grave Saturday when the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center opens.

His old friend, Dale Crider, will sing and play guitar for the opening day celebration. Crider retired after two decades as a wildlife biologist, working to save endangered and threatened species for the agency now known as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The new environmental education center is meant to be more than a collection of impressive new buildings. It also was created to be a regional gathering place for celebrating all of Florida's arts and culture, as well as nature. Progams are already planned for the next few months and more is to come. Suggestions for future programs are welcome, center managers say. (Okay, here's one: How about Frank Thomas, the dean of Florida folk, singing Swamp Critter Song at dusk with the croaking frogs?)

The opening weekend includes activities for all ages including naturalist workshops and hikes, Florida artists, musicians and authors. There's even a pioneer breakfast for as long as it lasts, and it's all free. Other food and drinks will be sold at least from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Here's the schedule:

Free Florida pioneer breakfast at 9 a.m.

County officials cut the ribbon at 9:30 a.m.

Music by Dale Crider as well as Gypsy Wind, throughout the day.

Artists Christopher Still and Harry McVay and other local artists, sculpture by Mitch Kolbe, and possibly photography by Clyde Butcher. Still will talk about his 10 murals on Florida history at 1:15 p.m. in the auditorium.

Florida authors Ray Arsenault, Ray and Patricia Ashton, Peggy Lantz and Mark Minno will sign books from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lantz will talk about wild edibles at 12:30 p.m. and Minno will talk on butterfly gardening for beginners at 2:15 p.m.

Pioneer actors will give other presentations and lead activities for all ages.

Naturalist-led hikes through the preserve.

Music by Gypsy Wind.

Florida artist Harry McVay and an exhibit of local art, possibly Butcher photography.

Florida authors Ray and Patricia Ashton will sign books and talk about gopher tortoises some time in the afternoon.

Pioneer actors.

Guided hikes.

The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, is having a grand opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday with nature and arts activities for all ages. Wear comfortable clothes for hiking (and wading). Volunteers at the gate will direct traffic to an overflow parking area off Old Keystone Road and a shuttle will run about every 10 minutes. Call (727) 453-6800.