Lovers Key offers nature programs
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Lovers Key State Park will present weekly programs on park history and wildlife throughout the month of January.
Programs are included in park admission fees of $4 for vehicles with one individual, $8 for vehicles with up to eight individuals and $2 per pedestrian or cyclist. All programs will take place at Lovers Key State Park and registration is required. The park offers many recreational opportunities to visitors with disabilities.
For assistance or to register, contact the park office at 463-4588.
All programs will take place in January at 10 a.m. at Lovers Key State Park
at 8700 Estero Blvd. Reservations are required for each event; call 463-4588.
January programs include:
– Birding Tour of Lovers Key: Wednesdays, Jan. 6 and 13 and Thursday, Jan. 21
Explore the prime birding areas of Lovers Key State Park with a park naturalist. Learn how to identify the birds you see and where to go in the park for great birding. A limited number of binoculars will be provided.
The Manatees and Dolphins of Lovers Key Talk: Thursday, Jan. 7
Meet with a park naturalist for an interesting and informative talk about Manatees and Dolphins. Learn what these fascinating creatures are all about and how you can help protect them.
– Lovers Key Fishing Clinic: Friday, Jan. 8
Join a park ranger to learn a variety of tackle and fresh bait rigs, find out the best places to drop a line, and learn about the rules and regulations that pertain to game fishing in Southwest Florida.
– Lovers Key Beach Walk: Tuesdays, Jan. 12, 19, 26
Take a leisurely one-mile walk over the estuary and along the beach with a park naturalist. Find out what washes ashore on the beach during the night and learn about coastal wildlife.
– The Beach of Lovers Key Talk: Thursday, Jan. 14
Meet with a park naturalist for an interesting and informative talk about the beach here at Lovers Key. Learn what a barrier island beach is all about and what types of wildlife call it home.
– Black Island Kayak Tour: Friday, Jan.15
Join a park ranger for a relaxing 1 1/2-mile kayak tour. Learn the history of Black Island and experience some of the wildlife that call the waterways of Lovers Key home. Bring your own kayak or rent one from the park concession.
– Treasures of the Atocha: Florida’s sunken treasure ship: Friday, Jan. 22
Join a park ranger for an exciting overview of the discovery of the sunken Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha. Learn about the ship’s history and sinking and see some actual treasure recovered from the wreck.
– The Turtles of Lovers Key Talk: Thursday, Jan. 28
Join a park naturalist to learn about the fascinating life of the marine turtles that visit Lovers Key each summer. Learn about their nesting behavior and find out what you can do to help protect them.
Lovers Key offers nature programs
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Lovers Key State Park will present weekly programs on park history and wildlife throughout the month of January.
Programs are included in park admission fees of $4 for vehicles with one individual, $8 for vehicles with up to eight individuals and $2 per pedestrian or cyclist. All programs will take place at Lovers Key State Park and registration is required. The park offers many recreational opportunities to visitors with disabilities.
For assistance or to register, contact the park office at 463-4588.
All programs will take place in January at 10 a.m. at Lovers Key State Park
at 8700 Estero Blvd. Reservations are required for each event; call 463-4588.
January programs include:
– Estuary Wading Trip: Tuesday, Jan. 5
Join a Park Naturalist to learn about the marine species that make the estuary and barrier island environments unique, and explore sea grass flats. Seahorses, shrimp, young fish, and egg casings of all sorts inhabit the grasses, which attract larger fish, mollusks and crustaceans, and manatees, dolphins and rays. Guests will get wet as they venture into the estuary. The Estuary Wading Trip is sponsored by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.
– Birding Tour of Lovers Key: Wednesdays, Jan. 6 and 13 and Thursday, Jan. 21
Explore the prime birding areas of Lovers Key State Park with a park naturalist. Learn how to identify the birds you see and where to go in the park for great birding. A limited number of binoculars will be provided.
The Manatees and Dolphins of Lovers Key Talk: Thursday, Jan. 7
Meet with a park naturalist for an interesting and informative talk about Manatees and Dolphins. Learn what these fascinating creatures are all about and how you can help protect them.
– Lovers Key Fishing Clinic: Friday, Jan. 8
Join a park ranger to learn a variety of tackle and fresh bait rigs, find out the best places to drop a line, and learn about the rules and regulations that pertain to game fishing in Southwest Florida.
– Lovers Key Beach Walk: Tuesdays, Jan. 12, 19, 26
Take a leisurely one-mile walk over the estuary and along the beach with a park naturalist. Find out what washes ashore on the beach during the night and learn about coastal wildlife.
– The Beach of Lovers Key Talk: Thursday, Jan. 14
Meet with a park naturalist for an interesting and informative talk about the beach here at Lovers Key. Learn what a barrier island beach is all about and what types of wildlife call it home.
– Black Island Kayak Tour: Friday, Jan.15
Join a park ranger for a relaxing 1 1/2-mile kayak tour. Learn the history of Black Island and experience some of the wildlife that call the waterways of Lovers Key home. Bring your own kayak or rent one from the park concession.
– Treasures of the Atocha: Florida’s sunken treasure ship: Friday, Jan. 22
Join a park ranger for an exciting overview of the discovery of the sunken Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha. Learn about the ship’s history and sinking and see some actual treasure recovered from the wreck.
– The Turtles of Lovers Key Talk: Thursday, Jan. 28
Join a park naturalist to learn about the fascinating life of the marine turtles that visit Lovers Key each summer. Learn about their nesting behavior and find out what you can do to help protect them.