SEMINOLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Florida's Natural Choice
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CONTACT INFORMATION

Steve Waring 
Parks and Recreation
Manager
845 Lake Markham Road
Sanford, FL  32771
407-665-2001

Responsible for Sylvan Lake Park, Red Bug Lake Park, Sanlando Park and the Seminole County Softball Complex

Greenways and Natural Lands
Manager
845 Lake Markham Road
Sanford, FL  32771
407-665-2001

Responsible for all Natural Lands, Streetscapes, Trails, Boat Ramps and Passive Parks

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Parks and Preservation

Environmental Education and Programs

Leisure Services Guide
Check out the latest Guide for information on parks, trails, classes, programs and more!! 


Programs Offered September through May

Seminole County's Natural Lands properties can serve as a wonderful outdoor classroom and provide a great opportunity for hands-on learning. 

Students can visit the properties with natural lands staff and participate in activities such as wildlife inventory and vegetation mapping, and learn about topics like bio-diversity, conservation, land management, and prescribed burning. 

The Natural Lands staff can also bring a little of the outdoors into your classroom and provide an interesting and exciting learning experience.  
                               
Environmental Education Brochure                     		 Eagle Picture

Guided Hikes

These hikes are scheduled at some of our most beautiful wilderness areas.  Themes include topics such as frogs, owls, insects, and nighttime adaptations. $3 per person. Must register and pay in advance, space is limited. Must be 7 years old or older. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Hike Schedule

We also offer private hikes, at a charge of $3 per person, to groups of 15 to 25.  Please call 407-349-0959 for more information.
Night Hike

Nature Adventure Birthday Party!

Create a birthday party experience your child will never forget! Your party will feature live animals, nature walk, nature exploration and more. Parties are held in the Ed Yarborough Nature Center in the Geneva Wilderness Area just minutes from Sanford, Oviedo, and Lake Mary.
All parties include a 3 hour room/facilities rental and an SCNL instructor will lead the program. We will also set up the room with tables and chairs.  Maximum number of participants is 25.  Cost:  $170  For more information contact 407-349-0959.

School Field Trips

Geneva Wilderness Area and the Ed Yarborough Nature Center can serve as wonderful outdoor classrooms and provide a great opportunity for hands-on learning. Students can explore this property with Natural Lands staff and learn about the environment around them.

The typical education program consists of demonstration and discovery time in the Nature Center, a nature-based activity based on your school curriculum, and a guided hike through the Geneva Wilderness Area. 

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In School Program 

The Natural Lands staff provide a presentation, live specimens, skulls, maps and other related visual aides to give students a "nature" experience in the classroom.
Number of Students – Minimum of 20 students, Maximum of 120 students. Groups larger than 120 will be split into multiple class periods within the same day. The charge for this program is currently $3.00 per student . Small groups will have a more hands-on experience. In cases of large groups, teachers can choose a small group of students to join us up front to participate in the hands-on portion of the show.

Number of Programs – Up to 3 shows in one day within a 3-hour period.

Community Events
Join the Seminole County Natural Lands at one of their exciting nature events!  Learn about the native plants, wildlife and the environment around you.  Please contact 407-349-0959 for dates and time.

Earth Day Celebration
Join this fun event for the entire family at the Environmental Studies Center in Longwood to help celebrate Earth Day! The Seminole County Natural Lands team along with The Friends of the Environmental Studies Center will host several exciting events including guided hikes, exhibitors, museum tours, a Swamp Walk and other great environmental programs. This event is FREE and open to all ages. 

Earth Day Celebration April 14, 2012

Wildlife Appreciation Day - May 19, 2012
Join us at the Environmental Studies Center, 2985 Osprey Trail, Longwood and “Celebrate Central Florida’s Wildlife”. Get up close and personal with our native snakes, Florida box turtle, gopher tortoise or get a bird’s eye view of some of Florida's native birds. You’ll have an opportunity to talk to the experts about the many critters that share our County and find out what you can do to peacefully coexist with them. Come join the wildlife!  FREE and open to all ages.

Native Plant Awareness Day
Learn about the native plants found in Seminole County and how they benefit you and the wildlife that shares your habitat. You’ll have an opportunity to talk to the experts about the many uses for native plants such as xeri-scaping and butterfly gardening. There are guided hikes, exhibitors, and a native plant sale. FREE and open to all ages.
 Eagle Picture

 Native Plant Awareness Day

Wildlife Appreciation Day

Programs Offered by Our Partners

Cuplet Fern Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
Hikes and Classes
    
 
Learn to attract birds to your yard, about birdwatching tools, bird identification techniques, and practice identification session with audio and visual aids. Class includes a field trip to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Contact Seminole Audubon Society for information and registration at 407- 977-4389.