PUBLISHED Oct. 6, 2016
Birding and Nature Festival at HCC SouthShore
By LOIS KINDLE
Several programs on wildlife photography and field trip opportunities to shoot wildlife like this great egret and her chicks will be offered as part of the Florida Birding and Nature Festival Oct. 13-16.
CHARLES LEE PHOTO
Folks into birds, animals or simply the great outdoors will find lots of reasons to celebrate at the upcoming Florida Birding and Nature Festival in Ruskin. The four-day event, an opportunity for nature lovers of all ages to learn more about the Tampa Bay area’s fascinating species of wildlife and their habitats, is set to take place Oct. 13 to 16 at Hillsborough Community College SouthShore, 551 24th St. N.E.
“Anyone interested in birding, gardening for butterflies and wildlife in general will find something to engage them,” said Melanie Higgins, marketing coordinator for Quest Ecology, a major sponsor.
Allen Witt, president of HCC’s SouthShore campus, agreed.
“The birding festival is a unique opportunity for our students, science faculty (and the public) to interact with experts on the nature and wildlife of our region,” he said, adding the Ruskin campus is in the “forefront of green building design.
“Our students and faculty are committed to sustainability and respect for the environment. It is appropriate, therefore, that we are hosting a festival that celebrates the nature of our region.”
Anyone interested in birding, gardening for butterflies and wildlife in general will find something to engage them in the various programs, socials and field trips at the Florida Birding and Nature Festival hosted by HCC SouthShore Oct. 13-16.
MELANIE HIGGINS PHOTO
The event will feature three evening socials for adults at the Firehouse Cultural Center; more than 25 on-campus programs on a diverse array of topics, including birds, insects, mammals, reptiles, native plants, nature photography and more; a Saturday Kid’s Zone with all kinds of engaging activities for children; and more than 25 guided field trips to destinations like Ft. De Soto Park, the Lower Green Swamp, Honeymoon Island State Park, Rock Ponds and Cockroach Bay restoration habitats and the Perico and Duette preserves.
The cost is $25 per person for the evening socials, which will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. Each includes a special program, catered dinner and beer and wine. The topics will be:
• “Stewards of the Land: A History of Florida’s Largest Local-Government Environmental Lands Program,” a moderated, panel discussion with nine area environmental visionaries, including former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez, Jan Platt and Jan Smith on Oct. 13;
• an overview of the worldwide Global Owl Project by David H. Johnson on Oct. 14;
• and a photographic presentation and discussion by widely known conservation photographer Carlton Ward Jr. on Oct. 15.
Birds like the double-crested cormorant, shown here drying its wings, will undoubtedly be seen during some of the field trips scheduled during the Florida Birding and Nature Festival Oct. 13-16.
MELANIE HIGGINS PHOTO
There is a $75 per person all-inclusive cost for the Friday and Saturday programs, which entitles the visitor to partake of an unlimited number of presentations. Visitors can also opt to pay $40 for either day.
Among the more than two dozen programs scheduled, subjects include landscaping for wildlife and native plants; bird behavior and birdwatching; nature photography; exotic reptiles, bears and the Florida panther; bluebirds and boxes, butterflies and more.
“The five-county area this festival focuses on has tremendous wildlife habitat,” said Ann Paul, regional coordinator for Florida Audubon. “The programs and field trips we are offering provide a superb introduction to these habitats and the incredible array of wildlife living in them.”
Speaking of the field trips, the cost varies depending on the destination and mode of transportation involved. Offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday, most involve easy walks and others are via wagon or boats. To view a complete list of destinations, costs and descriptions of what will be involved, visit floridabirdingandnaturefestival.org.
George L. Heinrich, a field biologist and environmental educator with a specialty in Florida reptiles, will present a program called “Identifying Non-marine Turtles of the Tampa Bay Region,” during which attendees will learn basic information for identifying some of the 13 non-marine turtle species living in the Tampa Bay region.
GEORGE HEINRICH PHOTO
And finally there’s the Saturday Kid’s Zone, where for children 12 and younger will have the opportunity to connect with the natural world. They can experience things like building a bluebird box, dissecting an owl pellet or learning about natural habitats in their own backyards. The Florida Aquarium, Sensing Nature and Zephyrhills Spring Water will be among those hosting hands-on activities. Admission is free but kids must be accompanied by at least one adult who pays $10.
Festival admission for students of all ages with ID cards is $10, excluding field trips.
The Florida Birding and Nature Festival is a partnership between Hillsborough County, Hillsborough Community College, Visit Tampa Bay and the Tampa Audubon Society. Any proceeds will be invested in future festivals, Paul said.
“We hope to make this an annual event,” she added. “It’s exciting because we already have so many ideas for next year. The sky’s the limit on what we could offer.”
For additional information, visit floridabirdingandnaturefestival.org.