SEBRING — Highlands Hammock extends a welcome invitation to residents and visitors from communities throughout the greater Heartland and neighboring counties to join the park in celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 7^th Annual Earth Day Festival is an educational day for park visitors of all ages. Exhibitors include Archbold Biological Station, Florida Trail Association, Florida Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture, Florida Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection, IFAS Master Gardeners, Heartland Beekeepers, Highlands County Audubon Society, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Nature Conservancy and more! In appreciation of Florida landscapes, the festival will also feature a Florida Highwaymen art exhibition. 

In addition to the exhibits, a series of programs which are 30 minutes to 45 minutes in length, will be shown on the stage of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum. Park Services Specialist Carla Sherwin stated, “We have three exceptional speakers lined up.” At noon wildlife biologist Joe Guthrie who conducts research at Archbold Biological Station will review “The History of Predator/Prey Research” at this facility. At 1 p.m. FWC bear biologist Chris Boyce will present “Living with Florida Black Bears” and address bear management and minimizing bear/human conflicts. At 2 p.m., David Schmidt, curator of the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum will reveal some surprising anecdotes in his review of the shared history and origins of Archbold Biological Station and the park in his program “HHSP & Archbold Biological Station: A Magnificent Legacy.” 

At the Kids Corner in the Otter Pavilion, families may examine skulls, skeletons, bones, and other items at the Archbold display and participate in a scavenger hunt and other activities. Sherwin remarked, “Youngsters will also be fascinated by the insect collection at the US Department of Agriculture exhibit.” Two nature walks are scheduled. Ranger Blake Lewis will conduct a birding hike which departs from the Panther Pavilion at 10 a.m.  A ‘Kids Discovery Nature Walk’ will depart from the Wild Orange Trail behind the Hammock Inn at 11 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The hikes take approximately one hour. Visitors are advised to dress appropriately and bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Pets are not permitted on nature walks.  

Visitors may also go on one of the regularly scheduled tram tours operated by the Hammock Inn concession.  Trams run at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.  The cost of tickets is $15 per adult and $10 per child. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased one day in advance and on the day of the tour at the Hammock Inn.  Call the Hammock Inn at 863-402-0061 for more information.

Sherwin concluded, “This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to encourage their children to develop stewardship. New residents may be surprised to learn of the many resources available to them as well as opportunities to volunteer. Our festival is truly an event where people can learn what local government agencies and environmental organizations are doing to make a world of difference!”   

Food and refreshments will be provided by Hendricks Sak O’Nutz and the Hammock Inn. The festival is sponsored by the Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/Highlands-Hammock. Follow the Friends on Facebook and visit the websites and Facebook pages of participating organizations. All Earth Day programs are free. Park entry fees of $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons), $4 per single occupant vehicle, and $2 for bicyclists and pedestrians apply. To minimize traffic and for public safety, visitors are directed to park in the overflow field at the campground entrance and walk to the picnic area via the boardwalk.  Highlands Hammock is located at 5931 Hammock Road in Sebring.