Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park

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.

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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EDUCATION CENTER CLOSED
The main Education Center is
closed until further notice.
Starting October 12:

An Information Desk will be open Saturdays & Sundays
9 a.m. - 5 p.m
Located in building left of Education Center

All school programs and public events will continue unless otherwise noted.
Posted Oct. 5, 2019

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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NATIVE PLANT SALES
Returning: Oct. 12
Saturdays & Sundays
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cash Only Please

Needed changes are temporary.
We appreciate you patience and your patronage. Thank you!

Watch the new video about Florida State Parks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ipgl9ldOM&feature=youtu.be

Become a Member of the Friends of Savannas!

Guided Park Excursions in the Pine Flatwoods, October 13, November 10, and December 8, 2019 (9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)

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, October 27, November 24, and December 22, 2019 (9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)

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.

Guided Nature Hike at Jensen Beach entrance, December 12, 2019

Photo by Paul Milette

Join Ranger Paul for a walk in the park at sunset, then enjoy the full moon rise over the pine flatwoods. You’ll get the chance to experience the park after the gates have closed, take in the afterglow of the sunset and watch the moon rise in the sky, all weather permitting, of course.

Bring your camera and tripod or cell phone for pictures, or just yourself for this special experience. Bring water, and bug spray and wear closed-toe shoes.

Space is limited so call the Education Center at 772-398-2779 for reservations.

Meet at the Jensen Beach Blvd. parking lot at 5 p.m. The Jensen Beach entrance is located in the 700 Block of NE Jensen Beach Blvd, just East of the Green River Parkway intersection.

Guided hikes are free with paid park admission ($3 cash per vehicle – exact change required).

Winter Solstice Drum Circle, December 22, 2019

Celebrate the longest night of the year with local drumming enthusiasts at the Winter Solstice 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. 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 December 22, 2019. Please do not arrive to the Education Center prior to 6:30 p.m.

Miss Lucie's Pioneer Day Festival, January 4, 2020

Take a step back in time during the 11th annual Pioneer Day Festival on Saturday, January 4th 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, flywheel engine demonstrations, quilters, basketry and more! Demonstrators will show participants crafty ways to use corn husks 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. Heirloom Entrees will be on-site selling food throughout the event.

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 “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, Florida 34952.

Admission to the event is $3/person; cash only.

For more information about Pioneer Day, please call the Education Center at 772 398-2779.

Sunset Kayak Guided Tours resume January 6, 2020

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
4/4/2020, Saturday 6:55 pm

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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A Flyover Video Through The Savannas Preserve

Check 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.