ARC AT THE PARK

ARC - Audubon Resource Center

The Tampa Audubon Society, in cooperation with the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, has established the Audubon Resource Center at Lettuce Lake Regional County Park (ARC at the PARK). The resource center was created to help foster a culture of conservation and an environmental ethic in the Tampa Bay region and to encourage community involvement in the Audubon mission.

Tampa Audubon hopes people will visit ARC at The Park for information, education, resources related to the Audubon mission. The admission is $2 per vehicle and $1 per person over 8.

ARC at the Park:

  • Provides a variety of environmental education programs and field trips for all ages.
  • Displays wildlife native to the Hillsborough River watershed.
  • Promotes Audubon Society membership and sponsorship for "Audubon Adventures" environmental education materials for local elementary schools.
  • Assists park visitors with wildlife and plant identification.

Park Manager - Rusty Scholtz
The hours are:
Spring/Summer 8 am - 7:30 pm
Fall/Winter 8 am - 5:30 pm

Events

3/13/2010 - Life beneath our Feet! 10:00am-11:00am
Let's take a walk on the WILD side. We don't have to go far to discover soooo much. Mosses, Ants and Lions, Oh My!!! What is moss and what is not! We're going on a Lion hunt! What is that cone shape in the sand? Who done it? And Why? What do they turn into next? Metamorphosis' into a scientist for an hour or two and wear your walking shoes.

To sign up for the next Lettuce Lake Park Nature program, email Diana Kyle at: FortKyle@aol.com

Photography Club

The Photography club meets the third Saturday of each month.
1 p.m. Digital and Wildlife Photography Class
2 p.m. General Photography Club meeting

The club is open to anyone interested in nature photography. The club schedules outings and fieldtrips during the meetings, so to be in the know you have to attend.

Volunteer Training:

We are in urgent need of additional volunteers to staff the facility. Volunteers commit to one Saturday or Sunday afternoon per month, from 1-5 p.m. Training is simple and available. The only skills you need is a love for the environment and a willingness to share a friendly smile with the visiting public. These 4 hours you spend a month are hugely rewarding. Please visit the ARC or email Mike Mullins if you are interested. If you know anyone that would like to become an active ARC volunteer, please share this with them.

Wish List:

We are always looking for additional materials to enhance the visitors experience, if you have any of the following, please bring it by the ARC, it will be put to good use:

  • Children books about Florida's flora and fauna
  • A VHS rewinder
  • Florida's ecosystems related games and materials
  • Your Time one weekend a month!

Letter from Lettuce Lake Audubon Volunteer John Miller

New at Lettuce Lake Park

limpkin chicksCome see us before we get too big. We are three little limpkin chicks: Louie, Lottie and Larry. My name is Larry, the tiniest one. I am so embarrassed to show off my little wings, but they will get bigger. For now, my mom, Lulabelle, has to feed all of us big tasty apple snail shells that she collects around Lettuce Lake near the tower. I’m with my mom as she shows me how to break the snail shell. Next time you see us, we three should be kind of like teenagers. Look for us walking momaround with Mom.

John Miller - Tampa

Check out my Flickr photo site for more wildlife pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15764290@N03/


Stop by the ARC to see how you can get involved!
Audubon volunteers are at the ARC on Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa FL 33637

Birdhouses for sale on display at ARC at the Park.

Click on photos below for more information.
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President: Pat Lewis
Past Presidents: Carolyn McKinney/ Ann Paul/ Rob Heath