Ranger Programs / Learning Opportunities
Northwest Region
- Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
VOLUNTEERS IN THE GARDENS AND GREENHOUSE
Northwest Region
Every Monday
Volunteers work throughout the gardens and in the greenhouse to maintain flower beds and keep the gardens in top condition. Volunteers learn gardening techniques. Meet at the park shop area (ask for directions at the Ranger Station). Please call 487-4115 and let us know you are coming. NO PETS.
850-487-4556 - Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
PLANT CARE WORKSHOP
Northwest Region
Call for Dates and Times
An informal monthly workshop presented by Maclay’s knowledgeable garden staff. Participants will learn a variety of topics, skills and techniques through hands on demonstrations and lectures. Enjoy a Saturday morning learning tips for use in your own garden. Call for time and dates.
850-487-4556 - Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
CAMELLIAS
Northwest Region
Call for Dates and Times
This multimedia presentation on the premier plant of Maclay Gardens is fascinating look into the plant world.
850-487-4556 - Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
NATURE WALK
Northwest Region
Sunday, November 8th, 2-4 p.m.
Meet at the Overstreet Trailhead for a hike and learn different methods of identifying wildlife on your own property. All ages are welcome to attend. Program is free with paid park admission.
850-487-4556 - Bald Point State Park
BIRD TOUR
Northwest Region
Thursday, April 20th @ 8:30 am
Bald Point State Park is offering a bird tour with docent Alan Knothe, April 20th, 8:30am to 10am with the Wakulla Spring State Park Wakulla Wildlife Festival.
850-349-9146 - Big Lagoon State Park
DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES
Northwest Region
Saturday, July 25th at 10:00 a.m.
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Big Lagoon State Park is hosting its 'Dragonflies and Damselflies' interpretive program. Dragonflies and damselflies are one of the most ecologically important and beneficial insects on the planet! Make a date with Big Lagoon State Park and explore the exciting and interesting world of these species. The park offers many recreational opportunities to visitors with disabilities. Should you need assistance to enable your full participation, please contact the park office. Fees: Program included in the park admission fee.
850-492-1595 - Big Lagoon State Park
KREEPY KRITTERS WITH KARL
Northwest Region
August 1st at 10:00 a.m.
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Big Lagoon State Park is hosting its 'Kreepy Kritters with Karl' interpretive program. Invertebrates make up over 95% of the animal species on earth and come in a wide variety of shapes and types. Come explore the exciting and interesting world of insects and invertebrates at Big Lagoon! The park offers many recreational opportunities to visitors with disabilities; should you need assistance to enable your full participation, please contact the park office. Program included in the park admission fee.
850-492-1595 - Camp Helen State Park
CAMP HELEN INTERPETIVE OVERVIEW
Northwest Region
Ongoing
Camp Helen State Park’s Visitors Center offers an interpetive overview of our park’s history, as well as its natural and cultural resources. Camp Helen State Park’s Visitors Center provides an oppurtunity to meet and chat with our Park Rangers. It is a unique approach to fee collection that provides visitors a personal welcome to our Park and it’s resources. Whenever you meet a Ranger in our park always feel free to ask questions. We are eager to assist our visitors and help them to better understand our highly valued natural and cultural resources.
850–233–5059 - Constitution Convention Museum State Park
ST. JOSEPH HISTORY TOUR
Northwest Region
Thursday - Monday 9 AM - 12 PM, 1 - 5 PM
$1 admission, children 5 and under free. Tours are led through the museum which commemorates the signing of Florida's first Constitution and the events that led to the meteoric rise and apocalyptic fall of St. Joseph in the mid 1800s.
850-229-8029 - Eden Gardens State Park
WESLEY HOUSE GUIDED TOURS
Northwest Region
Thurs. - Mon. 10 AM - 3 PM, hourly
Adults –$3, children under 12–$1. Enjoy a guided tour of a Greek-Revival style home and the second largest collection of Louis XVI furniture in the United States, in addition to other antiques of the Lois Maxon estate collection. Miss Maxon was a writer and publisher in the early to mid-1900s.
850-267-8320 - Florida Caverns State Park
CAVE GUIDED TOURS
Northwest Region
Guided tours of the cave are offered every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tours leave from the Visitor Center, which opens at 9:00am each day. Tour sizes are limited to 25 people per tour. Reservations are available for groups of 25 or more with a pre-paid reservation. Group reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance of your arrival. Reservations for group tours are conducted Monday through Friday only. All tours on weekends are first come first served, and are at regular admission prices. Please contact the park at 850-482-1341 for group reservations. Tour fees are 0-2 years of age-free, 3-12 $5.00 plus tax each, 13 and up $8.00 plus tax each. Groups of 25 or more with prepaid reservations are $4.00 plus tax per person. The tour last for about 45 minutes and takes you along a path about 1600 feet long where you can view a number of beautiful formations as they are explained by your tour guide. NOTE: Cave tours regularly sell out and the last cave tour leaves at 4:30p.m. CST each day.
850-482-9598 - Grayton Beach State Park
RANGER LED INTERPETIVE PROGRAM
Northwest Region
Ongoing
Ongoing Grayton Beach offers Ranger led interpretive programs and guided walks for our camping guests. Please check with the ranger station for dates and times. Whenever you meet a Ranger at our park always feel free to ask questions. We are always eager to assist our visitors and help them to better understand our highly valued natural resources.
850-267-8300 - John Gorrie Museum State Park
MUSEUM TOURS
Northwest Region
Daily, Thurs.-Mon. 9 AM - 4 PM
In 1851, Dr. John Gorrie was granted the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration. Although he was never able to commercialize it, his invention influenced the development of machines that have revolutionized food preservation and made life in hot climates far more bearable. Gorrie is also credited with saving many lives during the yellow fever epidemic of the 1850s.
850-653-9347 - Letchworth-Love Mounds
RANGER INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM
Northwest Region
Ongoing
Groups may schedule a ranger-guided tour by contacting the park office at least 14 days in advance.
850-922-6007 - Orman House State Park
ORMAN HOUSE TOURS
Northwest Region
Hourly, Thurs. - Mon. 9 AM - 4 PM Closed 12 PM
Tours through the house built by Thomas Orman, a cotton merchant who lived in the town of Apalachicola from 1838 to the 1870s. This antebellum home overlooks the Apalachicola River, and was used for both business and social gatherings. The house features details of both federal and Greek revival styles with wooden mantelpieces, molded plaster cornices, and wide heart-pine floorboards.
850-653-1209 - Three Rivers State Park
PRESCRIBED FIRE INERPRETIVE PROGRAM
Northwest Region
Ongoing
A "prescribed fire" interpretive program is presented upon request.
850-482-9006 - Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
TOPSAIL TOURS YEAR-ROUND
Northwest Region
Call the park or check the website for fees, schedules, and location.
Join a park ranger for interesting interpretive programs offered Saturday mornings. We offer a wide variety of programs throughout the year on the following topics: Fishing in the Surf, Butterfly Walk, Shorebird Safari, Bombs Away, Sea Turtles, Turpentine, Wildlife Puppet Show, The Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse, Freshwater Fishing, Native Medicinal Plants, Snakes and Beyond, Learning About Burning, Beachcombing, Flint Knapping, Sharks, Coastal Dune Lakes, Ecosystems of Topsail, Birds of Prey, and Alligators. Call (850)267-0299 for more details.
850-267-8330 - Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
COASTAL DUNE LAKES
Northwest Region
Thursday, December 3, 2009 2:00PM
Come and join an exciting interpretive on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park’s imperiled Coastal Dune Lakes. Learn about these important rare freshwater lakes that exist right here in Walton County. Park at the Day-Use area off of Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
850-267-8330 - Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
HAMMERHEAD SHARKS
Northwest Region
Thursday, December 17, 2009 2:00PM
Florida leads the nation in shark bites. Find out more about the hammerhead sharks that are found in Florida and how to stay safe in the water at this slide presentation. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A to take a short hike to the clubhouse.
850-267-8330 - Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
BEACHCOMBING
Northwest Region
Saturday, November 21, 2009 11:30AM
After storms the beaches are full of trash and treasures. What are those interesting beans, egg casings, and those shells? Where did they come from? Learn about beachcombing, and about Topsail State Park. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and catch the tram for a guided walk on the beach.
850-267-8330
