Please register on our chapter’s Eventbrite page so we know who plans to attend: http://pinelilyft092218.eventbrite.com
The Circle B Bar Reserve Program Director, Tabitha Biehl, will be giving us a tour of the native plant demonstration gardens, answering our questions, and sharing the triumphs and challenges of their extensive land restoration projects. Following our guided tour, we will be on our own for optional activities including viewing the indoor exhibits, exploring the trails, or enjoying a picnic lunch in one of the shaded picnic pavilions. The Circle B Bar Reserve, on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, is a former cattle ranch that today boasts a wide variety of plants and animals. You can see several distinct ecosystems in this reserve of only 1,267 acres. You're almost guaranteed to see alligators in Lake Hancock, often considered the headwaters of the Peace River, which flows more than 100 miles from Polk County southwest to the Gulf of Mexico. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners and the Southwest Florida Water Management District acquired Circle B Bar Reserve in December 2000, primarily to protect the valuable water and wildlife resources and to restore the Banana Creek marsh system.
Start Time of Field Trip: Carpool or arrive on your own at 9:15 a.m. Meet outside Discovery Center. The field trip will start at 9:30 a.m.
End Time of Field Trip: 11:30am
Contact # Day of Event:Circle B Bar Reserve 863-668-4673Erica Pennell, FNPS Pine Lily Chapter 407-433-1320Field Trip Leader:Tabitha Biehl, Program Director, Circle B Bar Reserve
Park Entrance Fee: $5 Minimum suggested donation per person, payable to Circle B Bar the day of. (Please register beforehand on our Eventbrite page!)
Degree of Difficulty: Mild
Handicap Access: Yes
Nearest Restrooms:Indoor facilities located inside Discovery Center
Nearest Gas Station:3 miles: From Circle B Bar Reserve, Turn left on FL-540 W and continue 2 miles. Turn left onto US-98 S and continue ½ mile to the Racetrac on the right.
Cell Phone Reception: Good
DON’T FORGET TO BRING:Dress for Florida outdoors. Activities will be in the sun most of the time. Bring water, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, snacks, optional picnic lunch, and proper clothing for the weather.
GPS:
Latitude and Longitude: 27°59'47.5"N 81°51'55.1"W8°30'41.8"N 81°50'31.5"W
Driving Directions: Approximate drive time from Kissimmee about 1hr, 5 mins.
To Carpool: Meet at 7.45am at Commuter Parking near the turnpike entrance, located on Shady Lane (behind Speedway which is at 2294 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34744)
From Kissimmee: -Get on I-4 W from Neptune Rd, US-17 S/US-92 W (John Young Pkwy) and Osceola Polk Line Rd. 36 min (18.5 mi)-Follow I-4 W and FL-570 W/Polk Pkwy to FL-540 W/Winter Lake Rd. Take exit 14 from FL-570 W/Polk Pkwy 25 min (27.6 mi)-Follow FL-540 W to Discovery Dr 4 min (2.7 mi)-Turn left onto Discovery Dr. Destination will be on the right.