CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

ST. MARTINS MARSH AQUATIC PRESERVE HOSTING NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY CELEBRATION

~Celebrate this free family friendly event in Crystal River~

St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve is a gem on Florida's Nature Coast. 

WHAT:        National Estuaries Day Celebration 
                    Park admission is free          

WHO:          St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve

WHEN:        Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015
                    9 a.m.–noon

WHERE:      Crystal River Preserve State Park
                    3266 North Sailboat Ave.
                    Crystal River, FL 34428

Learn about local estuary communities and the animals that call them home through a variety of child and adult friendly activities, including a marine life touch tank. Park admission is free on National Estuaries Day and so are boat rides to the Marine Science Station. Visitors can explore the grounds via guided walking tours or climb the observation tower to get a bird’s eye view of the expansive estuary system. The Friends of Crystal River Preserve State Park Citizen Support Organization will be selling food and beverages, cash only. There will also be face painting and an opportunity to visit with representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as well as other local interest groups.

Limited ADA parking is available at the Marine Science Station. Please call 352-563-0450 for details.

To learn more about this event, please visit St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Facebook page, under the events tab.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Coastal Office

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office (FCO) is responsible for oversight of the state’s 41 Aquatic Preserves, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, the Coral Reef Conservation Program, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Florida Coastal Management Program and the Outer Continental Shelf Program. It is the mission of FCO to conserve and restore Florida’s coastal, ocean and aquatic resources for the benefit of people and the environment. For more information, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/.

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