St. Marks to host 4th Annual Wildlife Heritage & Outdoors Festival

Ever wondered what you can do outdoors in the Big Bend?  Here is your opportunity to find out.  St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge will host the 4th annual Wildlife Heritage & Outdoors (WHO) Festival on Sat. Feb. 6, 2010 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Mark your calendars now so you can get outside and enjoy fun outdoor activities from the past and present. 

Not only will you have the opportunity to learn about and join local clubs and organizations, you will get to experience firsthand how to cast a fly rod, throw a cast net, call turkey or waterfowl, meet members of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, witness canoe and kayak demonstrations and many more activities too numerous to mention. The mission of this festival is to excite visitors to reconnect with nature and wildlife through a community celebration of nature’s diversity and our local heritage with scheduled exhibits and programs.  There will be at least 38 different exhibits and activities representing organizations and agencies throughout the community, located near the visitor center and lighthouse areas.  There will be many hands-on fun-filled activities for kids to take part in, including youth archery, rod and reel casting.

Visitors can step back in time with living history exhibits, learn about and join local outdoor clubs and organizations, enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, photography,  and camping activities just to name a few.  The refuge itself will host an Animal Olympics trail for youth of all ages to participate in.  There will also be an “Outdoor” photo opportunity available for families to participate in offered by the St. Marks Photo Club.  Make plans to stop by the Lighthouse Keeper’s quarters and refuge bookstore during festival hours.

This year’s sponsors are:  U. S. Fish and Wildlife, The national Wildlife Refuge System, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Future of Hunting, Saint Marks Refuge Association, The Wilderness Way, and Costco.

We look forward to seeing you on Feb. 6, 2010 at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.  For information please call 850-925-6121.  For a complete list of exhibitors you can visit our website at http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks and click on the flyer for the 2010 Wildlife Heritage & Outdoors Festival. Regular admission to the refuge will apply.   Please, remember to leave your pets at home as we will have wild animal exhibits.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov .

This information originally published on January 28, 2010.

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Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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