A celebration of our local bioregion - May 18-20, 2012
This exciting 3-day festival of our bioregion around Amelia Island, includes numerous nature tours led by area naturalists and Park Rangers, nature photography workshops taught by local professionals, a nature-based / green business expo, The 'Kids Niche' nature-based activities for children, critters from the Jacksonville Zoo and more! This year's Wild Nites seminar schedule is complete.
This year reservations for ecotours will be made directly with the tour leaders. Many are offering discounts to festival attendees, so make sure you mention the Nature Festival.
2012 will be the 6th year for the Wild Amelia Nature Festival and 4th year for the Nature Photography contest. More information on Photo classes and contest rule.
Facebook - Keep up with all the local nature happenings
You can now become a member of Wild Amelia Nature Festival. Your support allows us to expand the programs we offer.
Member Benefits:
- Quarterly E-mail Newsletter
- Decal
- Membership Card
- $2 discount on Tee-Shirts and Calendars (Please show membership card when purchasing.)
- There will be a table at the EcoExpo where business members can display their promotional literature.
- Sustaining Members & Patrons will be recognized on our website.
- Patrons will be given a link on the Wild Amelia website, and will receive a framed Certificate of Appreciation.
Download Membership Form
If you would like to help support Wild Amelia's programs, visit our Sponsorship page.
Each year we choose a different local critter to highlight.
2007 Painted Bunting
2008 Gopher Tortoise.
2009 Northern Right Whales
2010 Egret
2011 Alligator
Wrap up of the 2011 Nature Festival
Another Nature Festival comes to a close.Except for the clouds that blocked the stars and planets for Friday's astronomy, the weather was perfect. There will be a photo recap of the entire event and the Photo Contest winners online in a couple days. Here are a couple links to interesting videos.
Video of Dori & Theo release on Sunday thanks to Search Amelia.com. These were two juvenile Green turtles that were rescued on Little Talbot Island last year. They were cold stunned but recovered well enough to be released. One has a radio tracker so it can be followed. Learn more about the work that is done to help injured Sea Turtles at the GA Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.
A big thanks to the entire Wild Bunch board who worked many, many hours to organize this event. Jody & Ray Hetchka, John & Kathy Brooks, Cynthia & Peter Belowski, Len Kreger, Robyn Nemes, Michelle Waterman, Maryjo Nickodem, Kathy Russell, Janet & Lou Michea, Pete Scalco, Maria Struss, Steve Leimberg.
Photo montage of Wild Amelia 2011 (Thanks Kathy Brooks)
Check out videos of past events and sea turtle releases
What folks are saying about Wild Amelia Nature Festival
"I must tell you that recently I was interviewed for a local radio public forum and the interviewer commented about how rewarding it must be to introduce children to the natural world. Volunteering in the Kids Niche and taking part in other Festival activities I witnessed many introductions to the natural world among children and adults alike. The excitement, wonder, curiosity and awe that I saw over a weekend worth of such introductions was, indeed, rewarding. The bigger picture is that you and a handful of others were not just part of organizing a fun and educational festival, but also helping to connect people to resources that so desperately need their protection. We know that connection is critically important to people acting as good stewards of the natural world and conserving and preserving our precious resources. Thank you to the entire Festival Committee for fostering such connections that will benefit us all."
Sally A. Wazny
Nature Program Coordinator
City of Gainesville
