Please join us at the tenth annual

Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival

-- a day to learn about and enjoy the natural environment of southwest Florida.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Charlotte Sports Park at 2300 El Jobean Rd. (S.R. 776)

Port Charlotte ~ 2.5 miles west of US 41

Sponsors ~ Walks, Talks, Rides and Music ~ Exhibitors ~ Food Vendors

Thanks to generous sponsors will allow the festival to be free!

Bald Eagle (more than $3,500): Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program ~ Charlotte SUN

Florida Panther (more than $1,000): CF Industries ~ Fish Florida Foundation ~ Mosaic ~ Southwest Florida Water Management District  ~ Tents & Events ~ WGCU Public Media

Osprey (more than $500): Craig Martin & Tina Narr ~ Florida Power & Light ~ Mote Marine Laboratory ~ Peace River Audubon Society ~ South Florida Water Management District  ~ Waste Management

Sea Turtle (more than $250): Coastal Wildlife Club ~ Face Paintings by Claire and Rachel ~ Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve ~ Janicki Environmental ~ Lee County Smart Growth ~ Lemon Bay Conservancy ~ Peace River-Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority ~ Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte Association of Realtors ~ Stantec Consulting

Dolphin (more than $100): Banks Engineering ~ Berntsson, Ittersagen, Gunderson, Walksler & Widekis, LLP ~ Butwell Stone & Soil ~ Charlotte County Utilities

Activities as of November 17, 2009

WALKS/RIDES: Charlotte County Natural Resources has coordinated the following:

• Hayrides: 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:45, 1:15, 1:45, 2:15

• Nature Walks:10:30 - Native Plant Walk, 11:30 - Nature Walk, 12:30 - Native Plant Walk

MUSIC:  Strawberry Jam (Elaine Chamard and Alice White) will perform sweet harmonies on songs for an eclectic mix of music from 11:15 to noon.

TALKS: Students enrolled in the Master Naturalist program will give talks throughout the day.

• 10:00 Wetlands Tour Children's Book and Story Board told by Albert the Anole: Kathy Forsyth and Sarah Larsen

• 10:20 Environmental Ethics Activity: Jamie Reynolds and Sandy Price

• 10:40 "Floridopoly" game to identify plants and land/water conservation: Brent and Kim O'Brien

Throughout the day. . .

• Carol Mahler will read from the CHNEP children's book Adventures in the Charlotte Harbor Watershed

• Running Bear will tell stories about the 500 Native American tribes in the United States

There's so much more. Be sure to visit each exhibitor to learn from the experts! Here's a few things to look forward to:

• Free tote bags will be given (1/car).

• TLC for Wildlife with Myakka River State Park will bring several native birds.

• Fishing poles will be given to the first 200 children who go through a short class and demonstration.

• Face painting by Claire and Rachel will be offered.

• Fiber Artists Rose Young and Ricki Howie will help visitors create “Tree Huggers,” large canvas banners with environmental slogans, suggestions and ideas to grow better stewards to preserve, protect and conserve our waters and wetlands.

• Mote Mobile exhibit will have their touch tank.

• Running Bear Trading Post will tell stories from his tepee about 500 Native American trips in the United States, make popcorn and fried bread.

• Artists will display their artwork that depicts the beauty of the natural environment.

EXHIBITORS are experts about the natural environment of southwest Florida. As of November 19, the following have confirmed their attendance.