On Saturday, September 26, 2015, the Orange County Environmental Protection Division will host National Public Lands Day.
By Michael Menendez
Held in recognition of National Lands Day, two Orange County Green PLACE properties: Johns Lake Conservation Area located at 880 Avalon Road, Winter Garden and Pine Lily Preserve located at 1401 S County Road 13, Orlando will feature events dealing with conservation and nature.
The events are free and open to the public. The days activities will offer the chance for volunteers at Johns Lake to participate in natural land enhancement projects and educational and recreational events.
Participants at Pine Lily Preserve will enjoy a guided hike through old Florida as they learn about conservation, wildflower identification and nature photography. A professional photographer will share tips on how to capture fascinating images of landscapes and wildlife.
National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort, educates citizens about the value of natural resources and brings the community together through the mutual interest of restoring public lands, a vital component in our growing society as we try more and more every day to learn how to better live with the land. Green PLACE is Orange County’s program for the preservation and restoration of environmentally sensitive lands.
Photos taken on Green PLACE properties are eligible to be entered in the Orange Audubon Society Chertok photo contest and will be eligible for additional prizes and inclusion in Orange County’s 2017 nature calendar. To learn more visit here.
Michael Menendez is a journalism student at the University of Central Florida.
