2018 Events
Grass Identification Workshop
FLORIDA MASTER NATURALIST LEARNING SERIES
The Florida Master Naturalist--St. Lucie Chapter and the Friends of the Savannas Preserve State Park are partnering up to offer a Grass Identification Workshop on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. John Bradford and George Rogers will lead a short workshop on grasses and grass-like plants for beginners.
The presenters have co-authored a book, “Guide to the Native Plants of Florida’s Treasure Coast.” Their grasses program originated in the horticulture department at Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens as a “mutual effort” among John Bradford, George Rogers, and June Wilkinson, all of whom wanted to learn the local grasses and flora.
John Bradford is an avid naturalist, amateur taxonomist, and photographer. His macro and color-enhanced photographs bring these species to life in both a documentary and fine art style. He is a volunteer with Martin County Environmentally Sensitive Lands, and has contributed to the Palm Beach State College Manual of Cultivated Plants for South Florida.
George Rogers is a Professor of Horticulture at Palm Beach State College. His interest in warm climate grasses goes back to a study of the grasses of Barbados.
The program will begin in the classroom with a discussion about distinguishing grasses from grass-like plants, such as sedges and rushes, and the local history of these plants. Then, participants will go on a short hike through the beautiful Flatwoods of the Savannas to learn to recognize by sight some of the major examples in our region. The course will finish up with some additional investigating and identification with the use of a dissecting microscope.
A $5 donation at the door is suggested to support the continued preservation and interpretation of the Savannas Preserve State Park, and the environmental programming offered by the Florida Master Naturalist--St. Lucie Chapter.
Reservations are required, and may be made by calling 772-398-2779 (Savannas Education Center). The program will be taught at the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center, located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
The Florida Master Naturalist--St. Lucie Chapter and the Friends of the Savannas Preserve State Park are partnering up to offer a Grass Identification Workshop on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. John Bradford and George Rogers will lead a short workshop on grasses and grass-like plants for beginners.
The presenters have co-authored a book, “Guide to the Native Plants of Florida’s Treasure Coast.” Their grasses program originated in the horticulture department at Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens as a “mutual effort” among John Bradford, George Rogers, and June Wilkinson, all of whom wanted to learn the local grasses and flora.
John Bradford is an avid naturalist, amateur taxonomist, and photographer. His macro and color-enhanced photographs bring these species to life in both a documentary and fine art style. He is a volunteer with Martin County Environmentally Sensitive Lands, and has contributed to the Palm Beach State College Manual of Cultivated Plants for South Florida.
George Rogers is a Professor of Horticulture at Palm Beach State College. His interest in warm climate grasses goes back to a study of the grasses of Barbados.
The program will begin in the classroom with a discussion about distinguishing grasses from grass-like plants, such as sedges and rushes, and the local history of these plants. Then, participants will go on a short hike through the beautiful Flatwoods of the Savannas to learn to recognize by sight some of the major examples in our region. The course will finish up with some additional investigating and identification with the use of a dissecting microscope.
A $5 donation at the door is suggested to support the continued preservation and interpretation of the Savannas Preserve State Park, and the environmental programming offered by the Florida Master Naturalist--St. Lucie Chapter.
Reservations are required, and may be made by calling 772-398-2779 (Savannas Education Center). The program will be taught at the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center, located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Celebration of Stewardship
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Calling all stewards! Come on out on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and celebrate with the community and its many stewards. Visitors will learn about what the Savannas Preserve State Park and other stewardship-based organizations around St. Lucie and Martin counties have to offer the community.
This Celebration of Stewardship will feature arts & crafts stations, animal shows, educational booths, nature hikes focusing on the beneficial relationship between fire and Florida ecosystems, presentations by the St. Lucie Audubon Society on their organization’s history of stewardship, and a "Savannas 101" presentation by two of our park’s longest serving volunteers. Weather permitting, Savannas Preserve State Park staff will perform prescribed fire demonstrations and showcase wildland firefighting equipment and practices. At 7:00 p.m., we will begin a screening of a popular Disney Pixar film (Rated G for general admission) that depicts a destroyed Earth that’s void of stewards except one lonely trash compactor that inadvertently brings hope back to Earth through his adventures. Food will be available at Joe’s Dawgs Food Stand. Beverages will be available for purchase before the film screening. The Savannas Education Center is located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34952. Admission to the event is free, but an optional donation of a canned food item will be collected and donated to the Treasure Coast Food Bank. For more information about Celebration of Stewardship, please call the Education Center at 772-398-2779. To learn more about Florida’s award-winning state parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. * This event has been supported by Volunteer Florida and AmeriCorps. |
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Warriors on the Water, May 20, 2018
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Warriors on the Water Honors Veterans
The Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park will host a free event for local veterans on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Warriors on the Water is a special event designed to connect veterans with the serenity and wonder of Florida's natural systems. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy guided interpretive walks through the pine flatwoods, take a one-hour guided kayak trip through the pristine Savannas basin marsh, tour the park by hayride, and visit the Savannas Education Center. Participants may also peruse display tables hosted by local businesses, and enjoy a free lunch sponsored by the Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park and park volunteers. Veterans interested in participating in Warriors on the Water should call the Savannas Education Center at 772-398-2779. Space is limited and reservations are required. Each veteran is permitted to bring one guest. Reservists, National Guardsmen, and Active Duty Military Personnel are also invited to participate. Check-in will take place at 8:00 a.m. at the Savannas Education Center located at 2541 SE Walton Road in Port St. Lucie. |
Scrub Jay Watch citizen science training
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Become a Citizen Scientist on Saturday, June 9, 2018, during the Scrub Jay Watch Citizen Science Training Session starting at 8:00 a.m. Learn how to identify Florida Scrub Jays by sight, sound and behavior, to assist in a statewide monitoring program. Participants will also learn about the Florida Scrub-Jay cooperative breeding behavior, population trends and stability, and standardized Jay Watch survey methods employed statewide. Participants should come prepared with long pants, closed-toed shoes, binoculars, water, and snacks. Your skills will be put to the test during monitoring hikes scheduled for June 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and July 1. The training session is FREE for participants, but you will be expected to attend most of the hikes stated above. Reservations required. Please email Jacqui Sulek at [email protected]. This training session will be held at the Savannas Preserve State Park at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie.
Closer to the hike dates, please check the online calendar for monitoring times. |
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This event was cancelled by the venue.
Invasive Plant Weeding Party
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We are calling all volunteers!! AmeriCorps at Savannas Preserve State Park is inviting everyone to help with pulling invasive plants. Please bring gloves, a water bottle, sun protection, and wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. We will meet at the Jensen Beach entrance of the Savannas Preserve State Park at 700 Block NE Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach, FL 34957. This will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2018. Join us! We will provide water, a snack, and fun! Please contact us via email to confirm: [email protected] or [email protected].
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Savannas Mint Monitoring Project
Citizen Science volunteers from the local area and project sponsor Bok Tower Gardens, Americorps workers, and a Park biologist spent two-to-three hours each day locating number-tagged Savannas Mint plants, counting live and propagating branches, and identifying and removing dead plants at several locations in Savannas Preserve State Park on Friday, October 5, and Monday, October 8, 2018. Following the sweaty field work, Cheryl Peterson of Bok Tower Gardens treated the volunteers and staff to lunch at Tropical Smoothie Cafe each day.
Savannas Mint Monitoring Project volunteers on Monday, October 8, 2018. Photo by Doug Rogers.
Family Fall Festival, October 26, 2018
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A freakishly fun and spooktacular event for the whole family is coming to the Savannas Preserve State Park! Join in the fun at this annual Halloween event on Friday, October 26th, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., sponsored by The Friends of Savannas. We invite you to participate in games, spooky crafts, scary (but kid-friendly) movie showings, and food vendors. Wind your way through the Savannas Haunted Maze to discover the eerie secrets hidden inside. The event will also feature a Creatures of the Night Live Animal Show from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. presented by the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center. Hayrides will be available from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and will provide a unique opportunity to see this beautiful, serene preserve from a different vantage point. Cost is $4/adult, $2/child (ages 4 to 12). This event will be hosted rain or shine. We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing any authentic or toy weapons, as well as alcoholic beverages.
All proceeds benefit the Friends of Savannas and our mission to support the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of Savannas Preserve State Park. |
Chili's Give Back Event, November 7, 2018
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Head on over to Chili's of Jensen Beach to help support the Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park. During the event, for each flyer presented (either on your phone or a printout), Chili's will donate 20% of the event day sales to our organization. Don't forget to show a copy of the flyer (to print: right click on the flyer, open image in a new tab, CTRL p) when you go to purchase your food. It is also available on our Facebook page. This event is at the Jensen Beach Chili's only, 2988 NW Federal Highway, Jensen Beach.
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Hands-on Educator Workshops, November 9 and December 7, 2018
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Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. (FAITC), is a non-profit organization that develops and trains teachers and agriculture industry volunteers in its agricultural curricula and materials, which they in turn use to educate students about the importance of agriculture.
FAITC is hosting two free Hands-On Educator Workshops at the Savannas Preserve State Park Environmental Education Center for all educators--homeschool, private, and public. Teachers can earn professional development points. Attendees receive free curriculum books to take home. November 9: Elementary School Curriculum Workshop: Gardening for Grades (9:15 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) December 7: Middle & High School Curriculum Workshop: STEMming Up Gardening ((9:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) Registration is required at https://faitc.org/workshops Registrants should bring a packed lunch, paper, writing utensil |
National Take a Hike Day, November 17, 2018
Saturday, November 17 is National Take A Hike Day so let's hike the pine flatwoods with Ranger Paul. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Education Center at 2541 SE Walton Rd in Port St. Lucie for a 2-hour hike on mostly flat, mostly dry trails through the park. No pets, please. Space is limited, so call for reservations at 772-398-2779. The hike is free with paid park admission ($3 cash per vehicle).
Clyde Butcher Photograph Exhibit, November 23, 2018-January 14, 2019
Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves office and Savannas Preserve State Park are excited to announce that Clyde Butcher’s Living Waters photo collection will be on display from Friday, Nov 23, 2018, through mid-January 2019 at Savannas Preserve State Park on Walton Road. The collection highlights some of Florida’s 41 aquatic preserves, and was donated to the Department of Environmental Protection by the Butcher family to bring awareness to our natural areas.
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Members of the Friends members-only wine and cheese reception, December 10, 2018
Members of the Friends of Savannas are cordially invited to a members-only wine and cheese open house in the Lecture Hall at Savannas Preserve State Park to view Clyde Butcher's Living Waters photographs on Monday evening, December 10, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The collection highlights some of Florida’s 41 aquatic preserves, and was donated to the Department of Environmental Protection by the Butcher family to bring awareness to our natural areas.
Bring your credit card, cash, or check to pay your dues renewal for 2019 if you have not yet renewed.
Bring your credit card, cash, or check to pay your dues renewal for 2019 if you have not yet renewed.
Holiday Moon Gazing Event, December 15, 2018
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Join the Friends of Savannas for the first Holiday Moon Gazing Event scheduled on Saturday, December 15, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Savannas Preserve State Park.
The Treasure Coast Astronomical Society will be leading a short presentation about the moon at 5:30 p.m. Starting at 6 p.m., you can take an up-close look at the moon through one of the several telescopes that will be set up. We invite you to participate in arts and crafts and fun astronomy-related activities. A short kid-friendly film will be playing continuously throughout the evening, starting at 6 p.m. Popcorn, hot chocolate, soda, and snacks will be available for purchase. Hayrides will be available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will provide a unique opportunity to see this beautiful, serene preserve from a different vantage point. Craft vendors will have booths set up throughout the evening. Take a walk around our Education Center and meet our Animal Ambassadors. A portion of the Clyde Butcher Living Waters photo collection will be available for viewing as well. Admission to this event is $4/adult, $2/child (Cash only). All proceeds benefit the Friends of Savannas and their mission to support the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of Savannas Preserve State Park. The Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center is located at 2541 SE Walton Road in Port St. Lucie. |
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Christmas Bird Count at Savannas Preserve State Park, December 16, 2018
We need your help! Please join the Savannas Preserve State Park on Sunday, December 16, 2018, for the 119th Annual Christmas Bird Count!
Every year, throughout the Americas, thousands of volunteers collect data on bird populations. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.
If you would like to get involved please contact Environmental Specialist, Doug Rogers at 772-340-7530 or by email at doug.t.rogers@floridadep.gov.
Volunteers will meet at the Education Center at 7:00 a.m. The volunteer program will last until about 4:00 p.m., however some volunteers will have the option to finish around 12:00 p.m.
Please bring a lunch, plenty of drinking water, field clothes, binoculars, and a Bird ID book if you have one. The Education Center is located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie, FL 34952.
Every year, throughout the Americas, thousands of volunteers collect data on bird populations. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.
If you would like to get involved please contact Environmental Specialist, Doug Rogers at 772-340-7530 or by email at doug.t.rogers@floridadep.gov.
Volunteers will meet at the Education Center at 7:00 a.m. The volunteer program will last until about 4:00 p.m., however some volunteers will have the option to finish around 12:00 p.m.
Please bring a lunch, plenty of drinking water, field clothes, binoculars, and a Bird ID book if you have one. The Education Center is located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie, FL 34952.
