Caloosahatchee River Basin Festival: March 5-16, 2003
T
he 2003 Caloosahatchee River Basin Festival celebrates the river, its people and the history of Southwest Florida through exhibits, events, music and food designed to educate, entertain and enlighten attendees.The festival is organized by the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium and sponsored by the South Florida Water Management District’s Institute for the Western Everglades, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Bonita Bay Group, Gaea Guides, Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association and Heinz Frozen Food.
A few of the many events scheduled are listed below. For a complete list, visit the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium website at www.calusanature.com/ or call Todd Cordisco, Festival Coordinator, at 239/275-3435.
Wednesday, March 5
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Public Conference
Thursday, March 6
Collier County Day
Friday, March 7
Charlotte County Day
Admission is free to the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium to residents in Collier and Charlotte counties on their respective days with proof of residency such as a valid Florida driver’s license.
Sunday, March 9
Free cruises of the Caloosahatchee River to discover its history, tour the scenic oxbows and look for manatees. Explore the history of Ft. Myers and its early pioneers through exhibits, food and music. 239/694-3850.
Monday, March 10 - Friday, March 14
Canoe/kayak down the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to Gulf of Mexico. Reservation are required. 239/275-3435.
Field Trips: Travel with us to various locations around Southwest Florida. Reservations are required by March 7. 239/275-3435
March 10:
Babcock Wilderness AdventuresMarch 11:
Manatee ParkMarch 11:
Historical walking tours of downtown Fort MyersMarch 12:
Tour of US Sugar fields, mill, refinery and packaging plantMarch 12:
Hickey’s Creek Mitigation ParkMarch 13:
Caloosahatchee Regional Park
Friday, March 14
Smart Growth Workshop on Environmental and Water Recommendations Workshop
Contact Wayne Daltry at 239/335-2840 for details.
Saturday, March 15 - Sunday, March 16
Caloosahatchee River Days at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
Join us for some good old-fashioned fun at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium! Admission includes kids’ fishing clinic, many exhibitors, Planetarium shows, miles of trails and native animals. Kids’ fishing clinics, sponsored by Bait -N- Wait on Fort Myers Beach, will be March 15 from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and March 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Each clinic includes knot tying and bait rigging, casting and fish identification contests and conservation tips. Each clinic is open to the first 80 children from 6 to 12 years of age. Register for the clinics by calling 239/275-3435 before March 10.
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium Natural includes a History Museum with more than 100 animals, a Planetarium and miles of nature trails. The Center is located at 3450 Ortiz Ave. in Fort Myers. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children ages 3-12. For directions or additional information, call 239/275-3435 or visit the Internet at www.calusanature.com/.