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EDGED FEATHER PHOTOGRAPHY
Hawks and other raptors will be included in two Knightwings’ shows (a traveling presentation of birds of prey) at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay’s 2nd annual Wonders of Wildlife Festival March 21. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin.
Wonders of Wildlife Festival is March 21
By LOIS KINDLE
If you’re into wildlife, you won’t want to miss an upcoming event this month at E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Bring your family and friends to see and learn about all kinds of Florida’s wild animals, including birds of prey, bats, opossum, snakes, tortoises and more at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay’s 2nd annual Wonders of Wildlife Festival March 21.
The fundraiser will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin.
“It’s a fun and entertaining event for the whole family, and it’s educational at the same time,” said Nancy Murrah, president and founder of The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay. “Last year we had about 300 people attend the festival. We’re hoping for 500 this year.”
Admission is $12 for adults and free for kids, 18 and younger with a paying adult. There is a $2 per carload entry fee to get into the park.
In addition to the animals, the festival will feature a variety of exhibits and vendors, including wild animal rehab groups, artists, conservation groups and land management organizations. They will include Wild Birds Unlimited, Tampa Audubon Society, the EPA, ELAPP, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Critter Creek Wildlife Rescue, Every Little Creatures Mommy, Sierra Club, TECO, Camp Bayou and the Friends of Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges.
“We have Knightwings (a traveling presentation of birds of prey) coming to do two programs at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” Murrah said. “We’ll also have face painting and make-and-take activities like masks and crafts for kids, plus migration stations for them to visit throughout the park.”
Acoustical guitarist Greg Pinney will perform easy-listening favorites between programs and during lunch. Swamp Girl Adventures will present a program on reptiles sometime during the morning and Tampa Bay Bats in the afternoon.
Econo Catering and Sub-Zero Snow Cones will offer food.
“We’re a rescue, rehabilitation and release (nonprofit) organization,” Murrah said. “We’re about keeping Tampa Bay’s wildlife wild.”
Founded in November 2018, the all-volunteer Raptor Center of Tampa Bay has a mission of educating members of the public, including the offering of special programs for children, to inspire folks to champion both environmental conservation and wildlife preservation. The center is a federal- and state-permitted rescue/rehab facility that serves West Central Florida.
Proceeds from The Wonders of Wildlife Festival will help the center complete the purchase of a new, larger center for rescued birds and animals needing rehabilitation. Its goal is always to release them, once healed and healthy, back into the wild whenever possible.
To learn more about the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, visit www.raptorcenteroftampa.org, see its Facebook or Instagram pages or visit The Wonders of Wildlife Festival on Facebook. You can also email Murrah at nmurrahfirefly@gmail.com or call 813-205-1851.
Donations payable to the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay can be made on its website or mailed to P.O. Box 3638, Brandon, FL 33509.
STOCK PHOTO
Bring your family and friends to see and learn about all kinds of Florida’s wild animals, including birds of prey, bats, opossum, snakes, tortoises and more at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay’s 2nd annual Wonders of Wildlife Festival March 21 at E. G. Simmons Regional Park.
RAPTOR CENTER OF TAMPA BAY PHOTO
Swamp Girl Adventures will present a morning program on reptiles at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay’s upcoming Wonders of Wildlife Festival, and Tampa Bay Bats will present an afternoon program.
RAPTOR CENTER OF TAMPA BAY PHOTO
This “eagle” will return this year to greet visitors at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay Wonders of Wildlife Festival March 21. Admission is $12 for adults. Children 18 and younger get in free. There is a $2-per-carload fee to get into E. G. Simmons Regional Park.
RAPTORS OF TAMPA BAY PHOTO
Beautiful wildlife art like this woodcarving will also be featured at the Wonders of Wildlife Festival.