Wildflower open this weekend with lots to do
Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to a free Open House at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Come explore nature and take a guided trail walk with knowledgeable guides that will leave every hour. Various walks will focus on different natural elements of the preserve. The first walk of the day, the “early bird” birding walk, will depart at 8 a.m. to observe some of the upland and wetland bird species that frequent the preserve. Other walks during the day will include Lemon Creek & juvenile tarpon, butterflies, freshwater wetlands and managing for wildlife.
Lemon Bay Conservancy board members will be on hand to discuss the upcoming Wildflower Preserve Habitat Restoration project. With $1.17 million in funding support from NOAA and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the project will improve the tidal connectivity between Lemon Creek and Lemon Bay, enhance and expand the freshwater and estuarine wetlands, remove exotic vegetation, add native wetland and coastal upland plantings, and enhance estuarine fisheries by providing important habitat for juvenile tarpon, snook and other species.
Information displays will be available from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. for visitors to learn more about environmental and gardening organizations in our area. Expected participants include The Men’s Garden Club of Englewood, The Coastal Wildllife Club,
The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Peace River Audubon and The Sierra Club.
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. 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.
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 go to lemonbayconservancy.org.
