Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve just hit a big milestone, five years since completing its major habitat restoration project. To celebrate, Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) is inviting everyone to their annual Exploration Day on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard in Englewood, Florida. The festival runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and it’s all about connecting people with nature and showing off the hard work that’s gone into conservation.
Exploration Day packs in a lot. You’ll find guided nature walks, hands-on kids’ activities, and a whole lineup of educational booths from local environmental groups. Groups like Peace River Audubon, Ruth Ward Plant Sale, DEP Water Quality/Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Coastal Wildlife Club, Greater Charlotte Harbor Sierra Club, and the Englewood Shell Club will all be there, sharing what they do and why it matters.
This year’s event also marks the fifth anniversary of the preserve’s grand reopening back in January 2021, after LBC, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and NOAA teamed up on a $1.2 million “rewilding” project. Conservationists including Dr. Bill Dunson, Dr. Mary Davis, and Jayne P Dean will give short talks about their work and what’s next for Lemon Creek. Meanwhile, the kids can dive into fun activities at one of the Conservancy’s booths. The best part? It’s all free, and everyone’s welcome.
Brad Kort, the event coordinator, sums it up perfectly: “My hope is that people come out to learn about the preserve and see what our conservation partners are doing. We’re protecting a place that’s home to birds, mammals, reptiles, plants, and people. It’s a fantastic chance to experience wild Florida. And honestly, volunteering here is just rewarding—beautiful, fun, and it brings people together.”
About Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve
Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve covers 80 acres that used to be a golf course. Now, it’s a haven for wildlife, with freshwater ponds and the Lemon Creek estuary running through it. LBC bought the land in 2010 to give local wildlife a place to thrive and to create opportunities for environmental education and research. Together with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and NOAA, they’ve brought back native habitats. Even after tough hits from Hurricanes Ian and Milton, the preserve keeps bouncing back and growing as a community treasure.
About Lemon Bay Conservancy
Lemon Bay Conservancy’s mission is to protect the wildlife and wild places around Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound, and their watersheds. They do this through land preservation, restoration projects, water quality work, education, and pushing for smart conservation policies. Their projects range from saving sensitive properties to LemonBayWatch programs that monitor seagrass, test water quality, grow oysters, and research clams. They don’t just talk about conservation, they get people involved with nature walks, the Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, and most recently, efforts to protect the Burrowing Owl, a state-threatened species.
Want to see the full schedule or get more details? Head over to LemonBayConservancy.org.
