Ranger Programs
View Statewide Ranger Programs
View ranger programs taking place in:
COME MEET THE BIRDS OF ANASTASIA
Anastasia State Park
Times vary for monthly bird walks, please call 904-461-2035 for more information.
GUIDED TOURS OF THE CAPE FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Thurs. - Mon., 10 AM & 1 PM
BREAKFAST WITH A RANGER - MARVELOUS MANGROVES: NATURES NURSERY.
Caladesi Island State Park
Sunday, Feb. 19. (Rescheduled from December)
RANGER LED GUIDED WALK
Cayo Costa State Park
Fridays 11:00 a.m.: Jan 18 and 25, Feb 15 and 22, Mar 15 and 22, Apr 19 and 26, May 17 and 24.
RANGER LED KAYAK TOURS
Cayo Costa State Park
Fridays 11:00 a.m.: Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10.
HIKING THE HIGH MARSH AT LITTLE PINE ISLAND
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
Saturday and Wednesday Mornings from 9am-12:00pm until April 13th 2013
ST. JOSEPH HISTORY TOUR
Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Thursday - Monday 9 AM - 12 PM, 1 - 5 PM
TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY: NOW AND THEN
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Off-site schools as requested.
DELICATE BALANCE OF NATURE LECTURE SERIES
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
Wednesdays, January 9 through March 27, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM (park gate opens at 7:00 PM)
DUDLEY FARM HISTORIC PARK TOUR
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
Second Saturday of the month. October to January, March and May. Starting at 10:00 a.m. Meet at the Visitors Center.
TRADITIONAL CRAFTS & DOMESTIC SKILLS
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
Each Wednesday of the month EXCEPT the 3rd Wednesday, and holidays and December.
DAILY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Ongoing
Park rangers and volunteers present educational programs throughout the day, every day of the year.
Educational Program Schedule
- Manatee Program - 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Wildlife Encounters - 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Alligator and Hippopotamus - 12:30 p.m.
Manatee Program
Manatee programs are offered three times a day at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. A Park Ranger or Wildlife Care Volunteer presents an informative program on the history of this endangered marine mammal and general information on the wild manatee population. They also explain the State Park's role as a rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned manatees in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Presenters show the audience manatee bones and tracking equipment to make the program more interesting and fun. Visitors may see the State Park's resident manatees in the spring, from the Fish Bowl underwater observatory or in the in-ground pool. Wild manatees can often be seen visiting the Blue Waters area off the Garden of the Springs.
Wildlife Encounters
Wildlife Encounter programs are held twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and at 2:30 p.m. at the Wildlife Encounter Pavilion. A Park Ranger or Wildlife Care Volunteer introduces an example of a native Florida species, which may be a bird of prey, an opossum, a gopher tortoise or a non-venomous snake. They discuss the species' range, diet and role in the eco-system and answer questions from the audience. Visitors are encouraged to preserve and protect Florida's native wildlife and natural resources.
Alligator and Hippopotamus Program
The alligator and hippopotamus program is presented daily at 12:30 p.m. A Park Ranger or Wildlife Care Volunteer discusses the history of the American alligator and its range, diet and role in the eco-system. After the alligator presentation, the ranger or volunteer introduces the Park's African hippopotamus, explaining why a Florida State Park has an example of this exotic species, how he came to be here, his history in television and film and why a Florida Governor made him an Honorary Florida citizen.
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.
(352) 628-5343
FRIENDS OF FAKAHATCHEE - GUIDED SWAMP WALKS
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturday (November - April)
ARCHAEOLOGY AND YOU SERIES: EDIBLE ARCHAEOLOGY
Fort Mose Historic State Park
RANGER LED BEACH WALK
Gasparilla Island State Park
Wednesdays at 9 a.m. - January 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; February 6, 13, 20, and 27; March 6, 13, 20, and 27; April 3, 10, 17 and 24; and May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
TRAM TOURS
Highlands Hammock State Park
Tuesdays - Fridays at 1:00 p.m.and Saturdays & Sundays at 1:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
MONTHLY SHELL SHOW & EXHIBIT
Honeymoon Island State Park
3rd Saturday of the month. Time: Ongoing - Stop in anytime from 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
MAKE N TAKE RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Honeymoon Island State Park
Held once monthly, Call nature center at 727-738-2903 or visit www.islandparks.org/rainbarrel to check date and time.
RANGER WALKS AND GUIDED TRAIL WALKS
Honeymoon Island State Park
Every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday. November thru February only. Each walk above departs promptly at 11:00 a.m.
GUIDED SEA TURTLE WALKS
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
June & July, 8:00 PM - Midnight (Call for specific dates)
DELICATE BALANCE OF NATURE LECTURE SERIES
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Wednesday evenings, January 9 through March 27, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM (park gate opens at 7:00 PM)
GUIDED HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDE
Lake Kissimmee State Park
Available Upon Request November _ March 1:00 PM - aprox. 3PM
CAMPER POTLUCK
Lake Manatee State Park
One weekday from 4:00 p.m. until sundown. December through end of March 2013
GO OUTSIDE TALLAHASSEE! TALK ON NORTH FLORIDA RAVINE SYSTEMS
Lake Talquin State Park
Saturday, October 9 & Sunday, October 10, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
RANGER-GUIDED TOUR
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Year-round, Friday through Sunday, 10 AM & 2 PM
VARIOUS RANGER PROGRAMS
Manatee Springs State Park
Offered every Saturday during the months of October, November, February & March.
MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS HOUSE TOUR
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
MARJORIE K. RAWLINGS AND BLACK HISTORY
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
CHECK THE EVENTS PAGE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ALL PARK PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Myakka River State Park
GENTLE WALK AND TALK
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
First and third Thursday of every month; October through March
RANGER'S CHOICE
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
2nd & 4th Saturday of the month; November to April.
CAMPFIRE/CAMPING PROGRAM
Rainbow Springs State Park
Saturdays, May through August; starting around Sunset
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
Savannas Preserve State Park
Year-round, Thurs. - Mon., 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
BEGINNING JEWELRY CLASS
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Wednesdays and Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
FIRST SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Call park for dates and times.
WORKING CRAFTSMEN AND CLASSES IN CRAFT SQUARE
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Call park for dates and times.
JUNIOR BLACKSMITHING WORKSHOP
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
BLACKSMITHING WORKSHOP
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
INTERMEDIATE JEWELRY CLASS
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Wednesdays and Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
RANGER LED NATURE HIKE
Stump Pass Beach State Park
Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. January 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; February 6, 13, 20, and 27; March 6, 13, 20, and 27; and April 3, 10, 17 and 24
GUIDED TOURS OF THE BARNACLE
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Year-round, Friday - Monday; 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM
GUIDED GROUP TOURS OF THE BARNACLE
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Year-round, Wedesdays and Thursdays by reservation (2 week advance notice required)
TOPSAIL TOURS YEAR-ROUND
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Call the park or check the website for fees, schedules, and location.
SIRENS OF THE DEEP MERMAID CAMP
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Please call the park for available dates.
ADVENTURES UNDER THE SPRING MERMAID CAMP
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Please call the park for available dates.
DISCOVERY HOUR IN THE PARKWINTER/SPRING 2013
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Every Saturday Morning, February 2 - April 20th
RANGER-GUIDED TOUR
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
Year-round, Friday through Sunday, 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
RISE AND SHINE, TAMPA! LIGHT YOGA AND STRETCH
Ybor City Museum State Park
Saturdays. Yoga: 09:30 a.m.
