Volunteer Workday - Great American Cleanup at Emerson Point

Saturday 17th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM – VOLUNTEER WORKDAY: GREAT AMERICAN
CLEANUP – Keep Manatee Beautiful’s Annual GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP is here! Every
year volunteers collect trash along Manatee County’s coasts, helping protect wildlife and
keeping the natural lands beautiful. Volunteers can work at Emerson Point Preserve on land, or
call Ray’s Canoe Hideaway for a free canoe rental to paddle down the Manatee River and
collect trash near Rye Preserve. Join us for this fun family event and help make a difference in
the preserves you love to visit! Suitable for all ages. Please contact Keep Manatee Beautiful for
more information. Call 941-795-8272. Emerson Point, Leffis Key, Jiggs Landing and Rye

Saturday 17th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM – DUETTE PRESERVE POKER TRAIL RIDE – Enjoy a
morning horseback ride through Duette Preserve during the first annual Duette Poker Trail Ride.
Sponsored by Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary, this event will feature multiple poker rides and a
silent auction to raise funds for the non-profit horse sanctuary. Participants must have their own
horse and proof of a negative Coggins test. Program suitable for all ages. For more information, or
to register, please call (941) 232-0081. Duette Preserve

Saturday 17th, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM – MASTER GARDENER TOUR – Which plants bloom in the
warmer spring weather at Emerson Point Preserve? Join the Master Gardeners for a relaxing stroll
through Emerson Point Preserve to view firsthand the answer to this question. Program suitable
for all ages. Please call the Master Gardener Office for reservations at 941-722-4524. Emerson
Point Preserve

Saturday 17th, 2:00 PM & 3:30 PM – NATURALIST-LED WAGON TOURS – Roll through Robinson
Preserve in a covered wagon! Your naturalist tour guide will explain the preserve’s history, resident
wildlife, fabulous flowers, and describe preserve highlights. Two 60-minute trips will be taken
during the day. A fee of $3.00 per adult and $2.00 per child (includes tax) will be charged.
Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are suggested. Seats will be available on a first-come,
first-serve basis. Please call 941-742-5757 ext. 1. Robinson Preserve

Tuesday 20th, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM – SUNSET SHUTTER STROLL – Our popular Sunset Shutter
Strolls are back! Join nature photographer Dotty Motta to learn tips and tricks for shooting wildlife,
landscapes and, of course, the beautiful sunsets at Emerson Point Preserve. You’ll have the
opportunity to remain in the preserve after the gates close to snap a few shots of the post-sunset
“blue hour” too! Program suitable for adults. Reservations are required! Get your flashlights ready
and call 941-742-5757 ext. 9. Emerson Point Preserve

Saturday 24th, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM – WILD KIDS WEEKENDS: SEA STAR SAFARI – What has
spiny skin and five arms? Sea stars! Sea urchins, sand dollars and all other members of the
“echinoderm” family have spiny skin, and can be divided into 5 parts. During this hands-on
program participants will have echinoderm excitement as they learn all about these fabulous sea
creatures. Dress to get wet – we will be going dip netting in the sea grass beds! Program suitable
for children ages 5 and up. Reservations are required! Get your flashlights ready and call 941-742-
5757 ext. 4. Emerson Point Preserve

Saturday 24th, 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM – NATURALIST-LED WAGON TOURS – Roll through
Robinson Preserve in a covered wagon! Your naturalist tour guide will explain the preserve’s
history, resident wildlife, fabulous flowers, and describe preserve highlights. Two 60-minute trips
will be taken during the day. A fee of $3.00 per adult and $2.00 per child (includes tax) will be
charged. Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are suggested. Seats will be available on a
first-come, first-serve basis. Please call 941-742-5757 ext. 1. Robinson Preserve

* Thanks to YOU our events have become extremely popular! In order to maintain the
quality of our programs, we will cap attendance for all programs. Be sure to register
early as spaces are limited and programs fill up early! *

* Most tours are FREE and take roughly 2 hours, unless otherwise noted. Please dress
accordingly for an outdoor event – we recommend wearing close-toed shoes, a hat, bug spray
and sunscreen. You may also wish to bring water and a snack, but please do not
bring glass bottles *