Eco-Tours

Explore Alachua County state parks and preserves by bicycle, kayak, or foot. Enjoy crystal-clear natural springs, a phenomenal geological site, and trails to discover birds and native flora. Whatever your pleasure, you are sure to find a tour to enjoy the day.

Stay-tuned for the 2012 schedule of Eco-Tours!

2011 Scheduled Tours

3/18 (Fri)

- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Walking Tour of Historic Duckpond Area. Leader – Melanie Barr. Participants will see how the neighborhoods in downtown Gainesville have developed over the last 100 years. “The greenest building is one that is already built. When people live close to workplaces and commercial areas it increases the ability to walk or bike to a destination, and reduces dependence on a car for transportation. It also decreases suburban sprawl and urban development of rural areas.” Fee: $20 per person. For reservations, please write: historictours@att.net

- All day, between 10 AM – 5 PM. Single Vision Endangered Species Educational Facility. Leader: Carl Bovard/founder. Single Vision is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Facility located in Melrose (1/2 hr. from Gainesville). You’ll meet all of our Animal Ambassadors during a tour. Tigers, lion, leopard, bobcat, and a host of other exotic animals. Guests will also have some Hands-on opportunities with an alligator, Abu the Ringtail Lemur, and Fury, our 8 month old Mountain Lion. Fee: A $10 donation/person is requested for a visit, a little bit more for some interaction time. Tours are offered everyday of the festival between. Please call for reservations: 904-377-7993 www.singlevisioninc.org

3/19 (Sat)

No Tours

3/20 (Sun)

- 10:00 – Noon: Edible & Medicinal Weed Walk. Leader – Susan Marynowski. Palm Point Park (same location as last year). No reservations required. Fee – $20 donation to Cinema Verde (optional). Inquiries and questions, please contact Susan Marynowski at <sumar@fastmail.fm> or call (352) 376-3784.

- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Walking Tour of Downtown Gainesville’s Commercial and Entertainment District. Leader – Melanie Barr. Participants will see how the neighborhoods in downtown Gainesville have developed over the last 100 years. “The greenest building is one that is already built. When people live close to workplaces and commercial areas it increases the ability to walk or bike to a destination, and reduces dependence on a car for transportation. It also decreases suburban sprawl and urban development of rural areas.” Fee: $20 per person. For reservations, please write: historictours@att.net

- 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Kayaking Shell Mound (Cedar Key area). Leader: Brack Barker (Wild Florida Adventures). This is a kayak paddle tour through the coastal estuary in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge at Shell Mound. We’ll be out around three hours with stops along the way on sandy beaches to take breaks and observe wildlife. Includes a walking tour of the archaeological site. Fee: $40 which includes kayak/equipment, insurance, delivery, lesson, and guide. Own kayak owners $20. If registered with the Eco Film Fest, $5 discount with proof of registration. For reservations, contact: Brack Barker/Wild Florida Adventures, brack154@msn.com 352-226-2251/cell RSVP required with sign up deadline on Friday 3/18 by 12 noon. Requires a minimum of three people to make it a go.

- 1:00 – 4:00: Walking Tour of Hogtown Creek. Chris Bird (Alachua Co. EPD). Details: March 20th Cinema Verde Hogtown Creek Tour Brochure.

3/21 (Mon)

- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Walking Tour of Historic Duckpond Area. Leader – Melanie Barr. Participants will see how the neighborhoods in downtown Gainesville have developed over the last 100 years. “The greenest building is one that is already built. When people live close to workplaces and commercial areas it increases the ability to walk or bike to a destination, and reduces dependence on a car for transportation. It also decreases suburban sprawl and urban development of rural areas.” Fee: $20 per person. For reservations, please write: historictours@att.net

- 10 AM – 11:30 AM: Hiking Tour of Sweetwater Preserve. Leader: Kevin Ratkus. Participants will join a 1.5 mile guided hike along a loop trail within the 114 acre Sweetwater Preserve. Hikers will experience 9 different ecosystem types ranging from dry sandhill to a wet floodplain forest on this enjoyable short walk. Discussions will include history, botany, ecosystem types, restoration projects and much more. It is always wise to bring drinking water and sturdy walking shoes. Fee: None. Contact Kevin Ratkus with any questions, but there is no formal advanced sign up required. Just show up for a nice hike in the woods! We will meet at the Boulware Springs Historic Pump House and walk to the Sweetwater Preserve trailhead. Questions, call Kevin on his cell: (352) 215-4793 or e-mail: kratkus@alachuacounty.us

3/22 (Tues)

- 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon: Ichetucknee River: Lore & History Paddle Tour. Leader: Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost). This relatively short (2 hour) paddle trip carries us through a surprising variety of beautiful habitats. This famous spring is considered the jewel in the crown of Florida’s “Springs Heartland.” Fee: $39 per person. Trip description at www.adventureoutpost.net Reservations required – call (386) 454-0611

- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Walking Tour of Gainesvilles Southern Historic District. Leader – Melanie Barr. Participants will see how the neighborhoods in downtown Gainesville have developed over the last 100 years. “The greenest building is one that is already built. When people live close to workplaces and commercial areas it increases the ability to walk or bike to a destination, and reduces dependence on a car for transportation. It also decreases suburban sprawl and urban development of rural areas.” Fee: $20 per person. For reservations, please write: historictours@att.net

3/23 (Wed)

- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Walking Tour of Historic Duckpond Area Leader – Melanie Barr. Participants will see how the neighborhoods in downtown Gainesville have developed over the last 100 years. “The greenest building is one that is already built. When people live close to workplaces and commercial areas it increases the ability to walk or bike to a destination, and reduces dependence on a car for transportation. It also decreases suburban sprawl and urban development of rural areas.” Fee: $20 per person. For reservations, please write: historictours@att.net

3/24 (Thurs)

3/25 (Fri)

- 9:00 – 12:00 noon: Crystal River Manatee Encounter. On this 3.5 hour paddle tour (kayak or canoe – your choice) we’ll explore one of the most important winter sanctuaries for the endangered Florida manatee. Leader: Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost). ). Fee: $39 per person. Trip description at www.adventureoutpost.net Reservations required – call (386) 454-0611

3/26 (Sat)

- 9 AM – 1 PM: Tour of Sun Harvest Eco-Village: “Living Sustainably in the 21st Century — Our Way into a Just and Peaceful World” Leader: Bob Tancig
Join the Open House at Sun Harvest EcoVillage at the Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice Teaching Farm in Hampton, FL just north of Waldo off US 301. FCPJ believes that sustainable living is the responsible and necessary response to the ecological challenges of our new world. Our presentation will inform, motivate and offer suggestions on ways to reduce our environmental impact while increasing our quality of life. Martina and John X. Linnehan, two of the founding members of FCPJ and initiators of the Sun Harvest EcoVillage program, along with Bob Tancig, Coordinator of FCPJ and Caretaker at the Teaching Farm in Hampton, will be the tour guides as you experience a tangible, eco-friendly alternative way into a more positive future. Fee: no charge. For more information contact Bob Tancig at 352-468-3295 or John X Linnehan at 904-504-1004 or email Bob at teachingfarm@gmail.com. Website: www.fcpj.org.

- 4 tours throughout the day: Welaka Heritage Boat Tour. Leader: Karen Chadwick. For info and to make reservations, go to http://northstarcharters.net/welakaboatours.html

- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Walking Tour of Pleasant Street Historic District. Leader – Melanie Barr. Participants will see how the neighborhoods in downtown Gainesville have developed over the last 100 years. “The greenest building is one that is already built. When people live close to workplaces and commercial areas it increases the ability to walk or bike to a destination, and reduces dependence on a car for transportation. It also decreases suburban sprawl and urban development of rural areas.” Fee: $20 per person. For reservations, please write: historictours@att.net

- 10:00 – 2:00: Withlacoochee River: Lore and History Paddle Tour. Leader: Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost). On this 3.5 – 4 hour paddle (kayak or canoe–your choice) you’ll understand why this beautiful, species-rich river was designated an ”Outstanding Florida Waterway” by the State of Florida. Fee: $39 per person. Trip description at www.adventureoutpost.net Reservations required – call (386) 454-0611

- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Chili Cook Off and Springs Celebration - O’Leno State Park. Experience the beauty of our State Parks and treat your taste buds at the O’Leno Ole’ Chili Cook-Off and Springs Celebration. An Old Time Contra Dance with the Flying Turtles String Band will also be happening from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Highlights will include a chili cook-off, live music, a juggling unicycle act, puppets, interactive water education displays, and children’s activities. This event is designed to teach the importance of Florida’s springs. Fee: Admission to the park is free with the donation of one can of food per person to benefit a local food bank. To learn more visit www.SantaFeRiverSprings.com.

- 12:00 noon – 12:45: A Walk to Sweet Water – O’Leno State Park. Leader: Cindy Butler. Join local cave diver Cindy Butler on a 45 minute guided walk along the Santa Fe River to the River Sink, where the river disappears under the ground for miles. Learn about the connection between River Sink and Sweat Water Lake. This walk will leave from the Recreation Hall at O’Leno State Park (near the famous suspension bridge over the Santa Fe River). Fee: Free with one can of food per person (the admission to this day’s Springs Celebration).

- 1:30- 2:15 PM: Guided Walk Along Santa Fe River to River Sink. Leader: Dan Rountree. Join local outdoor enthusiast Dan Rountree on a 45 minute, guided walk along Santa Fe River to “River Sink,” where the river disappears under the ground for miles. Learn about the journey of the Santa Fe River from the Santa Fe Swamp to the Suwannee River. This walk will leave from the Recreation Hall at O’Leno State Park (near the famous suspension bridge over the Santa Fe River). Fee: Free with one can of food per person (the admission to this day’s Springs Celebration).

3/27 (Sun)

- 9:00 – 4:00: Silver River: Lore & History Paddle Tour. Leader: Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost). Nature photographers will find the lush, semi-tropical forests lining this river to be a beautiful backdrop for shots of limpkins, little green herons, cormorants, wood ducks and other species we commonly see on this trip. Rhesus monkeys (escaped in the 1930′s and living wild ever since) are seen on the majority of trips. Fee: $39 per person. Trip description at www.adventureoutpost.net Reservations required – call (386) 454-0611

For more information email us: contact@verdefest.org.