Walk along the Education Center Trail a wooden boardwalk to Brooker Creek Preserve & Environmental Education Center at 3940 Keystone Road in Tarpon Springs. Hiking the four trails will take you through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and cypress domes.
The narrator in the film in the educational center describes the arrival of the Paleo-Indians to Florida 12,000 years ago. The Native American tribes-built sand and shell mounds made from oysters and shells. The arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500s brought cows and pigs. Cypress Timber Trees used in logging a profitable industry in the early part of the 20th century. Turpentine camps in Tarpon Springs prevalent from 1890 until the early 1920s. The sap and resin from the pine trees distilled to make turpentine.
Take a stroll on the Education Center Trail, sit on a bench under a gazebo, relax while feeling the breeze or sit on a picnic table under a tree while having a picnic. Host plants for caterpillars, nectar plants for butterflies found in the wildflower garden along the trail.
Inside the education center explore the supersize burrow exhibit. The protected Gopher Tortoise an endangered animal shares the burrow with 360 animals. Varied species of taxidermy mounted animals exhibited as well as species of snakes.
Alligators essential to our ecosystem. Read the facts about the alligator and how to stay safe if encountering one. This alligator deemed to be a nuisance and destroyed.
Blank note cards, children’s books, t-shirts, and assorted items found in gift shops. I recommend the preserve and education center so much to see and do. Free admission, donations accepted. Hours of operation on the website.
On The Road in Florida With Idelle! 