National Park Week 2008

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
904 641-7155 phone

Timucuan Preserve News Release
Contact: Park Staff at 904.641.7155

Celebrate National Park Week! Free Activities April 18 – 26, 2008

Want to explore Jacksonville’s National Park? National Park Week is a great way to learn more about your park with family and friends. National Park Week is an annual presidentially proclaimed week for celebration and recognition of your National Parks! Special activities will be offered at the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve between Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 26, 2008. These events are free and open to the public.

Programs will provide fun opportunities to see what Jacksonville ’s National Park has to offer. According to Timucuan Preserve Superintendent Barbara Goodman, “We are very excited to offer north Florida residents the opportunity to experience the Timucuan Preserve from a variety of perspectives. It is a fun, free week to get out and explore your National Park.” The schedule includes night walks, ranger talks, children’s activities, and demonstrations.

Friday, April 18, 2008

7:30 p.m. Night Wonders of the St. Johns River
Fort Caroline National Memorial

Kick off National Park Week with an evening walk at Fort Caroline . Led by Nisse Goldberg, Assistant Professor of Biology, Marine Science, and Chemistry at Jacksonville University , and Park Rangers Craig Morris and Dan Tardona, discover the natural history of the St. Johns River . Reservations are required – call 904.641.7155.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

10:00 a.m. - For Children! – Making Special Connections: A Hike on the Willie Browne Trail
Meet at Fort Caroline , then caravan (1mile) to the Theodore Roosevelt Area

Join Ranger Ashleigh Boice for a walk on the wild side. This program takes you on a walk of guided exploration to find the plants, animals, and habitats that make the Theodore Roosevelt Area unique. There are hands-on activities for children. Please bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

7:45 p.m. – People in Nature at Night
Meet at the Timucuan Preserve Headquarters at the Theodore Roosevelt Area

Join Ranger Craig Morris for a night hike at the Theodore Roosevelt Area. This program will show you how alive the park is at night – nocturnal animals awake and the distractions of the day disappear, allowing your senses to experience the wonders of nature. Insect repellant is recommended. Reservations are required – call 904.641.7155.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

1:00 p.m. – Living Treasures of the St. Johns River
Fort Caroline National Memorial

Join Ranger Craig Morris for a seine net activity. It is fun and hands on! You’ll see what lives in the St. Johns River , and Ranger Craig will explain what animals and plants mean to the health of our river and our daily lives. Please bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

2:00 p.m. – For Children! – Creepy Crawly Caterpillars and Beautiful Butterflies
Kingsley Plantation

Discover the life cycle of a butterfly with Ranger Cicely Pontiflet. Children will learn by reading, discussing and coloring! Each child will receive a “Creepy Crawly Caterpillars and Beautiful Butterflies” workbook to color and record their butterfly discoveries. For a final project, the children will decorate a butterfly bookmark with the ranger. Please bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Junior Ranger Day! Experience a cannon firing demonstration, see original drawings created by local students, and participate in Milkweed Madness!

Bring a picnic to Fort Caroline and enjoy the day at the park.

11:00 a.m. – Cannon Firing and Award Presentation
Fort Caroline National Memorial

Experience the power of a Civil War cannon as park rangers present a firing demonstration. After the demonstration, the winners of a new annual drawing contest for Duval County school students will be announced and they will receive their prizes.

12:00 p.m. – Milkweed Madness!
Fort Caroline National Memorial

Join Ranger Sara Root and learn the differences between native, exotic, and invasive plants that are common in the Jacksonville area. In a hands-on activity, children will plant a milkweed seed to take home with them and learn how milkweed is important to our local wildlife. Please bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

2:00 p.m. – Ranger-Guided Walking Tour
Fort Caroline National Memorial

Want to hear the real story of Fort Caroline? Join a park ranger for guided tour of the park. Listen to the stories of the Timucua, French, and the battle for Florida.

All Week – April 19 – 26, 2008

For Children! – Kids can participate in a new Junior Ranger program that emphasizes the natural wonders of our area. These independently completed workbooks help children explore Fort Caroline National Memorial and Kingsley Plantation.

Ranger programs are offered daily at 2:00 p.m. at Kingsley Plantation.

Our parks – Fort Caroline National Memorial/Timucuan Preserve, Kingsley Plantation, and our partnership site Ribault Club – are free and open for you to explore! Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Ribault Club & Fort George Island Visitor Center is open daily from Wednesday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is Jacksonville’s National Park. With many sites to choose from, you can find a great place to relax or learn. Visitor centers are located at Fort Caroline National Memorial, Kingsley Plantation, and the Ribault Club. There are many places to explore. For more ideas call 904.641.7155 or visit our National Park Service website at https://www.nps.gov/timu

Addresses for the programs listed on this release are:

Fort Caroline National Memorial, 12713 Fort Caroline Road , Jacksonville , Florida 32225 , 904.641.7155

Theodore Roosevelt Area, 13165 Mt. Pleasant Road, Jacksonville , Florida 32225 , 904.641.7155

Kingsley Plantation, 11676 Palmetto Avenue , Jacksonville , Florida 32226 , 904.251.3537

Ribault Club, 11241 Fort George Road , Fort George Island ( Jacksonville ), Florida 32226, 904.251.2802

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

Last updated: April 14, 2015

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Mailing Address:

12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225

Phone:

904-641-7155

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