Florida Gopher Tortoise Day to be celebrated April 10 at Koreshan State Park
The Florida gopher tortoise will be celebrated at the Koreshan State Park this month with the third annual Florida Gopher Tortoise Day set for 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 10,
Pamela Jones-Morton, a volunteer at Koreshan State Park and park naturalist, said April 10 is the official Florida Gopher Tortoise Day. Former Florida governor Rick Scott signed a proclamation extending greetings to all who observe April 10 as Florida Gopher Tortoise Day, she said.
“The proclamation sites cooperation among many public and private entities as vital to conserving gopher tortoises, and says organizations and individuals must continue working together for the long-term survival of the gopher tortoise. His action affirms that Florida is a stronghold for gopher tortoise conservation among southeastern states, and that it is important for Floridians to understand their role in conserving this iconic species. Come help celebrate Florida’s only native tortoise by attending the event at Koreshan State Park and increase your awareness and appreciation for these long lived, gentle reptiles.”
Although it is difficult to say how many gopher tortoises have made the park their home, Jones-Morton said she would estimate 100 park wide, give or take. The park provides a prime habitat and protection for the species.
Although the event is small, it will include a Gopher Tortoise Talk & Walk, “The Life and Times of Gopher Tortoises,” with Jones-Morton at 10 a.m. After the session, a walk will be held through the park to focus on identifying burrows, both active and inactive, and meeting with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
FWC will have a camera set located inside a burrow, so that the internal features can be viewed and, hopefully, a gopher tortoise. The tortoises are more active now through May bringing them out of their burrows in search of spring greenery to eat, and in many cases, to mate.
“There will be coloring pages at a picnic table near the Art Hall with a volunteer who will also have a gopher tortoise shell for the kids to touch and look at closely,” Jones-Morton said.
The event will also include handouts about the gopher tortoise.
The event is free with admission to the park. It is $5 for vehicles with two or more people; $4 for vehicles with a single person; $4 for motorcycles and $2 for bicycles and walk-ins.
Jones-Morton has been a volunteer for the Florida Park Services for more than 15 years, donating more than 11,000 hours of her time to Lovers Key State Park and Koreshan State Park.
Koreshan State Park is at 3800 Corkscrew Blvd.
For more information, contact the Ranger Station at (239) 992-0311 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/koreshan.