September 29, 2023 - October 5, 2023 The Sun Bay Paper Page 3 LOVERS KEY STATE PARK TO HOST WILDLIFE PROGRAMS AND RECREATIONALACTIVITES IN OCTOBER 2023 FORT MYERS BEACH – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Lovers Key State Park will present weekly programs on park history and wildlife throughout the month of October 2023. All programs will take place at Lovers Key State Park and are free with paid park entry. Space is limited for all events; reservations are required. To register, visit the Friends of Lovers Key’s Eventbrite page. The park offers many recreational opportunities for visitors with disabilities. For accommodations assistance, please contact the park office at 239-707-6328. Friday, October 6th at 10:30 a.m. Walk on the Wild Side Join a park ranger for a guided hike along our Black Island Trail. Learn about the fascinating vegetation and wildlife that reside in our maritime hammock ecosystem and enjoy a little local history along the way. Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles are highly recommended. Space is limited; reservations are required. Saturday, October 14th at 10:30 a.m. Sensational Sharks Join a park ranger for an interesting and informative lecture on sharks, the ocean’s most sensational residents. Discover why these awe-inspiring elasmobranchs are often misunderstood by the public, what crucial roles they play in our ecosystems, and how you can help protect them. Space is limited; reservations are required. Friday, October 20th at 10:30 a.m. Walk on the Wild Side Join a park ranger for a guided hike along our Black Island Trail. Learn about the fascinating vegetation and wildlife that reside in our maritime hammock ecosystem and enjoy a little local history along the way. Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles are highly recommended. Space is limited; reservations are required. Saturday, October 28th at 10:30 a.m. Sensational Sharks Join a park ranger for an interesting and informative lecture on sharks, the ocean’s most sensational residents. Discover why these awe-inspiring elasmobranchs are often misunderstood by the public, what crucial roles they play in our ecosystems, and how you can help protect them. Space is limited; reservations are required. Event registration can be accessed at the following QR code: Friends Of Lovers Key, Inc. Events | Eventbrite About Lovers Key State Park Once a collection of secluded barrier islands, Lovers Key has become a premiere destination for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation in Southwest Florida. Previously destined to become the site of luxury condominiums, Lovers Key State Park was purchased for the people of Florida, so the park’s natural features could be enjoyed for generations to come. The two-mile stretch of beach is popular for shelling, picnicking, fishing, and swimming, while Black Island offers five miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Additionally, the Welcome and Discovery Center is an educational hub for curious park goers to learn more about the ecosystems, history, and recreational opportunities available at the park. There’s no better place to enjoy a slice of the real Florida than Lovers Key State Park.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA2ODE3