Special Events for Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

• READING WITH ROCKY PROGRAM
  Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009. 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.
  Description: Barbara Cairns will do a special children’s reading program on the second Saturday of every month from October through May. In addition to reading a story, Barbara will include poems, and a follow up activity for the children to do at home. This program takes place in the Children’s Education Center.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• BIRD WALKS ON PEPPER CREEK TRAIL
  Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009. 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Meet at 7:45 a.m.
  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 if you have questions.
  Fees: This event is free.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• LU, THE HIPPO’S BIRTHDAY
  Date: Monday, January 26, 2009. 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  Description: Lu, will be celebrating his 47th birthday in 2009, is presented with a party each year on a date near his birthday of January 26th. Park Rangers present the hippo with a special birthday cake while visitors, staff and local school children sing “Happy Birthday” to this popular park resident. School children enjoy cupcakes and lemonade.
  (First, second and third graders from Homosassa Elementary are admitted FREE to hippo’s birthday party.)
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• READING WITH ROCKY PROGRAM
  Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009. 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.
  Description: Barbara Cairns will do a special children’s reading program on the second Saturday of every month from October through May. In addition to reading a story, Barbara will include poems, and a follow up activity for the children to do at home. This program takes place in the Children’s Education Center.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• BIRD WALKS ON PEPPER CREEK TRAIL
  Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009. 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Meet at 7:45 a.m.
  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 if you have questions.
  Fees: This event is free.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• HOMOSASSA HERITAGE DAY
  Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009. 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
  Description: Exhibits and programs in the Florida Room at the Visitor Center 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. Historical photos will be on display and throughout the wildlife park. Former employees may register as Homosassa Heritage Keepers and will receive a pass for free park admission on this date.
  Fees: Film showing and Florida Room activities are free. Regular park admission applies for entrance into the Wildlife Park.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• READING WITH ROCKY PROGRAM
  Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009. 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.
  Description: Barbara Cairns will do a special children’s reading program on the second Saturday of every month from October through May. In addition to reading a story, Barbara will include poems, and a follow up activity for the children to do at home. This program takes place in the Children’s Education Center.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• BIRD WALKS ON PEPPER CREEK TRAIL
  Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009. 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Meet at 7:45 a.m.
  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 if you have questions.
  Fees: This event is free.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOP
  Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2009. 9:30 to Noon.
  Description: The park’s gardening supervisor Marion Knudsen’s spring gardening workshop explains how you can use low-maintenance native plants and xeriscaping to conserve water resources and enjoy carefree Florida gardening. Reservations are required. Make reservations in advance by calling the park at (352) 628-5343.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• READING WITH ROCKY PROGRAM
  Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009. 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.
  Description: Barbara Cairns will do a special children’s reading program on the second Saturday of every month from October through May. In addition to reading a story, Barbara will include poems, and a follow up activity for the children to do at home. This program takes place in the Children’s Education Center.
  Fees: Regular park admission
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOP
  Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009. 9:30 - Noon.
  Description: The park’s gardening supervisor Marion Knudsen’s spring gardening workshop explains how you can use low-maintenance native plants and xeriscaping to conserve water resources and enjoy carefree Florida gardening. Reservations are required. Make reservations in advance by calling the park at (352) 628-5343.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• BIRD WALKS ON PEPPER CREEK TRAIL
  Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009. 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Meet at 7:45 a.m.
  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 if you have questions.
  Fees: This event is free.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• READING WITH ROCKY PROGRAM
  Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009. 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.
  Description: Barbara Cairns will do a special children’s reading program on the second Saturday of every month from October through May. In addition to reading a story, Barbara will include poems, and a follow up activity for the children to do at home. This program takes place in the Children’s Education Center.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-628-5343.
  
• BIRD WALK ON PEPPER CREEK TRAIL
  Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009. 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Meet at 7:45 a.m.
  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 if you have questions.
  Fees: This event is free.
  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.
• BIRD WALKS ON PEPPER CREEK TRAIL
  See walk schedule below. Novice and experienced birders are invited to take a guided bird walk on Pepper Creek Trail. This leisurely-paced walk is on an accessible paved trail winding through a hydric hammock along Pepper Creek and is lead by experienced birder volunteers.
  
  Walks are held the fourth Saturday of every month except June, July, August and December. (See schedule below). Beginning at 8:00 a.m., walks usually last until 9:30 a.m. All participants should meet at 7:45 a.m. at the front doors of the Visitor Center located on U.S. 19. Bring your binoculars and a field guide! For more information, call the 352-628-5343.
  
  Scheduled Bird Walks
  January 22
  February 26
  March 26
  April 23
  May 21
  September 24
  October 22
  November 26
  
  Call 352-628-5343 for more details.