Photo Opportunities

What is Pasco EcoFest?
It’s a family friendly fall weekend packed with outdoor activities such as kayaking, bird watching, hiking, airboat and riverboat rides, horseback riding, and a geo-caching challenge along with an indoor wildlife art show and live entertainment! Join us in Pasco County for an eco-friendly mini vacation!

1. Birding and Eco-tours

Six coastal parks along Florida’s Nature Coast and one inland park will be open free of charge to visitors who want to experience the outdoors. Birding and wildlife talks and tours, hiking along nature trails, kayaking, air boating and riverboat tours along the coast and in the gulf of Florida, and horseback riding are some of the outdoor activities planned for you.  

• Birding and wildlife contact: Andrea Webb, 845-616-4513, andrea-webb@sbcglobal.net
• Eco sponsors contact: Pam Marron, 727-375-8986, pmarron@tampabay.rr.com

2. Geo-Techno Challenge

For those who want to try the newest technology using QR codes along with family friendly geo-caching, the “Pasco EcoFest Geo-Techno Challenge”, a scavenger hunt for articles, clues and sponsor deals, will wind through many of the seven parks and sponsor sites, with prizes to winning geo-cachers of the weekend!

• Geo-cache contact: Paul Herman, 727-967-3528, paul@stamps2go.com

3. Art and Entertainment

West Pasco Art Guild and Progress Energy Art Gallery will showcase a variety of bird and wildlife art at the Quality Inn and Conference Center, central to all seven park destinations. Award winning folk singer Mike Jurgensen will perform Florida favorites here as well!

• Art Contact: Bevery Heller, West Pasco Art Guild, 727-861-7017

When: November 18 (eve. only),19 and 20, 2011
Where:

1. Host Hotel: Headquartered at Quality Inn and Suites Conference Center at 5316 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, Fl. 34652.
1. Contact: Lisa Lawson, Sales Mgr., 727-847-9005, lisa.lawson@southwindhospitality.com
2. Seven Pasco County Parks: The Pasco County Parks Department will open seven selected parks “free of charge” to visitors for this fall weekend!

1. Eagle Point: watching eagles, kayaking, fishing, fitness trail
2. Key Vista: Nature trails, kayaking, boardwalk to fishing pier
3. Anclote Gulf Park
4. Anclote River Park: park, beach
5. Energy Marine Center
6. Werner Boyce/Salt Springs: sunset paddle
7. Starkey Park: Environmental Educ. Ctr., historic site, horse trails

Why: To introduce the public to the natural treasures of Pasco County and to promote and help local eco-groups.
Charity Beneficiaries:

• Arts groups
• Audubon and other wildlife organizations

Hi Everyone, Have you heard about the FANTASTIC upcoming "Sealife Safari" family program? Here's a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy Manatee County's natural lands, learn about the resident marine life, and go on a dip net safari! Kids and adults alike can get into the water and dip net to try their hands at catching creatures. Adults can enjoy working with photographer Dotty Motta who will be helping folks learn about macro photography during this amazing sea life safari shutter stroll and intern Aedan will be on hand to teach photography to children. So if you have a budding photographer in your family please feel free to bring them to this special family oriented Shutter Stroll. As always, Suwanna will be there to teach about marine life. Don't miss this exciting FREE opportunity to learn more about photography and marine life! If you would like to participate please email me back at melissa.nell@mymanatee.org or call 941-748-4501 ext. 4605. Here is an example of some of the past shots that came from this event: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manateeconservationlands/sets/72157605712730326/ Saturday 19th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM – FAMILIES FLOCK TOGETHER SHUTTER STROLL: SEA LIFE SHUTTER SAFARI – Grab your camera and your nets for a fantastic family adventure! We will dip net near Neal Preserve to capture critters and learn about the resident marine life. Then, join photographer Dotty Motta to discover new ways to shoot these creatures. This class will be a fantastic chance to develop your photo skills while shooting fascinating marine creatures. Participants must bring their own cameras and dress to get wet. Suitable for all ages. Reservations are required. Please call 941-742-5757 ext. 4. Neal Preserve