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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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NOTICES
* If you have an Annual Pass for Florida State Parks:
Please write your member number (back of your card) on the blue payment envelope before depositing it in the "iron ranger" at any of our park entrances Accurately counting the number of visitors to our park helps ensure that we will remain open. Thank you!
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* ONLINE REGISTRATION ~ FEES
To register for programs, workshops & special events click --> Registration
To pay fees for Homeschool Hopper click --> Hopper Fees
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PARK ACTIVITIES SUSPENDED
On March 17, 2020, the Florida Park Service suspended all events and group activities for 60 days.
As of March 23, 2020, Savannas Preserve State Park is closed until further notice.Message from the Florida State Park Service: “At the direction of Governor DeSantis and to successfully uphold CDC guidance, DEP will close all Florida State Parks to the public effective Monday, March 23. DEP has taken many measures to continue providing resource recreation at our state parks during this time, such as limiting operating hours and reducing visitor capacity at parks with high visitation. Unfortunately, this has not resulted in the reductions needed to best protect public health and safety as Florida continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to prioritize the welfare of our communities and staff. We look forward to welcoming you again to our award winning state parks as soon as possible. As always, we will be providing updates to the public on the Florida State Parks webpage and social media channels.”
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EVENTS - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020
Sunset Kayak Guided Tours resume January 6, 2020
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Enjoy the serenity of the Savannas Basin Marsh at sunset during these limited-edition tours. Cost is $15 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. Minimum age for participation is 6 years old. Participants ages 6-10 must be in a double kayak with an adult. Please see below for a complete list of dates and arrival times. Reservations required by calling the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center at 772-398-2779.
2020 Schedule: 1/6/2020, Monday 5 pm 1/7/2020, Tuesday 5 pm 2/5/2020, Wednesday 5:25 pm 2/6/2020, Thursday 5:25 pm 3/5/2020, Thursday 5:45 pm 3/6/2020, Friday 5:45 pm 4/3/2020, Friday 6:55 pm - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020 4/4/2020, Saturday 6:55 pm - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020 All proceeds benefit the Friends of Savannas and their mission to support the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of Savannas Preserve State Park. |
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Song Circle and Folk Jam, January 12, 2020 - December 13, 2020
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Enjoy the wonder of old-fashioned porch music right here at Savannas Preserve State Park! Pull up a chair and listen, or bring an instrument and join in the jam. This program is free with paid park admission ($3 for a vehicle with up to 8 people; cash only). No reservations required. The Song Circles take place from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most song circles will take place outside. Feel free to bring your own chair.
The schedule for 2020 is: Sundays, January 12, February 9, March 8, April 5 (cancelled), May 3 (cancelled), June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8, and December 13. |
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Guided Park Excursions in the Pine Flatwoods, Sundays, January 19, February 9, March 8, and April 12, 2020 (9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020
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Traverse the park with a park naturalist as your guide. Hike up to one mile of trails while experiencing the beautiful sights and sounds of the flatwoods and freshwater marsh of the Savannas Preserve State Park.
Free with paid park admission ($3 per vehicle – must be paid in cash). Reservations required - Call (772) 398-2779. The group will meet at the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. |
Guided Park Excursions at Hawk's Bluff, Sundays, January 26, February 23, March 29 (Cancelled effective March 14, 2020), and April 26, 2020 (Cancelled effective March 23, 2020)
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Traverse the park with a park naturalist as your guide! Hike approximately one mile of trails while experiencing the beautiful sights and sounds of the scrub habitat and freshwater marsh of the Hawk’s Bluff Trail at Savannas Preserve State Park.
Free with paid park admission ($3 for a vehicle with up to 8 people). Reservations required - Call (772) 398-2779. The group will meet at the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, and will caravan to the Hawk's Bluff Trail in Jensen Beach. |
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Treasure Coast Explorer Series, February 28-April 24, 2020 (Cancelled effective March 12, 2020)
(Cancelled effective March 14, 2020) Become a Citizen Scientist with the New Treasure Coast Explorer Series
Local scientists and environmental educators are partnering to offer a discovery learning opportunity for area adults, starting Feb. 28.
Nine science and environmental organizations will host a weekly immersion series known as The Treasure Coast Explorer Series: Becoming a Citizen Scientist. In this collaborative science series, adult participants will visit natural areas and preserves to learn about local environmental issues and citizen science projects that address them. It is designed to give an overview of local habitats, wildlife, environmental issues, and citizen science projects.
The series runs Feb. 28 through April 24, with sessions taking place each Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at various locations across the Treasure Coast.
The series is designed specifically for ages 17 and older. The cost for the nine-part series is $65 per participant. Pre-registration is required by calling Savannas Preserve State Park at 772-398-2779.
The series dates/topics include:
· Feb. 28: Living Shorelines - Ocean Research & Conservation Association
· March 6: Invasive Reptiles on the Treasure Coast - The Oxbow Eco-Center
· March 13: Water Quality Monitoring - Florida Oceanographic Society (Cancelled effective March 12, 2020)
· March 20: Dragonflies & Biodiversity - The Environmental Learning Center (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· March 27: Microplastic Pollution Lab - Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 3: Cetacean Science - FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 10: Mangroves Matter - Marine Recourses Council (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 17: Sea Turtle Nesting - Stella Maris Environmental Research (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 24: Scrub Jay Watch - Savannas Preserve State Park (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
For more information and to register, call the Savannas Preserve State Park at 772-398-2779.
Local scientists and environmental educators are partnering to offer a discovery learning opportunity for area adults, starting Feb. 28.
Nine science and environmental organizations will host a weekly immersion series known as The Treasure Coast Explorer Series: Becoming a Citizen Scientist. In this collaborative science series, adult participants will visit natural areas and preserves to learn about local environmental issues and citizen science projects that address them. It is designed to give an overview of local habitats, wildlife, environmental issues, and citizen science projects.
The series runs Feb. 28 through April 24, with sessions taking place each Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at various locations across the Treasure Coast.
The series is designed specifically for ages 17 and older. The cost for the nine-part series is $65 per participant. Pre-registration is required by calling Savannas Preserve State Park at 772-398-2779.
The series dates/topics include:
· Feb. 28: Living Shorelines - Ocean Research & Conservation Association
· March 6: Invasive Reptiles on the Treasure Coast - The Oxbow Eco-Center
· March 13: Water Quality Monitoring - Florida Oceanographic Society (Cancelled effective March 12, 2020)
· March 20: Dragonflies & Biodiversity - The Environmental Learning Center (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· March 27: Microplastic Pollution Lab - Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 3: Cetacean Science - FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 10: Mangroves Matter - Marine Recourses Council (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 17: Sea Turtle Nesting - Stella Maris Environmental Research (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
· April 24: Scrub Jay Watch - Savannas Preserve State Park (Cancelled effective March 18, 2020)
For more information and to register, call the Savannas Preserve State Park at 772-398-2779.
Air Potato Roundup, Saturday, March 14, 2020 - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020
On March 14th, 2020 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., we will be hosting a volunteer day at the Savannas Preserve Miller Property for an Air Potato Roundup. We will be scavenging for air potato bulbils which grow on invasive vines in order to discard them.
For more information or to volunteer, contact sarah.j.rivera@floridadep.gov or annie.alcolea@floridadep.gov
For more information or to volunteer, contact sarah.j.rivera@floridadep.gov or annie.alcolea@floridadep.gov
Warriors in the Wild, March 22, 2020 - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020
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The Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park will host an event for local veterans and their families on Sunday, March 22, 2020, with activities starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Warriors in the Wild is a special event designed to connect veterans with the serenity and wonder of Florida's natural systems. Please see below for a full list of scheduled events:
1. Kayak tours will be offered at 8:45 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. These tours will be free to veterans and one guest only and require pre-registration by calling 772-398-2779 (please bring a veteran I.D. card to present at the time of the tour). 2. A 1-mile guided hike is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. This is free for veterans and all family members. This activity requires pre-registration by calling 772-398-2779. 3. ¼ mile guided hikes are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 11: 30 am. These are free for veterans and all family members. This activity requires pre-registration by calling 772-398-2779. 4. Live animal shows will take place at 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 am in the Lecture Hall. This is free and does not require registration. 5. At 11 a.m., Diane Goldberg will present “Butterfly, Moth and Bird Gardening using Native Plants” in the Lecture Hall. This is free and does not require registration. 6. A step-by-step patriotic painting class will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. All painting supplies and canvas are included for the price of $29. Pre-registration and payment are required by visiting: https://floridaartescape.com/. 7. Local businesses will share their recreational and veteran-oriented services/events at informational booths from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 8. Food trucks, including Florida BBQ Company, will be selling some delicious food at the pavilion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 9. Cake will be served around 12 p.m. at the pavilion, after the Pledge of Allegiance and a quick “Thank you” from our staff and non-profit members. Veterans interested in participating in Warriors in the Wild should call the Savannas Education Center at 772-398-2779. Space is limited for several of the events and reservations are required. Reservists, National Guardsmen, and Active Duty Military Personnel are also invited to participate. Activities will take place at the main entrance of the Savannas Preserve State Park located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie. |
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Paint PARTy, Sunday, March 29, 2020 - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020
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Paint pARTy FUNdraiser: “Pineapple PINE~eers”
Join us at the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center, 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, for a FUN afternoon of Painting on March 29, 2020 from 1 pm to 3 pm! Rita will take you step-by-step through this wonderful painting on a 16x20 canvas. *No Experience Necessary. Ages 10+ (under age of 18 must reserve with an adult). The class is $30 per person and includes all paint supplies and tools needed. Price also includes park admission and a portion of the proceeds benefits Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park. *ADVANCE reservation is REQUIRED ~ Reserve Early. Visit www.FloridaArtEscape.com to reserve your easel now! |
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Spring Equinox Drum Circle, Sunday, March 29, 2020 - Cancelled effective March 14, 2020
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Celebrate the first day of Spring with local drumming enthusiasts at the Spring Equinox Drum Circle hosted by the Savannas Preserve State Park! Please feel free to bring a drum if you have one, and join in the rhythm. Or you can just come and enjoy the ambiance in this beautiful and natural Preserve.
Cost is $5/person, Children under 12 are free (CASH ONLY). Limited supply of musical instruments available for sale during the event – proceeds benefit the Friends of Savannas. No reservations required. The Savannas Preserve State Park is located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie, FL 34952. The Drum Circle is from 7 pm to 9 pm on Sunday, March 29, 2020. Admission fees can be paid starting at 6:30 p.m. |
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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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