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Manatee Snorkel Encounter – Crystal River, FL
January 26, 2018
Field Trip with Bill & Merilee Clifton Science Partners at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park in Crystal River, FL.
WHEN: January 26, 2018
WHERE: American Pro Diving Center
821 SE US Hwy. 19
Crystal River, FL 34429
CONTACT: Bill or Merilee Clifton
407-808-4458 (cell / text)
sciencepartners@cfl.rr.com
We will meet at American Pro Diving Center, 821 SE US Hwy. 19, Crystal River 34429, between 7:45 and 8:00 AM. IF YOU ARE LATE, YOU WILL LITERALLY MISS THE BOAT! Our day as a group will end at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park around 3:30 PM. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch. It’s always a good idea to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, rain poncho, and camera. Creation resources will be available for purchase during our lunch time. Cost includes pontoon boat ride, wetsuit/mask/snorkel/fins rental, gratuities for pontoon boat crew, and entrance to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.
If you any have questions, please contact Bill or Merilee Clifton at 407-808-4458 (cell / text) or sciencepartners@cfl.rr.com. “Join Bill and Merilee Clifton – creationists, authors, Florida Master Naturalists, and science educators – as we focus on “Florida’s Gentle Giant” – the West Indian Manatee.
Our destination is Citrus County, The Nature Coast. In the morning, outfitted with wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins, we will take a pontoon boat ride in search of manatees. When we find them, we’ll join them in the crystal clear, spring-fed waters – the only place in Florida where it is legal to swim with manatees! During our manatee encounter, we’ll observe these sociable, endangered mammals “up close and personal.” We’ll study them in their natural habitat and discover what they look like, what they feel like, how they breathe, what they eat, and more! We’ll also learn what threatens their survival and how we can help.
Then, we’ll head for Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park for our picnic lunch and tour. This 166-acre park, located at the headwater of the Homosassa River, is a showcase for native Florida wildlife. We’ll visit the Children’s Education Center and also see many examples of Florida wildlife, some endangered or threatened. We’ll take the “Wildlife Walk” through natural wildlife habitats, keeping an eye out for alligators, crocodiles, snakes, deer, Florida black bear, bobcats, otter, Florida panthers, manatees (underwater viewing), and a variety of birds including endangered whooping cranes.
COST: (whether you snorkel or just ride the boat) is $70 for 5 – 12 years old and $75 for 13 years and up.