National Park Week and Earth Day Activities at Everglades National Park

Date: April 9, 2009
Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714

Each year the President proclaims a week to celebrate and recognize the country’s national parks. This year, in celebration of National Parks Week and Earth Day, Everglades National Park is offering a variety of programs starting Sunday, April 19, thorough Saturday, April 25th.

Everglades National Park and the National Parks Conservation Association are presenting a special event on Earth Day , April 22, as part of the National Park Week Celebration. This event kicks off the new on line education course, Eco-Mariner Florida Bay, designed to help boaters and anglers enjoy and preserve Florida Bay. The premier will be held at Green Turtle Hammock, MM81, 81224 Overseas Highway, in Islamorada. The Eco-Mariner course and Earth Day activities include free hammock walks, kayak tours, boat tours, educational talks and more, offered from 10 AM to 3 PM Contact for the Earth Day event is [e-mail] or 305-852-3671. Starting April 22, Eco-Mariner Florida Bay, can also be accessed on-line at www.ecomariner.org

National Park Week offers many other opportunities for families and individuals to experience great wildlife viewing, bird watching and boating opportunities at Everglades National Park. Both free and concession operated activities are offered around the 1.5 million acre park that can be reached within a half days drive from Miami. The park’s main entrance is reached via SR 9336 from US 1 at Florida City. The scenic Tamiami Trail (US 41) skirts the park’s northern border and leads to the Shark Valley and Everglades City entrances.Commercial Tram tours depart daily from the Shark Valley visitor center on US 41. Reservations are recommended; phone [phone]. Commercial boat tours depart daily from Flamingo Marina and from the visitor center in Everglades City. Reservations are recommended; phone [phone] or [phone], respectively. Come on out for a fun filled day enjoying the natural and cultural resources of your national park! 

Everglades National Park Free Ranger-led activities daily:

Flamingo - Phone [phone]
Morning Bird Walk 8:30 AM - an easy stroll to observe some of the amazing birds of the Flamingo area. 
Discovery Walk 1:30 PM - learn about the many plants, animals and people that call Florida Bay home. 
Naturalist’s Knapsack Talk 2:30 PM - learn what is fact or fiction about the sharks found in Florida Bay. 
Evening Program 7:30 PM- (Sunday & Monday only) – learn about the unique way animals survive in the Everglades.

Royal Palm - phone [phone].
Anhinga Amble -.10:30 a.m - Exploring the Anhinga Trail where alligators, wading birds and other wildlife can be easily and frequently spotted.
Gator Spy - 1:30 p.m. This short walk is all about alligators. 
Pahayokee – 3 p.m. A short walk to one of the highest points in the Everglades offers sweeping views of the river of grass. 

Gulf Coast visitor Center - Phone [phone]
Canoe Explorations -10:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 19 only - take a half day paddle through the Ten Thousand Islands. . Reservations required. 
Eyes on the Everglades -2:00 p.m.- Learn about ecology, history, and environmental issues. 
Nature Walk - 4:15 p.m. -Take an easy stroll to learn some of the natural history of the Gulf Coast. 

                            -NPS-