ST. JOE BAY STATE BUFFER PRESERVE CELEBRATES WINTER BAY DAY

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 3, 2012

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

ST. JOE BAY STATE BUFFER PRESERVE CELEBRATES WINTER BAY DAY

~Weekend of events focus attention on the ecological and economic importance of the bay~

st. joe

Beautiful Sunset Over St Joe Bay.


PORT ST. JOEThe Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) St. Joe Bay State Buffer Preserve (SJBSBP) will celebrate Bay Day with events on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, 2012. Bay Day will feature activities for the whole community, including a shrimp low-country boil, local bands, a nature photography show case and educational programs. Through the weekend’s events, SJBSBP aims to highlight natural resource management and ecological features of the Bay in a family-friendly manner.
“St. Joe Bay Buffer Preserve is unique because it is the last remaining site of its kind in the state of Florida,” said Matt Greene, Buffer Preserve Manager. “Bay Day at the Buffer Preserve is a great opportunity for all Floridians to discover and enjoy natural Florida, as well as partake in sensational food, music, and fun.”
Friday evening’s festivities feature an Astronomy Walk & Talk. This event began six years ago, and attracts visitors from all over the country.  Saturday’s events include tours by SJBSBP staff and volunteers. Participants may choose to take a guided bird walk, or ride a tram and hear about the rich diversity of the Buffer Preserve’s ecology and history. Other highlights include a wading tour along the shoreline of St. Joseph Bay, live music, a low-country shrimp boil, and nature and photography exhibits. Visitors may also enjoy the opportunity to climb the observation tower that overlooks the bay and Buffer Preserve lands, and enjoy a long view of nearby Cape San Blas. 
The events will take place:

St. Joe Bay State Buffer Preserve Winter Bay Day Astronomy Walk

Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

7:00 p.m.

  

St. Joe Bay State Buffer Preserve Winter Bay Day Events

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Events are free.

The Low Country Shrimp Boil

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

$10 per plate, includes tea and benefits the Friends of St Joe Bay

 

St. Joe Bay State Buffer Preserve 

3915 Hwy C30A

Port St Joe, FL 32456

For reservations and more information, please call (850) 229-1787.