Mission:
The mission
of the Environmental Lands Division Education
Program, through the Brooker Creek Preserve
Environmental Education Center and the
Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural
History Center, is to empower citizens to
make informed decisions about natural resources.
These centers provide educational programs
for citizens of all ages, interactive
exhibits, specialty hikes, guided canoe
tours, and other activities to the visiting
public. Come
visit us!
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center 
The
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental
Education Center opened in Summer of
2004. This Center is one of
two such facilities managed by the Environmental Lands
Division of the Department of Environmental Management. At
25,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art Center is a
place where residents and visitors can experience, discover
and understand what makes Brooker Creek Preserve special. In
addition to providing visitors an opportunity
to experience the ecology of the Preserve,
the Center focuses on the importance
of conserving and managing our limited
natural resources.
At the core of the Center is the Exhibit Hall featuring
22 interactive exhibits for visitors to enjoy and learn
about the Preserve's ecosystems, including the flora
and fauna that live there, and our interactions with
them. Hands-on exhibits, dioramas and high-tech media
seamlessly mix to provide exciting experiences for all
visitors. Two classrooms/laboratories offer opportunities
for groups to delve deeper into topics and issues beyond
the exhibits and displays. Also, a 200-person auditorium
affords an exceptional setting for presentations, workshops,
and special events as well as serving as a gallery space
for local artists to display their work.
The Wildlands
Hiking Trail, which is easily accessable from
the Center, is now open. This
4-mile, 4-loop trail system includes
a 0.7-mile boardwalk and upland trail
loop near the Center. The remaining 3
loops are rugged natural trails perfect
for the long-distance hiker willing to
get wet and muddy, especially during the
rainy season. Be sure to check out
the trail conditions before visiting us. All
visitors will enjoy their experience to “Our
Wildest Place.”
For more information and driving directions,
contact us.
Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
This
educational facility opened in December
2002. Center programs interpret
the natural systems found at the Preserve
and the indigenous peoples historically
supported by those systems. The Center
supports various educational programs
at the Weedon Island Preserve, including
nature walks, ongoing education activities
with school groups, public workshops,
and environmental presentations. A classroom
laboratory provides additional opportunities
to groups. An 85-person multipurpose
room provides audiovisual equipment for
lectures and events. Plans for a 6,000
square foot interactive exhibit gallery
are underway with completion expected
in 2007. A portion of this gallery is
now in place with interim exhibits and
some permanent elements of the exhibit
design plan. A Virtual Tour kiosk provides
visitors with interactive digital imagery
of early indigenous artifacts from the
Smithsonian. Visit the Weedon Island
Preserve Cultural & Natural History
Center and take a virtual
tour of artifacts. 
Prehistoric
Dugout Canoe Discovered at Weedon
Island Preserve 
Archaeologists recently investigated an ancient dugout canoe
dating to 1,100 years ago at Weedon Island Preserve. The canoe
was made of pine and measured almost 40 feet long, making it
the longest prehistoric canoe found in Florida. In addition,
this canoe had a raised bow for travel on open waters, and one
of two ever found in a salt water bay environment. For now the
canoe will remain buried until funding is in place for proper
curation and preservation.
For
more information and driving directions, contact
us.
Publications
The
Division produces a variety of publications in support of our Land Management,
Research, and Education missions. The following publications are available
on-line. A limited number of hard copies are available and can be obtained
by writing to:
Environmental Lands Division
3620 Fletch Haven Drive
Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
( Indicates
PDF file)
1. Environmental
Lands Division "2001" Annual Report
2. Environmental
Lands Division "2000" Annual
Report .
3. Shell Key Visitor Guide Brochure
4. Shell Key Preserve Management Plan
5. Pinellas
County Preserve Ordinance
08-29
6. Weedon Island Preserve Visitor Guide Brochure
7.
Weedon Island Preserve North Paddling
Trail Brochure
8.
Weedon Island Preserve South Paddling
Trail Brochure
9. Weedon Island Preserve Management
Plan
10. Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental
Education Center Brochure
11. Brooker Creek Preserve Wildlands
Hiking Trails
12. The Friends Trail at Brooker Creek
Preserve
13. Brooker
Creek Watershed Brochure
14. Brooker
Creek Preserve Management Plan
15. Environmental
Lands Division Promotional Booklet
16. Waterways
Ordinance Chapter 130
17. Brooker Creek Preserve Horse Trails
Additionally,
the following publications are available on-site at the Brooker Creek
and Weedon Island Preserves:
1.
Trail guides (for walking, horseback
riding, and canoeing)
2. Hard copies of newsletters and annual reports
Other Educational Activities
Family
EarthFest at Pinewood Cultural Park: The Division's Education Program
contributes yearly to the Department's EarthFest. A table with exhibits
and hands-on activities showcases the Division's education and outreach
goals, and provide opportunities for visitors to interact with our staff.
In previous years, interactive games have been available, as well as copies
of the Division's publications.
