Program is free with paid park entry. Join a park ranger to discover the magnificence of mangroves, Florida’s most vital intercoastal plants. Learn how to identify each of the three true mangroves native to Florida, what special adaptations allow them to thrive in saltwater environments, and how Florida law protects these critical coastal dwellers. Space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.

Program is free with paid park entry. Join a park ranger for a leisurely hike along the beach and estuary shorelines of Lovers Key. Discover the natural beauty of both ecosystems as you encounter the seashells, crustaceans, birds, and other creatures that reside amongst these waterways. Space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.

Park entrance fee is waived for participants. Join a park ranger for a beach cleanup at South Beach. Enjoy a lovely hour on the beach as you do your part to keep our state park (and planet!) clean. Participants will record the types of trash they collect, and the findings will help inform park messaging. Gloves, buckets, pickers, pencils, and data sheets will be provided. Space is limited; reservations are required.…

Program is free with paid park entry. Join a park naturalist to learn more about our resident gopher tortoises. Discover the differences between a turtle and a tortoise, why gopher tortoises are so important to the health of their ecosystem, and what you can do to help mitigate the current threats they face. Space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.

Join us for Gopher Tortoise Day at Lovers Key State Park! From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., a myriad of guided and unguided gopher tortoise activities will take place at the Welcome and Discovery Center. For guided activities, space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.

Program is free with paid park entry. Join a park naturalist to learn more about our local dolphins. Discover the unique anatomy of these marine mammals, how they help maintain balance in the food web, and what you can do to keep them safe. Space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.

Program is free with paid park entry. Join a park ranger for a guided hike along our Black Island Trail. Learn about the fascinating vegetation and wildlife that reside in our maritime hammock ecosystem and enjoy a little local history along the way. Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles are highly recommended. Space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.

Class begins promptly at 9 a.m. in the Community Room at the Welcome and Discovery Center in Parking Lot #3. We recommend arriving an hour early to the park due to heavy traffic onto the island and into the main area of the park at this time of year. Join Artist-in-Residence Jenny M. Licht for a Manatee Painting Class at Lovers Key State Park! With Jenny's help, you'll transform your…

Program is free with paid park entry. Join park staff for a Junior Ranger educational program and accompanying activity. Each day will explore one of the four components of the Florida Park Service’s Junior Ranger program: natural resources, cultural resources, recreation, and service. Participants will be eligible for Junior Ranger passport stamps with the successful completion of the program. Space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.

All festival programs are free with paid park entry. Join us for a fun day of earthy activities to celebrate Earth Day at Lovers Key! From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., a myriad of guided and unguided Earth Day activities will be available for the whole family to enjoy at the Welcome and Discovery Center. For guided activities, space is limited; reservations are required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events.