Highlands Hammock State Park (HHSP) is celebrating Earth Day!
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SEBRING — Highlands Hammock State Park (HHSP) is celebrating Earth Day! The 8th Annual Earth Day Festival which features exhibitors, speaker programs, nature walks and tram tours will be held on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival is a family-friendly, educational day for park visitors of all ages. Exhibitors include Archbold Biological Research Station, Highlands County Audubon Society, Heartland Beekeepers, Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Forestry, Florida Wildlife & Conservation Commission, Southwest Florida Water Management District and others. Three 45-minute programs will be shown in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum.
10:30 a.m. - Museum curator David Schmidt will reveal the shared history of HHSP and Archbold in his program ‘Highlands Hammock State Park & Archbold Biological Station: A Magnificent Legacy.’
11:45 a.m. – Director Keith Laakkonen will take visitors on ‘A Journey Through Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’ and trace its history from the plume hunters of the 1900s and the decimation of Florida wading birds to the present.
1:00 p.m. - Kim Titterington, founder of Swamp Girl Adventures will discuss ‘The Rescue, Care and Rehabilitation of Reptiles.’ Her exhibit in the Otter Pavilion will feature live reptiles. Families may also examine skulls, pelts and tracks and participate in scavenger hunts and other activities.
Two nature walks are scheduled. A birding hike will depart at 9 a.m. from the primitive wilderness gate at the front entrance. Visitors may also park at the administration office and carpool back to the front entrance. A family hike will depart at 10:30 a.m. on the Wild Orange Trail behind the Hammock Inn. Hikes take approximately one hour. Wear hiking shoes and bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and binoculars. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pets are not permitted on nature walks.
Visitors may also take the park tram tour. Trams run at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Ticket cost is $15 per adult and $10 per child. Children 5 and younger are free. Tickets may be purchased at the Hammock Inn concession one day in advance or on the day of the tour. Call the Hammock Inn at 863-402-0061 for more information.
Food and refreshments will be provided by food vendor El Ranchito and the Hammock Inn. The festival is sponsored by the Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park. For more information, visit the park’s website floridastateparks.org/park/Highlands-Hammock and follow the Friends on Facebook. Park entry fees of $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons) and $4 per single occupant vehicle apply. Highlands Hammock is located at 5931 Hammock Road in Sebring.
