Friends of the Enchanted Forest 444 Columbia Blvd., Titusville Florida 32780 Enchanted Forest Nature Sanctuary

Upcoming Activities

Our friends at Sams House have an active schedule. Click here for their February schedule.

A Look Ahead

February 21st

Native Edible Plants to be topic at Lunch with Nature

Lunch with Nature is held the third Tuesday of each month with speakers that cover topics of interest for residents living along the east coast, such as conservation, water management, historical sites, plants, sea turtles and other areas of interest. There is no cost to attend, and participants provide their own lunch.

This program is offered by Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department's North Area Parks Operations and The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, 444 Columbia Boulevard, Titusville. Contact Andrea Chestnut at (321) 264-5105 for further information.

Noteworthy Events

Sams House at Pine Island & St. Luke's Episcopal Church to Celebrate Birthday of Pioneer John Sams

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – On Saturday, February 11, Sams House at Pine Island and St. Luke's Episcopal Church will celebrate the birthday of pioneer John Sams with tours and festivities throughout the day. Sams was born on February 11, 1839.

The Sams House at Pine Island will host a Pioneer Pathways nature walk at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tours of the 1875 Cabin and 1888 House will be given at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

St. Luke's chapel and cemetery will be open from noon to 5 p.m. A soup lunch will be served at noon. Noted historian Ray Osborne will speak at 12:30 p.m. and conduct a special memorial service at John Sams' grave. Tours of the chapel and cemetery will take place from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. The event will conclude with a fish fry at St. Luke's at 5 p.m.

A shuttle van will be available to take participants between the Sams House and St. Luke's Church. The van will run every 15 minutes.

There is a suggested donation of $10 for the day, $5 for the soup lunch or $6 for the fish fry; reservations are not required.

John Sams built the oldest standing home in Brevard County, the 1875 Sams cabin. Sams was a citrus grower, businessmen, and the first Superintendent of Brevard Public Schools. He helped establish St. Luke's Episcopal Church in 1889 and is buried in the church cemetery, along with several other prominent pioneers.

The Sams House at Pine Island is located at 6195 North Tropical Trail in Merritt Island, a half-mile west of State Road 3. It is open Thursdays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 321-449-4720.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church is located at 5555 North Tropical Trail in Merritt Island. For more information, call 321-452-5260.

Sykes Creek Adventures Eco-Festival to be held February 18

Sykes Creek Adventures is a family eco-festival featuring opportunities to explore and enjoy the natural resources of Brevard County. Attendees will be able to meet people and organizations involved with environmental aspects of the county, delve into the history and archaeology of the Indian River Lagoon, attend workshops, make oyster mats and try geocaching. There will also be guided river boat tours on Sykes Creek for an additional fee. There will be baskets raffled with proceeds benefiting the Hook Kids on Fishing Program.

The cost to attend is $1 per person; children 2 years and under will be admitted free. A wristband for the kid's area is $2 which includes unlimited use of inflatable games. There will be food & beverages for sale.

In conjunction with Sykes Creek Adventures, the Anglers for Conservation will host a free Hook Kids on Fishing program for kids ages 6 to 16 with their parents starting at 9 a.m. There will be clinics on casting, conservation, habitat restoration, fishing safety, knot tying, and catch and release tactics. The program is limited to the first 50 registrants.

Enter the Sykes Creek Adventures Paddling Challenge, a seven-mile course in the relatively protected waters of Sykes Creek. All types of paddling crafts are invited. The challenge goes from Kiwanis Island Park up to the Barge Canal and back. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and paddling starts at 9 a.m. The cost to enter is $25 in advance or $30 at the event. Register at sykescreek.eventbrite.com.

For additional event information or to pre-register for the Hook Kids on Fishing Program please call (321) 455-1385 or visit www.brevardparks.com/central.

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE ENCHANTED FOREST A non-profit volunteer organization committed to assist the EEL Program with conservation of The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, and educate visitors about the unique geology and biodiversity at the sanctuary.

Information about volunteering or becoming a member of the Friends of The Enchanted Forest call 321-264-5192, visit www.nbbd.com/godo/ef or write: Friends of The Enchanted Forest 444 Columbia Blvd., Titusville FL 32780

There are many opportunities for volunteering at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary; such as a Host, Interpretive Guide, Nature Center Monitor and other related activities. If you wish to be a part of this great program, or would like more information, please call us at 321-264-5185. Thank you.

ENCHANTED FOREST SANCTUARY
SPECIAL EVENTS

January, 2012

January Forest Events Flyer

NATURE FOR LITTLE ONES at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary - Jan. 6, Fri., 10:00am. Nature activities and "Blossom" for infants to pre-school age children. This program is free. For more information, please call 321.264.5185.

FOREST FUNDAY for Children - Jan. 15, Sun., 2:00-4:00pm. Nature program for children and families to help children enjoy the outdoors. This program is free. For more information, please call 321.264.5185.

LUNCH WITH NATURE - Jan. 17, Tues., 12:00-1:00pm. Presentation on Florida Manatees by Ron Thorstad. You may bring a picnic lunch to enjoy during the talk. This program is free. For more information, please call 321.264.5185.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB of the Friends of the Enchanted Forest - Jan. 21, Sat., 9:00-11:00am. Program for all levels of photography. This program is free and reservations are not required. For more information, please call 321.264.5185.
PRINT & SHARE FLYER

FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY - January 25, Wed., 7:00pm. Presentation on Florida Orchids by Prem Subrahmanyam, photographerand orchid enthusiast. This program is free. For more information, please call 321.264.5185.

FRIENDS OF ENCHANTED FOREST - January 26, Thursday, 4:00pm - The Friends of the Enchanted Forest will meet at the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival this month. Please come by our booth. For more information, please call 321.264.5185. See left.

SPACE COAST BIRDING & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL activities at Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

• Jan. 27, Fri., 7:30 - Signs of Wildlife hike;
• Jan. 28, Sat., Nature hikes and programs throughout the day. Reservations requested. Music program 10:00-11:30am, open music jam session 1:00-3:00pm.

ENCHANTED FOREST SANCTUARY EDUCATION & MANAGEMENT CENTER

Visitors to the 471-acre Sanctuary experience wildlife observation and diverse plant life on over 4 miles of hiking trails. The Management & Education Center offers hands-on Exhibit Room, Discovery Room, gift shop, reference library and restrooms. There is an outdoor, open-air butterfly garden and the screened porch and amphitheatre provide venues for outdoor education.

Universal accessible amenities include an exterior covered porch, the Ancient Oak amphitheater, outdoor Butterfly Garden and a trail to a scenic overlook over the Addison Canal.

LOCATION Enchanted Forest Sanctuary 444 Columbia Blvd, Titusville, FL.

In south Titusville on SR 405 across the street from the Space Coast Executive Airport.

ENCHANTED FOREST HOURS: Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays. 9:00am to 5:00 pm. - No pets, bikes or smoking in the Sanctuary.

Information: 321-264-5185 www.eelbrevard.com