Flagler County, Ormond Beach celebrate Earth Day

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Flagler County's Washington Oaks Garden State Park is hosting its annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 20 while the city of Ormond Beach will hold its own event at the Environmental Discovery Center.

The Flagler County event will take place in the Washington Oaks park, located at 6400 North Ocean Shore Boulevard, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Earth Day celebration will include live entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors, plant sales, kids activities and community booths from local environmental groups, according to the event's posting on VisitFlagler.com.

The entry fee is $5 per vehicle of up to eight people, $4 for vehicles with one occupant and $2 for pedestrians, the post said. Those who wish to attend should bring cash for the entry fee, preferably in exact change.

In Ormond Beach, the annual celebration will be held at the Environmental Discovery Center at 601 Division Avenue from 10 a.m.-2p.m. Ormond Beach's event will feature environmental exhibitors, native plant vendors and guest presentations. There will also be guided nature walks — including a family-friendly stroll through the park to look for birds at 11 a.m. — and games and crafts.

The city's annual tree give away will start an hour before the celebration, at 9 a.m.

Flagler County is also hosting an Earth Day volunteer event at Betty Steflik Preserve with Flagler County Parks and Recreation and other organizations, a Flagler County Press release said.

Volunteers will plant a forage garden for the preserver's gopher tortoise population and work to remove the invasive Brazilian Pepper from the hiking trail.

Those who wish to volunteer must register in advance with the County Parks and recreation and be at least 16. Registrants should meet at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, at Betty Steflik Preserve, 815 Moody Lane, Flagler Beach, the press release said.

“There will be opportunities to learn about the vegetation in the preserve, and opportunities to get your hands dirty,” Parks and Recreation Manager Frank Barbuti said.

The county's Parks and Recreation has partnered with the city of Flagler Beach, the local University of Florida IFAS Extension office, the Florida Master Gardner Volunteers and Flagler Volunteer Services, the press release said.

For more information, contact Vikki Geisel, 386-313-4016 or [email protected]. Community service hours for school and college are accepted, the press release said, and volunteers should dress for the weather.