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The Friends of the Savannas
The Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to support the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of Savannas Preserve State Park. Many of the events and educational programs that occur at the park are supported by this organization, whether it be through the mediums of providing the funds or manpower necessary to make the event successful. Many of its members also volunteer at the park to help carry out the mission of the Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park and the Florida Park Service through their time and dedicated service.
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Online Store Now Open for Event Registrations
To register for workshops and special events, please visit https://squareup.com/store/friends-of-savannas/ to go to our Online Store.
Watch the new video about Florida State Parks
Become a Member of the Friends of Savannas!
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 |
Clyde Butcher Photo Exhibit, November 23 to mid-December 2018
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 through mid-December 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.
Members of the Friends of Savannas members-only wine and cheese open house 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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Sunday Guided Kayak Tours resume December 9, 2018
What: Sunday Guided Kayaking Programs
Who: Any individual over the age of 6; Ages 6-10 must be in a double kayak with an adult
Where: Savannas Preserve State Park Canoe Launch located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie
How: CALL TO MAKE RESERVATIONS - 772-398-2779
Other: Cost is $10 per person donation to the Friends of Savannas, plus the state park admission fee ($3 for a vehicle with up to 8 people). Fees must be paid in exact cash. All equipment is included with your donation. Participants should dress for the weather and bring drinking water and an I.D.
Who: Any individual over the age of 6; Ages 6-10 must be in a double kayak with an adult
Where: Savannas Preserve State Park Canoe Launch located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie
How: CALL TO MAKE RESERVATIONS - 772-398-2779
Other: Cost is $10 per person donation to the Friends of Savannas, plus the state park admission fee ($3 for a vehicle with up to 8 people). Fees must be paid in exact cash. All equipment is included with your donation. Participants should dress for the weather and bring drinking water and an I.D.
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.
Miss Lucie's Pioneer Day, January 5, 2019
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Take a step back in time during the 10th annual Pioneer Day Festival on Saturday, January 5, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 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.
The Pioneer Day Festival showcases many time period exhibits and demonstrations, including cooking over hot coals, storytelling, and muzzle-loading. Demonstrators will show participants crafty ways to use corn husks, pine cones, and other natural resources. Guided hikes and kayak tours will be offered throughout the event. Weather permitting, Savannas Preserve State Park staff will perform a prescribed fire demonstration. 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 was credited with planting some of the first pineapple plantations in the area. Soon after establishing the plantation and his home on a high bank located along the west Indian River Shore, Captain Richards’ family, including his daughter Lucie, joined him here. Lucie began writing a series of letters to her old friend in New Jersey that detailed her daily life as a Florida pioneer. The letters have since been compiled into a volume called “The Memories of Eden.” 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 Savannas Education Center is located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie. Admission to the event is $3/person; cash only. For more information about Pioneer Day, please call the Education Center at 772-398-2779. |
2019 Birding Workshops
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Are you interested in birding, but not quite sure how to get started? Well don’t feel ‘hawk’ward! You’re not ‘owl’one! Join the Friends of Savannas for a 3-course series on Birding Basics.
Introduction to Birding The first course, The Introduction to Birding, will be offered on Saturday, February 2, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This course will cover a variety of topics including “Why should I go birding?”, basic optic use, and how to choose the best field guides. The class will conclude with a short walk through the Savannas to utilize newly learned observational skills. Advanced Introduction to Birding The second course, Advanced Introduction to Birding, will be offered on Saturday, March 2, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. During this course, the instructors will build on basic skills by teaching participants how to observe patterns in flight, song, and behavior to develop a more holistic approach to bird identification. Pish-Free Birding The third course, Pish-Free Birding, will be offered on Saturday, March 30, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This course is mostly a field-based activity which involves observing birds without disturbing them through the use of sounds (pishing) or call/song playbacks. The classes will be held at the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. Call 772-398-2779 with any questions. This course is designed for ages 15 and above. Admission for each class is $8 per person. Registration and pre-payment are required: Visit https://squareup.com/store/friends-of-savannas/ to go to our Online Store. Please wear closed-toed shoes and bring drinking water with you; optional items include binoculars, field guides, sunglasses, hat, etc. |
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Training Opportunity:
Managing Visitor Use in Coastal and Marine Protected Areas,
February 20-21, 2019
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Register for the NOAA-led Managing Visitor Use in Coastal and Marine Protected Areas Training at Savannas Preserve State Park!
Providing a meaningful visitor experience can be at odds with a mandate to protect fragile coastal resources. This course helps participants understand, monitor, and manage visitor use to maintain healthy resource conditions and high-quality visitor experiences. This training introduces participants to a step-by-step decision-making process used to identify unacceptable visitor use impacts and explore a range of helpful strategies and tactics to address them. At this two-day training, you will learn how to:
Training details: Date: Wednesday, February 20 thru Thursday, February 21, 2019 (attendance at both days is required) Location: Savannas Preserve State Park Environmental Education Center, 2541 SE Walton Rd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Costs: Free To Register email: Emily.Dark@FloridaDEP.gov (spaces are limited) |
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A Flyover Video Through The Savannas PreserveCheck out this video by one of our previous resident volunteers, Alan Nyiri! It gives you an amazing taste of what the Savannas Preserve State Park has to offer for you, your friends, and your family.
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