Celebrate the earth in
Seminole County
“The poetry of earth is ceasing never”John Keats, 1816
Here, the “poetry of earth” enriches your every sense. From the ambiguous meter of alligators sliding silently just beneath the surface of Lake Jesup…to the rhythmic beat of anhinga wings flying low over the St. John’s River…to the epic verses of millennial forests…the poetry of Seminole County bursts forth in a tapestry of sights, sounds, scents, tastes and touches.
As spring breaks free of winter’s icy grip, there are few places comparable to Seminole County in which to observe and participate in the natural bounty of earth’s treasures. Here, you may seek adventure in tours created to place you in the midst of Florida’s natural beauty; share an eco-romantic river journey with a loved one; join your family on an environmentally conceived oasis on Wekiva Island; or participate in Earth Day celebrations. And here, you may choose conscientious lodging that seeks to protect our eco-systems as much as you do. Here is the “poetry of earth.” Come join us as we celebrate.
A Green Lodging Experience
In 2004, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection launched a voluntary initiative for lodging facilities to become more eco-friendly by preserving and protecting the state’s natural resources. Facilities that receive a “Green Lodging Destination” implement several environmental practices that include communication and education, waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, air quality and transportation. Many of the facilities that have earned the designation in Seminole County are part of national chains, enabling you to take advantage of awards programs while protecting the environment.
Use your Hilton Honors Awards card at the
Embassy Suites Orlando North in Altamonte Springs that offers “green reservations” and the
Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs. Marriott Rewards points may be redeemed at the luxurious
Orlando Marriott Lake Mary and (for extended stays) the
Residence Inn by Marriott Lake Mary. In addition to being able to double your Starpoints® by registering and staying at the
Westin Lake Mary Orlando North by April 15, 2011, you can investigate a number of money-saving special offers. Or you can use your Hyatt Gold Passport and book online to take advantage of the Hyatt’s Best Rate Guarantee at
Hyatt Place Lake Mary.
Adventure Seekers and Environment Lovers
Is there any adventure more thrilling than setting out on your own to explore the waters and trails of Seminole County? We can think of one: Explore with an expert guide who knows where you’re likely to spot an alligator basking on a lake bank…an expert who can show you a bald eagle that you may have missed on your own…a naturalist who can explain the delicate balance of native flora and the wildlife that depends on it. At
Amazing Outdoor Adventures, out of Casselberry, wilderness guides will take you hiking through the back woods trails of Seminole County, canoeing down unspoiled waterways or backpacking for several days into the wild. You’ll receive all the supplies you need for an exciting kayaking adventure when you sign up for a tour down the Wekiva River with
Central Florida Nature Adventures in Eustis, and if one day isn’t enough, you can kayak your first day and go horseback riding the second. And at
Blue Heron River Tours, you’ll enjoy cruising on “Great Blue,” a craft designed to navigate you through the quiet and shallow backwater areas where wildlife viewing is at its optimal best.
Romance and ecology go hand-in-hand
For 25 years, married couples, lovers and people who want to become married couples or lovers have found and rekindled romances on the “
Rivership Romance” as it cruises nature’s wonderland on the St. John’s River. Sailing out of Sanford, the “Rivership Romance” immerses its passengers in two- to four-hour cruises, including the Moonlight Dining and Dancing Cruise every Saturday evening. If your idea of romance is more into stops to photograph wildlife and closely observe manatees, a
St. John’s River Cruise aboard the “Native II” might be the shipboard adventure you’re seeking.
A get-away to Wekiva
For the ultimate eco-vacation, be sure to include Wekiva Island on your itinerary.
Wekiva Island was conceived as an environmentally responsible oasis; a gathering spot; a place that through its natural splendor brings people together. Wekiva Island offers an eight-mile kayak or canoe excursion from Kings Landing to the island with plenty of opportunities for picnicking and swimming along the way. Or travel the spring-fed Wekiva River for an unblemished glimpse of what the area looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted the area.
Earth Day Celebrations
The
Cuplet Fern Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is planning Earth Day at Seminole County Environmental Studies Center in Longwood from 10 AM-1 PM on April 16 with hikes through woods and wetlands and a special swamp walk that requires reservations. An hour earlier at 9 AM., a field trip to
Spring Hammock Preserve will rededicate a commitment to support Earth Day initiatives and protect the environment. And on April 11, the
Sanford Garden Club will present images of nature from the Panhandle to the Keys with an emphasis on native plants. It’s a program that’s free, open to the public and a perfect way to appreciate Florida’s unique environment.