March 27, 2014 Florida State Parks Newsletter

A life-size puppet seen at the festival.

Join the Department of Environmental Protection's Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park for the annual Wakulla Wildlife Festival. On Saturday, April 19, families and friends are invited to participate in activities designed to educate, inspire and empower positive changes to our environment. Experience fine art, great music, living history demonstrations, informative presenters, educational shows and guided tours while enjoying the beauty Wakulla Springs has to offer.

Visitors will be able to hear musical performers whether they find themselves outside on the green or cooling off inside the lodge. Performers for the festival include Coon Bottom Creek, The Bluefin Tuners, Pickin’ and Grinnin’, The Hot Pepper Steppers and many more.

While at the festival, guests can view and appreciate works of art from some of Wakulla’s regional artists. Oil and watercolor paintings, photo art, and historic and contemporary clay sculptures will be on display throughout the day and a silent auction will be held for bidding on the artwork from 10 am to 5:45 pm. Some featured artists include Joyce Papp, Judith Pennington, Carole Robertson, Marty Haythorn, Rod Gasche and more.

Park entrance fees will be waived for participants, but a $6 per vehicle donation to the Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park, Inc. will be welcomed at the entrance station.

Pre-register for the special tours at www.wakullawildlifefestival.com.

Two visitors study one of the new kiosks.

New interpretive kiosks have been installed at 20 state parks. The kiosks are designed to help visitors learn about Florida’s springs and the threats faced by groundwater pollution, erosion and invasive plants. The kiosks also provide opportunities for visitors to touch and learn about the limestone building block of the Floridan Aquifer and our beautiful springs. New technologies have been incorporated into the kiosks and provide a QR code and a social media challenge.

The kiosks also provide a variety of ways visitors can help to keep our parks clean and safe. Florida State Parks encourage visitors to eliminate contributions to groundwater pollution to help keep our springs clear. By placing all trash in garbage cans visitors aid in keeping the spring litter free. Visitors should avoid stepping on plants growing on the river bottom so they can remain healthy and unharmed. Park visitors must always enter the water from a designated area to prevent the erosion of the banks surrounding the spring. Also, visitors should always admire wildlife from a distance to ensure safety to the animal and themselves.

The following parks contain the new kiosks that help protect our springs: