Feeling stressed? It's time to get back to nature

A special celebration offers information about the county's natural wonders. And there's a little entertainment thrown in, too.

By JORGE SANCHEZ

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 12, 2001

CRYSTAL RIVER -- Learning about the natural environment of Citrus County and about the government agencies whose role it is to preserve it will be the main focus of Saturday's Discover Your Wildlife Refuge Celebration.

The event features nature-themed children's activities such as making bird feeders from pine cones and crafting casts of animal tracks. Adults and children can tour Kings Bay aboard a U.S. Fish and Wildlife pontoon boat. Other activities feature wildlife exhibits and live acoustic music.

The celebration offers prize drawings for artwork from local wildlife artists Wayne Timm, Jim Wilson, Virginia Svoboda and Cottage Framers. Other drawings will be for various donated items from local stores and sporting goods suppliers.

Children will be able to discover wildlife by making plaster casts of animal tracks and by examining owl pellets to learn about their diet. They can also create sand rubbings.

A pontoon boat will offer guided tours of Kings Bay, which is the headwaters of the Crystal River, and a portion of which is also a national wildlife refuge for manatees. Those wanting to go on the tours can sign up at a table on the dock behind the U.S. Fish and Wildlife office.

Kayak demonstrations will be offered throughout the day by Riversports Kayaks of Homosassa.

Musical performers include Carol Johnson; Jim Kelly; Tom Ellis and his sister, Linda Ellis Smith; Pete Hennings and Pete Price; Mike Roberts; and Leaving Mississippi, which performs delta blues on slide guitar and harmonica. Music starts at 10 a.m.

Early risers can join the Friends of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge on a bird watching tour and breakfast, which begins at 7:30 a.m. The continental breakfast on the grounds follows the guided boat tour. Tickets for adults are $20, children under 10, $15. Call 795-6326 to make a reservation.

At a glance

Discover Your Wildlife Refuge Celebration, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, 1502 Kings Bay Drive. Arts, crafts, wildlife exhibits, boat tours and live music. Free admission. Take U.S. 19 to Paradise Point Road, turn west, follow the signs. Festival site is adjacent to the Port Hotel and Marina. Call 563-2088.

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