Special Events for Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

• MONTHLY BIRD WALKS
  Date: See table of dates.
  Description: Novice and experienced birders are invited to take a guided bird walk on Pepper Creek Trail. Bring binoculars and field guide if you have them. This leisurely-paced walk is on an accessible paved trail winding through a hydric hammock along Pepper Creek. Please call the park office (352-628-5343) if you have questions. All walks start at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Meet at 7:45 a.m. to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
  
  MONTHLY BIRD WALK ON PEPPER CREEK TRAIL
  

  September 26, 2009		8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  October 24, 2009		8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  November 28, 2009		8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  January 23, 2010		8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  February 27, 2010		8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  March 27, 2010		8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  April 24, 2010		8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

  
  
  Fees: Monthly bird walks are FREE!
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
  Date: December 18th through December 24th, with an extra night on December 26th, 2009. 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
  Description: The community is invited to come out and enjoy the park decked out for the holidays with thousands of twinkling lights and Christmas decorations during this multi-evening event. A variety of entertainment will be scheduled and refreshments will be available.
  Sponsored by the Friends of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.
  
  Fees: Suggested donation of $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for children.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• WILDLIFE JEOPARDY PROGRAMS
  Date: See table of dates.
  Description: A question and answer Jeopardy-style program good for all ages. A different animal is the topic each month. Every Jeopardy program takes place on a Saturday from 12:00 noon to 12:30 p.m. Please call the park office (352-628-5343) if you have questions. Presented by the Children’s Education Center in the Wildlife Park.
  Wildlife Jeopardy Programs
  
  
  

  December 19, 2009		Armadillos.
  January 9, 2010		Reptiles
  February 13, 2010		Bears
  March 13, 2010		Whooping Cranes
  April 10, 2010		Amphibians
  May 8, 2010		Wolves

  
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• LU, THE HIPPO’S 50TH BIRTHDAY
  Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010. Parties scheduled at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  Description: Lu will celebrate his 50th birthday on January 26 complete with a visit from students of Homosassa Elementary School, a birthday cake and music. A second party is held during the 12:30 p.m. Alligator and Hippo program.
  
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• STAFF ART AND CRAFT SHOW AND SALE
  Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010. Exhibits will be on display during park hours.
  Description: Annual exhibit and sale of arts and crafts by the park’s employees and volunteers in the Visitor Center of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
  
  Fees: Free!
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• CITRUS WATERCOLOR CLUB SHOW AND SALE
  Date: Saturday and Sunday, February 20 and 21, 2010. Exhibits will be on display during park hours.
  Description: Annual exhibit and sale of the art work of many area watercolor artists in the Visitor Center at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
  
  Fees: Free!
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• HOMOSASSA HERITAGE DAY
  Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010. 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
  Description: Heritage Day exhibits and programs in the Florida Room on the history of the park and the Homosassa area. Former employees, their families and anyone interested in the heritage of the park and this area are invited to attend. Former employees may register as Homosassa Heritage Keepers and will receive a pass for a complimentary visit to the wildlife park.
  
  Fees: Free admission to all activities in the Florida Room at the Visitor Center.
  Regular admission applies for entrance into the Wildlife Park.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• EASTER EGG HUNT
  Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010. Starts at 8:00 a.m.
  Description: The Friends of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park will hold an Easter Egg Hunt for area children. Activities include an Easter Egg hunt for plastic eggs, which can then be redeemed for goodies and trinkets. Parents can take children’s photos with the Easter Bunny and other costumed characters.
  
  Fees: Donation of $5.00 for children includes admission to park.
  Adults receive a 33% discount on park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOP
  Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010. 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
  Description: Marion Knudsen’s spring gardening workshops shows participants how you can use low-maintenance native plants and xeriscaping to conserve water resources and enjoy carefree Florida gardening. Please call the park reservations in advance.
  
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  
• SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOP
  Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2010. 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
  Description: Marion Knudsen’s spring gardening workshops shows participants how you can use low-maintenance native plants and xeriscaping to conserve water resources and enjoy carefree Florida gardening. Please call the park reservations in advance.
  
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
  

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Ranger Programs

• DAILY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
  Ongoing Park rangers and volunteers present educational programs throughout the day, every day of the year. Wildlife Encounters, given twice daily, offer information on Florida's snakes, birds of prey, and other Florida wildlife. Manatee Programs are presented three times each day at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m. with information on the park's manatee rehabilitation program and endangered manatees in general. An alligator and hippopotamus program is offered at 12:30 p.m. daily with information on American alligators and the park's hippopotamus.
  
  EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM SCHEDULE
  Wildlife Encounters 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  Manatee Program 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
  Alligator and Hippopotamus 12:30 p.m.
  
  Transportation from the Visitor Center on U.S. 19 to the West Entrance is by boat or tram. Boats leave on a regular basis throughout the day with the last boat leaving the Visitor Center for the park at 3:15 p.m. The last returning boat departs the West Entrance at 3:45 p.m.; trams provide return transportation to the visitor center until 5:30 p.m. Boat trips are approximately 25 minutes in length and offer an introduction to the Florida Park Service and the wildlife park as you travel along Pepper Creek.
  
  Call 352-628-5343 for more details.