Festival Activities from 2011:
Walk the Panther Mile
Reservations Required - Cost: FREE
Tours begin at 9:00am, 9:30am, 1:00PM and 1:30PM
Maximum Attendees Per Tour: 15
Join Big Cypress National Preserve Rangers Saturday at the Festival for a leisurely one mile walk on the trail at North Collier Regional Park. Along the way, you’ll discover interesting facts about Florida panthers, learn about their habitat, and look for tracks and other signs. You’ll also meet one of the Preserve’s panther biologists for a special demonstration and hear about the research they’re doing in the Preserve. Approximately 2 hours in length.
Livestock Enclosure
Protecting livestock and pets from predators is an important part of living in southwest Florida
One way to protect them is to have a pen in your yard to secure outdoor animals, particularly at night when Florida panthers, coyotes, foxes and other predators are most active. This ensures the protection of livestock and pets, but also the overall health and protection of Florida panthers, who should be hunting native wildlife such as white-tailed deer and hogs.A livestock pen will be on display in the Living with Wildlife pavilion to provide visitors with ideas for how they can provide protection for their livestock and pets from all predators, including Florida panthers. The pen demonstration is meant to showcase one model that can be used, but biologists will be on-hand to discuss options and adaptations. A flyer will be available to take home with a building plan, important construction tips, and resources for homeowners to check into. If you live in panther territory and own any outdoor pets or animals, come visit us at the Living with Wildlife pavilion!
Trail Tails
Open to everyone - No Reservations Necessary
Tours begin at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm
Join a Florida Master Naturalist on a stroll through nature, enjoying the great outdoors and learning about southwest Florida ecosystems and wildlife. 30 to 45 minutes. Great for families with young kids. Meet inside the Exhibit Hall.
Artist Area
Logo/Artwork Contest
Come view all of the submissions to the Florida Panther Festival Logo Contest that was held during this past summer!
NatureSpace Lab
Relax indoors with your kids
Come inside through Exhibit Hall to the NatureSpace Lab. Here, you and your kids can make crafts or just relax and cool off after a hike.
Ranger Randy
How to become a Nature Detective Walk
Guests can join The Ritz-Carlton, Naples’ Randy Sarton, a certified Florida Master Naturalist, on two nature walks - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Ranger Randy will be leading the 30-minute activity with an emphasis on "Learning how to observe nature and take in all its wonders” or in other words, “How to become a Nature Detective."
Nature's Wonders Booth
Ranger Randy will have a booth full of information on some of the most interesting animals in Florida, and our charismatic mega fauna, including panthers, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and alligators. Randy would display and discuss the Nature’s Wonders skull collection of all of these animals, and distribute literature and answer questions for the any attendees.
Panther Games for Kids
Take a turn playing a Florida Panther game!
Join other kids for a round of one of three games, Lunch for a Florida Panther, Florida Panther Neighbors, and Panther Prowl.
Explore the Exhibits
Visit over 30 exhibitors and vendors!
Walk the Panther Mile
Reservations Required - Cost: FREE
Tours begin at 9:00am, 9:30am, 1:00PM and 1:30PM
Maximum Attendees Per Tour: 15
Join Big Cypress National Preserve Rangers Saturday at the Festival for a leisurely one mile walk on the trail at North Collier Regional Park. Along the way, you’ll discover interesting facts about Florida panthers, learn about their habitat, and look for tracks and other signs. You’ll also meet one of the Preserve’s panther biologists for a special demonstration and hear about the research they’re doing in the Preserve. Approximately 2 hours in length.
Livestock Enclosure
Protecting livestock and pets from predators is an important part of living in southwest Florida
One way to protect them is to have a pen in your yard to secure outdoor animals, particularly at night when Florida panthers, coyotes, foxes and other predators are most active. This ensures the protection of livestock and pets, but also the overall health and protection of Florida panthers, who should be hunting native wildlife such as white-tailed deer and hogs.A livestock pen will be on display in the Living with Wildlife pavilion to provide visitors with ideas for how they can provide protection for their livestock and pets from all predators, including Florida panthers. The pen demonstration is meant to showcase one model that can be used, but biologists will be on-hand to discuss options and adaptations. A flyer will be available to take home with a building plan, important construction tips, and resources for homeowners to check into. If you live in panther territory and own any outdoor pets or animals, come visit us at the Living with Wildlife pavilion!
Trail Tails
Open to everyone - No Reservations Necessary
Tours begin at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm
Join a Florida Master Naturalist on a stroll through nature, enjoying the great outdoors and learning about southwest Florida ecosystems and wildlife. 30 to 45 minutes. Great for families with young kids. Meet inside the Exhibit Hall.
Artist Area
Logo/Artwork Contest
Come view all of the submissions to the Florida Panther Festival Logo Contest that was held during this past summer!
NatureSpace Lab
Relax indoors with your kids
Come inside through Exhibit Hall to the NatureSpace Lab. Here, you and your kids can make crafts or just relax and cool off after a hike.
Ranger Randy
How to become a Nature Detective Walk
Guests can join The Ritz-Carlton, Naples’ Randy Sarton, a certified Florida Master Naturalist, on two nature walks - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Ranger Randy will be leading the 30-minute activity with an emphasis on "Learning how to observe nature and take in all its wonders” or in other words, “How to become a Nature Detective."
Nature's Wonders Booth
Ranger Randy will have a booth full of information on some of the most interesting animals in Florida, and our charismatic mega fauna, including panthers, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and alligators. Randy would display and discuss the Nature’s Wonders skull collection of all of these animals, and distribute literature and answer questions for the any attendees.
Panther Games for Kids
Take a turn playing a Florida Panther game!
Join other kids for a round of one of three games, Lunch for a Florida Panther, Florida Panther Neighbors, and Panther Prowl.
Explore the Exhibits
Visit over 30 exhibitors and vendors!