FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:  Olabisi Slade Cox (407) 246-2213 
           or Orlando Wetlands Park (407) 568-1706 
               Heather Allebaugh (407) 246-3423

Orlando Wetlands Park Festival

Orlando, FL (February 21, 2007) – Come and enjoy the Orlando Wetlands Park Festival on Saturday February 24, 2007, from 9am-3pm. This world renowned example of Wetlands Engineering is a 1,650 acre oasis for flora, fauna, and feathered friends near the Ft. Christmas Park in Christmas, Florida. 

The Orlando Wetlands Park represents the world’s first large scale wetlands treatment system. This wetland treatment system is a series of impoundments, which were planted with many different species of aquatic plants. These impoundments are now treatment marshes that polish excess nutrients from the reclaimed wastewater before it is discharged to the St Johns River. The water that is sent to the St Johns River is cleaner than the water within the river. So in a sense, the Wetlands are serving to help cleanup the St Johns River. 

On February 24, 2007, come and experience this unique Wetland Treatment System with the entire family. Event co-sponsor, the Orange Audubon Society, will lead guided birdwatching excursions; expert-guided nature photo shoots. The Florida Native Plant Society will lead native plant identification hikes and wilderness hikes will also be available by the Florida Trail Association. Ace of Hearts Ranch will offer guided horseback rides and pony rides for the children. For those who like to sit and ride, guided bus tours will travel along the wetland berms, giving riders a chance to experience first hand, Florida’s wild wetlands. 

In addition to the numerous guided tours, there will be bird banding and mist-netting demonstrations, police canine demonstration, tree giveaways, door prizes and live folk music. Featured in the various wildlife shows, many different live animals will be present such as alligators, Florida panthers, snakes, birds and many others. Also the City’s Families, Parks and Recreation Division will be giving away free backyard trees to each family. Food will be available for purchase. 

There will be many interactive children’s activities (like the Out-On-A-Limb kids tree climbing, rock climbing wall, petting zoo, horseback riding, hay rides and games), so bring the whole family and invite your friends and neighbors to this fun, free, educational festival. Bring your cameras, off-road bikes or sturdy hiking shoes, and prepare for an adventure in the wilderness. Free admission and free door prizes! For more information call Olabisi Slade Cox at 407.246.2213 or Mark Sees at the Orlando Wetlands Park 407. 568.1706.

Directions:
To get to the Park, take S.R. 50 to Christmas, Florida. Turn north onto 420, Ft. Christmas Rd and travel 2.3 miles, then turn onto Wheeler Road and travel 1.5 miles. The address is 25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, Florida 32709.

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