2021 Events
First Day Hikes, January 1, 2021:
Self-Guided at Hawk’s Bluff Trail, 8:30-11 a.m.
Self-Guided along Main Entrance Trail, 12:30-3 p.m.
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On New Year’s Day, America’s State Parks will once again be celebrating with First Day Hikes. These hikes provide a means for individuals and families to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising, and connecting with nature. For many, it has become a tradition. Last year nearly 85,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 176,366 miles throughout the country.
This year we will be hosting self-guided hikes on two of our trails. Bring the whole household and enjoy a day in the fresh air. You can walk for as long or as short as you like. Ranger Paul will be walking the trails and will be ready to wish you a Happy New Year and answer any questions you may have. From 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., you can find Ranger Paul along the Hawk’s Bluff Trail. From 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., he will be wandering the trails near the Education Center and Canoe Launch at the Park’s Main Entrance. **Hawk’s Bluff Trail is located at approximately 4680 NE Savannah Road, Jensen Beach – Parking is available on the side of the road; please do not block the park gate. Note: This location is not equipped with restrooms or a water source. **The Main Entrance is located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie. You can park in the main parking lot and walk the trails or drive to the end of Canoe Launch Road (take the dirt road on the left at the entrance) and start your hike from there. Note: Porta-potties and/or Clivus units are available for use. **Park Admission of $3 per vehicle is required. **Please follow all local safety guidelines while in the park. Due to local orders, facial coverings or masks are required when in public for staff and visitor safety. Visitors are expected to maintain distances of at least six feet apart. |
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Miss Lucie's Pioneer Day, January 30, 2021
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MISS LUCIE’S PIONEER DAY FESTIVAL
-A Living History Event for the Family- Take a step back in time during the 12th annual Pioneer Day Festival on Saturday, January 30, 2021, sponsored by the Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park. Visitors will experience living history as they explore how people in Florida lived circa mid-19th century. As with many of our upcoming events, this Pioneer Day is going to look a bit different than in past years, so please be sure to read all the details below! Pioneer Day will take place on January 30, 2021. The day will be split into two time slots: 10 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 3 pm. The same activities and demonstrations will take place during both time slots. * Tickets are REQUIRED to be pre-purchased by visiting friends-of-savannas.square.site. * Cost is $2 per person. * Each ticket will be good for one person for one time slot. * There will be a maximum of 35 participants per timeslot. * Be prepared to provide the name on your reservation upon arrival, and your entire party must arrive at the same time. * Tickets are non-refundable for any reason, to include inclement weather. * Children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. * Masks are required while in the event area; visitors are expected to maintain distances of at least six feet apart. The history of the Treasure Coast largely revolves around the Pineapple Farming Industry. By 1895, the Jensen Beach area was known as “The Pineapple Capital of the World." Captain Thomas E. Richards and his family, including his daughter Lucie Richards, were credited with planting some of the first pineapple plantations in the area. Lucie began writing a series of letters to her old friend in New Jersey that detailed her daily life as a Florida Pioneer. Miss Lucie’s letters provide us with invaluable insight into what the life of a Pioneer entailed. Join us on Pioneer Day as we explore the life of Miss Lucie. The Pioneer Day Festival will feature * several demonstration booths showcasing the processes of constructing a corn husk doll, grinding corn, grinding coffee beans, clothes washing with a washboard and lye soap, and more! * An outdoor, walk-through mini-museum will display historic artifacts and the story of the Richards’ Family Pineapple Plantation. * A self-guided hike offers visitors an opportunity to follow the “The Secret Life of a Pineapple” from a tiny slip to a mature fruit. * A self-guided program will feature the pioneer-era uses of native plants and animals. Pioneer Project Activity Bags will be jam-packed with wood spinning tops, paper dolls, tin punching supplies, button spinners, a pre-made corn husk doll, a Pioneer Passport (and more!) for families to craft and play together. Fill up the Passport to earn some goodies from “The General Store” at the event. The Activity Bags are not included with event entry; bags are available for pre-purchase at $5 each at friends-of-savannas.square.site. (Recommended for children ages 6 and up; please visit the purchasing website for additional information). The Pioneer Day Festival will take place outside the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34952. For more information about Pioneer Day, please call the Education Center at 772-398-2779. |
Heritage of Hawk’s Bluff: Black History Day Self-Guided Hike
Saturday, February 27, 2021
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The Savannas Preserve State Park will host a self-guided hike featuring the Heritage of Hawk’s Bluff and local Black History on Saturday, February 27th, 2021.
The event will provide community members an opportunity to explore the great outdoors through a short self-guided hike on the Glass Lizard Trail, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., near the Savannas Preserve State Park Environmental Education Center with interpretive signage showcasing the former African American Settlement of Tick Ridge. |
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International Day of Forests: Air Potato Roundup! Volunteer Opportunity,
Sunday, March 21, 2021
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Savannas Preserve State Park is hosting an invasive exotic plant species removal project in honor of International Day of Forests.
The AmeriCorps Members at Savannas Preserve State Park are inviting up to 8 volunteers for an Air Potato Roundup. Enjoy the great outdoors while helping us with our efforts. We will be meeting at Savannas Preserve: Miller Property located at the end of Lewis Street, Fort Pierce, FL 34981. Please bring gloves, a reusable water bottle, and closed-toed shoes. Recommended items include sunscreen, hat, long pants, and long sleeves. Volunteers are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Registration is required by emailing AmeriCorps Member Annie at [email protected] |
Egg Extravaganza!, Saturday, March 27, 2021
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On March 27, 2021, celebrate Egg Extravaganza!! with us by taking a winding walk along the Glass Lizard Trail from 10 am to 2 pm. The quarter-mile long trail will be transformed into an educational experience, prompting guests to match pictures of eggs to a list of animals. Enter the trail to the right of the Education Center. Bounce, walk or skip down the path, taking time to stop and answer the riddle on each interpretive sign along the way. The trail is ideal for younger ages, but adults may learn a thing or two as well! Children ages 5-8 may enjoy the Egg-citing Activity Boxes described below.
Egg-citing Activity Boxes will be jam-packed with supplies to craft your own animal eggs and nests! The family can work together to build a bird nest, assemble a bundle of snail eggs, and help a cluster of frog eggs find their way home. The Activity Boxes are not included with event entry; boxes are available for pre-purchase at $5 each at friends-of-savannas.square.site. (Recommended for children ages 5 and up; please visit the purchasing website for additional information). |
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Spring Equinox Drum Circle, Sunday, March 28 and Monday, March 29, 2021
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Celebrate the beginning of Spring with local drumming enthusiasts at the Spring Equinox Drum Circles hosted by the Savannas Preserve State Park! This drum circle is going to look a bit different than our past events so please be sure to read all the details.
Savannas Preserve State Park is going to host two drum circles: one on March 28 and one on March 29, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night. * Tickets are REQUIRED to be pre-purchased by visiting friends-of-savannas.square.site. * Cost is $6 per person (infants and toddlers are free). Each ticket is good for one person for one evening. * Maximum of 45 participants per evening. * Please arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the event start to check-in and find a parking spot. * Your entire party must arrive at the same time. Be prepared to provide the name on your reservation. * Tickets are non-refundable for any reason, to include inclement weather. * Masks are required during the event unless you are seated. |
Celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day, April 10, 2021
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Enjoy the Savannas Preserve State Park during a Gopher Tortoise Celebration, on Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include:
* a self-guided scavenger hunt along the trails to search for signs that a Gopher Tortoise is nearby. * Guided hikes will be offered at 10:15, 11:15, and 12:15 - Reservations Required. Each hike will be limited to 6 people. The guided hikes will last approximately 45 mins and will cover approximately 1 mile. Masks are required during guided programs. You can make reservations for the guided hikes by visiting friends-of-savannas.square.site. * A Mock Gopher Tortoise Monitoring Experience is available to participants for pre-purchase. The Experience will gain youth participants entry to our mock Gopher Tortoise holding area. There will be pictures of 3 “patients” for our youth biologists to examine and collect data on using magnifying glasses, measuring tools, and keen observation skills. All data will be recorded in a Field Notebook, which also includes additional educational activities and craft instructions. This Experience is not included with event entry; it is available for pre-purchase at $5 a child at friends-of-savannas.square.site. (Recommended for children ages 6 and up; please visit the purchasing website for additional information). |
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Saga of the Savannas, April 24, 2021
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Saga of the Savannas: Celebrating our 44th Birthday
The Savannas Preserve State Park will host a self-guided hike featuring a chronological timeline of Savannas history from the Ais Indians to State Park status and more. The event will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the Glass Lizard Trail near the Savannas Preserve State Park Environmental Education Center. The event will provide community members an opportunity to explore the great outdoors through a short self-guided hike with interpretive signage showcasing the former and current significance of this land. |
Remember the Ais, May 8, 2021
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Did you know the Treasure Coast was once home to the Ais Indians, a Native American tribe? Take a stroll along the Glass Lizard Trail of the Savannas Preserve State Park to learn about the lifestyle and history of the Ais Indians. The self-guided trail will be open on Saturday, May 8th from 10 am to 2 pm. Participants can follow along the ¼ mile trail to view drawings and read facts about the now extinct tribe.
Remember the Ais Activity Bags are available to participants for pre-purchase. Activities include making ink from berries and weaving a small basket. The bags also include additional educational activities to complete along the self-guided trail. This Activity Bag is not included with event entry; it is available for pre-purchase at $5 a bag at friends-of-savannas.square.site. (Recommended for children ages 6 and up; please visit the purchasing website for additional information). |
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Weed Warrior Workday, May 22, 2021
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Weed Warrior Workday: Invasive Plant Removal at Jensen Beach
Savannas Preserve State Park is hosting an invasive exotic plant species removal workday in order to restore native habitat. The AmeriCorps members at Savannas Preserve State Park are inviting up to 8 volunteers for this volunteer event. Enjoy the great outdoors while helping us with our efforts. The service project will take place on Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will be meeting at Savannas Preserve State Park Jensen Beach Entrance located at 700 Block NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach, located just east of the Jensen Beach Blvd/Green River Parkway intersection. Please bring gloves, a reusable water bottle, and wear closed-toed shoes. Recommended items include sunscreen, hat, long pants, and long sleeves. Volunteers are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Join us! Registration is required by emailing Annie at [email protected] by Thursday, May 20th at 5 p.m. |
Tales on the Trails, June 5 - July 31, 2021
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Take a trip to tour the “Tales on the Trails” at Savannas Preserve State Park. A 5-part literacy program will take place this summer every other Saturday on June 5 and 19; July 3, 17, and 31, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Environmentally-themed storybooks will be placed along a trail for visitors to read as they stroll along. Each date of the program will feature a new book. Upon arrival, be sure to pick up your Official Tales on the Trails Passport from the trail entrance. Earn prizes by filling in your Passport; each time you return for a new Tale on the Trail, you’ll receive a stamp to put in your passport. Earn 3 stamps to become a “Happy Hiker” or earn all 5 stamps to become a “Trail Trekker.” Prizes can be collected at the trail entrance as well. This program is geared toward participants in early childhood (Kindergarten – 4th grade) but anyone is welcome to join in. |
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Celebrate Friendly Fire, June 12, 2021
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Enjoy the Savannas Preserve State Park and learn about Prescribed Fires during a Friendly Fire Celebration, on Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wildland Firefighters and Park Rangers will be on site ready to answer questions. Firetrucks and other wildland fire equipment will be on display. Burn bucket demonstrations will take place throughout the day, weather permitting.
Have you ever wondered what wildlife does during fires? Follow along a self-guided hike to find out the answer. Participants can follow along a ¼ mile trail starting to the right of the Education Center; the trail is unpaved and could possibly be muddy. We encourage closed-toed shoes that can get wet. |
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