April 6 Wild About Nature free event to be hosted by Conservation Foundation at its Bay Preserve headquarters in Osprey

Numerous activities planned for children

These youngsters are enjoying the 2023 Wild About Nature event. Photo by Kerri Gagne Photography, courtesy of the Conservation Foundation

On Saturday, April 6, the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast will host its annual Wild About Nature Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its  Bay Preserve headquarters, which is located at 400 Palmetto Ave. in Osprey (34229), the nonprofit has announced.

“With an exhibitor line-up featuring many local environmental and youth-serving organizations, this free children’s festival brings the community together for a fun-filled day of nature-based activities and exploration,” a news release explains. All of the activities have been planned meant to get children outside “and excited about nature,” the release adds.

Among the activities will be tree climbing, nature printing, the planting of native plants, animal encounters, face painting, crafts, and games, the release points out. Additionally, multiple food trucks will be on-site, the release says: Currywurst, The Empanada Girl, Simply Greek by Wynnberry, Kona Ice, and Surfing Coconut.

”We are delighted to bring this engaging and educational festival back to Bay Preserve,” Christine P. Johnson, president of the Conservation Foundation, said in the release. “Through both our year-round youth education programming and events such as these, we provide kids with the kind of WOW! moments in nature that lead to a lifelong respect for and appreciation of the great outdoors,” she noted.

“Wild About Nature is the best,” added Sam Valentin, the Conservation Foundation’s director of marketing and events, in the release. “Not only are we connecting kids to nature and showing them how much fun they can have outside, we’re also bringing nonprofits and community organizations from across the region together in the same place at the same time for families to learn more. And it’s free and open to everyone!”

Registration is not required for this community event, the release notes, “though Facebook event RSVPs are requested.”
Parking generally will be off-site, at the First Baptist Church of Osprey, Victory Baptist Church, and the historic Osprey Library, the release adds, with only limited handicapped parking available on the property. Those who attempt to enter the Bay Preserve parking lot will be re-routed, unless they have the appropriate parking permit, the release points out.

“A trolley will run on a loop to transport guests between the event space and parking areas,” the release says.

More details, including the participating exhibitors, may be found on the Conservation Foundation’s Wild About Nature Facebook event page. To become a sponsor the 2024 Wild About Nature Festival, the release notes, visit conservationfoundation.com/wild.