SEBRING — Highlands Hammock extends a welcome invitation to residents and visitors from communities throughout the greater Heartland and neighboring counties to join the park in celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 6th Annual Earth Day Festival is an educational day for park visitors of all ages. Exhibitors include Archbold Research Station, the Florida Trail Association, Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Highlands County Audubon Society, IFAS Master Gardeners and 4-H Education, Florida Forestry, the Florida Departments of Health and Environmental Protection, the US Department of Agriculture and more!

The Florida Department of Health booth at the Earth Day Festival in April 2023.

In addition to the exhibits, a series of programs which are 30 minutes to one hour in length, will be shown on the stage of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum. Park Services Specialist Carla Sherwin, remarked, “We have three outstanding presentations lined up.” At 11 a.m., David Waldrop, Chair of the Heartland Chapter of the Florida Trail Association (FTA) will trace the history and development of the Florida Trail, which is a federally designated National Scenic Trail. Initiated in 1966 in Ocala National Forest, the trail is 1500 miles and runs from the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Panhandle. Built by and maintained by the FTA, it connects Floridians and visitors to the natural, cultural, and historic landscapes of Florida.

At 12:15 p.m., Barbara Walker, a Florida Wildlife Rehabilitator and longtime manager of educational birds of prey which reside at the Moccasin Lake Nature Park in Clearwater will address wildlife rehabilitation. Ms. Walker will focus on the history of bald eagle field work in Florida and the importance of conservation in Central Florida, which is a core breeding area for bald eagles, sandhill cranes, ospreys and other species. She will examine bird breeding data, human population growth projections, and the intense need to pre-plan for the welfare of wildlife. Sherwin stated, “I am certain that Ms. Walker’s program will be of special interest to Sebring residents as she plans to bring ‘Thunder,’ a female bald eagle who was rescued here nearly 30 years ago. Thunder was wounded in the head by a shot from a 22 caliber bullet which severed her optic nerve rendering her sightless in one eye. In addition to Thunder, there will be several other birds on display including a kestrel, a peregrine falcon and a swallow-tailed kite. Families may observe these live birds, examine skulls, bones, pelts and other items and participate in a scavenger hunt at the Kids Corner in the Otter Pavilion. Two nature walks are scheduled. A ‘Birding Hike’ will depart from the Panther Pavilion at 9 a.m. A ‘Saturday Kids Discovery Nature Walk’ will depart from the Wild Orange Trail behind the Hammock Inn at 10 a.m. The hikes take approximately one hour.

Thunder, a female bald eagle who was rescued at Highlands Hammock State Park nearly 30 years ago, is expected to be in attendance at this year’s …

Sherwin concluded, “This a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to learn about local government agencies and environmental organizations which are working to make a world of difference! New residents may be surprised to learn of the many resources available to them as well as opportunities to volunteer. Parents can encourage their children to develop stewardship.” Visitors may also go on one of the regularly scheduled tram tours operated by the Hammock Inn concession. Trams run at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The cost of tickets is $15 per adult and $10 per child. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased one day in advance and on the day of the tour at the Hammock Inn. Call the Hammock Inn at 863-402-0061 for more information.

FWC Panther Biologist Carol Rizkalla with her display at the Earth Day Festival in April 2023.

Food and refreshments will be provided by food vendors Uno Dog hot dogs, Gio Frio Italian Ices and the Hammock Inn. The festival is sponsored by the Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/Highlands-Hammock. Find the Friends on Facebook and visit their website, www.friendsofhighlandshammockstatepark.org. All programs are free. Park entry fees of $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons), $4 per single occupant vehicle, and $2 for bicyclists and pedestrians apply. Highlands Hammock is located at 5931 Hammock Road in Sebring.