FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2001

Contact:
Lora Silvanima (FWCC), 850/487-0516
Tom MacKenzie, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (404) 679-7291

Come to the Wakulla County Nature Festival in
Florida April 20 to 21, 2001

FEATURING ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY:

• Sunrise birding cruise;
• Guided Nature tours;
• Wakulla River boat tours;
• Outdoor learning presentations on bird banding, optics, ecosystem health, "Florida Forest Forever" showvan, wetlands working for wildlife, birds of a feather, and pointless personal pollution;
• Workshops about Florida's wildlife, including bats, black bears, manatees, owls, alligators, nesting birds, birding, bird migration, salamanders and landscaping for wildlife;
• Hands-on educational activities for children.

REGISTRATION:

$7.50 Adults, $2.00 Children (includes coupon for free Wakulla River boat tour).

SUNRISE BIRDING CRUISE:

$10.00 Adults, $5.00 Children (must preregister)

FIND OUT MORE AT WEBSITE:

http://www.state.fl.us/fwc/viewing/wbs/wakulla/index.htm

CONTACT:

Lora Silvanima, 850/487-0516, silvanl@gfc.state.fl.us

WHERE:

Wakulla Springs State Park is about 20 miles south of Tallahassee, FL.

FESTIVAL PARTNERS:

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
• Wakulla Springs State Park and Lodge;
• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
• Apalachee Audubon Society;
• University of Florida Extension Master Wildlife Conservationists;
• Wakulla County Tourist Development Council.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses 531 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

NOTE: You can view our releases or subscribe to receive them -- via e-mail -- at the Service's Southeast Regional home page at http:/southeast.fws.gov. Our national home page is at: http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/.

2001 News Releases