Come meet "Orion" or "Moby", a Barred Owl!

At the Tree Fair, April 24, 2021, at the North Port City Center Green from 10-2. The Peace River Wildlife group will introduce you to this special animal! We're not sure which one will be up for this public appearance, but one will definitely be there!

Take part in the Great Tree Scavenger Hunt!

Download the clue sheet from this website's home page and find the missing information from the tree tags at our Commemorative Tree Walk located along the access road for 41, just south of North Port Blvd. as you walk along the pathway. Kids win a prize bag and a one-gallon native tree! The hunt will continue indefinitely!

The Eco-Kids used their five senses to explore the great outdoors

Bark rubbings, a great way to use our sense of touch to explore a tree.

Eco-Kids explored the great outdoors!

The Eco-Kids explored the great oaks of the Oaks Park in North Port on Saturday, September 28.

"Its Tree-mendous to be Outside!"

Open to all children. Sept. 28, The Oaks Park, 5430 Drake Terrace, North Port, 10am-12pm. Children will be led through activities to learn about the trees and plants along the Myakkahatchee Creek so they can connect with nature!. Sneakers and clothes that can get wet/muddy should be worn. Water will be available to refill reusable water bottles which participants should bring. Snacks will be supplied!

Fairy House Contest!

Children of all ages are invited to submit a Fairy House to be displayed at our Tree Fair 2019, April 27, from 10-2, at the Senior Center, 4940 PanAm Blvd., North Port. A Fairy House is a small structure where fairies can live in harmony with nature. Houses should be built using only natural materials (i.e. sticks, bark, pebbles, shells, pinecones, acorns, etc.)but remember that fairies are careful not to harm anything that is growing. (Some man-made items can be used as decorations, furniture, etc.)$50 cash prize for Best of Show in each category: Adult ( ages 19 and up), Teen (ages 13-18), and child ( ages 12 and under). Contact Alice White ( 941) 468-2486 or treelady12001@yahoo.com for more information.

Eco-Kids to explore the Myakkahatchee Creek!

Saturday, Sept.22, 10AM-11:30AM, The Oaks Park, Mandrake Drive, North Port. We'll explore the eco-systems of the Myakkahatchee Creek, both land and water animals, and make animal tracks in the mud using molds made from real animal tracks! Recommended ages 5 and up. Please wear sneakers that can get wet. Suggested donation is $2 per child. Of course parents can join in on the fun, too!
For more information: Alice White, treelady12001@yahoo.com or call/text 941-468-2486.

From the River (Myakka) to the Creek (Deer Prairie)

We explored the trail that is between these two waterways in June. Our next adventure should be in September. Stay tuned!

Our next Eco-Kids Adventure!

The Eco-Kids Club---Creek to River!
The Eco-Kids Club, an outdoor adventure club that is open to all children (recommended ages 5 and up) who want to explore the great outdoors of Florida, will meet on Saturday, June 23 at the Deer Prairie Creek Park located at 11045 S. Tamiami Trail in North Port (along Hwy. 41 (N) just before River Road),10-11:30AM. The Eco-Kids will explore the trails that border Prairie Creek and the Myakka River! Discover the animals, plants, and ecosystems of Florida and the amazing things that are in your own backyard! (Parents are welcome to join in the fun, too!)
Please wear sneakers and proper attire (shorts and t-shirt OK, NO tank tops). Suggested donation: $2 per child.
The Eco-Kids excursions are led by Alice White, chair of People for Trees, and long-time North Port resident and teacher since 1990. For more information visit www.peoplefortrees.com, or email treelady12001@yahoo.com, call/text (941) 468-2486.
People for Trees is a non-profit native tree advocacy group that has been creating awareness about the importance of maintaining our tree canopy since 1997.

Fun at the Fossil Find!

We had a great turnout for our "Fossil Find" at the Myakkahatchee Creek at Oaks Park. Sharks teeth, turtle shell, and stingray barbs were some of the fossils we found by sifting through the creek's bottom, which was pretty easy since the water level was so low!

Fossil Find! this Saturday, April 28

The Eco-Kids Club will investigate the fossils that can be found along the Myakkahatchee Creek and ponder the question of why would there be sharks' teeth and turtle vertebrates found in and around the creek??? Join us at 10AM at the Oaks Park, North Port (on Mandrake Dr. from Lady Slipper off of Sumter Blvd. near the interstate). Wear sneakers that can get wet and dirty! Open to all children ( ages 5 and up) who want to explore the great outdoors of Florida. Parents are welcome to join us, too! Suggested donation: $2 per child.

The Eco-Kids Adventures begin again!

After a long hiatus, the Eco-Kids Club is back!
Saturday, March 24, 10AM. We’ll meet at Butler Park and take a fun-filled hike along a portion of the Myakkahatchee Creek! Please wear sneakers and proper attire ( shorts and t-shirt OK, NO tank tops!) Recommended ages 5 and up. Parents are welcome to join in on the fun, too! Suggested donation: $2 per child.
For more information, contact Alice White, (941) 468-2486, treelady12001@yahoo.com

Eco-Kids had a "tree-mendous" Florida Arbor Day!

Our Eco-Kids Club program for January took place at Kirk Park in North Port. After taking part in some tree-mendous games and crafts, the kids helped out with the planting of six Florida elm trees at the park.

The Shark Brothers meet the Eco-Kids!

The "Shark Brothers" (Sean and Brooks Paxton) put on a fascinating program in November for our Eco-Kids out at the Myakkahatchee Creek Park.

Our 8th Annual Eco-Kids Club Blast! WAS a Blast!

Our annual official kick-off celebration for another year of great monthly programs for the Eco-Kids Club took place on Saturday, September 10 at Dallas White Park. John Storms presented his exciting "World of Reptiles" show and kids of all ages climbed the 25-foot climbing wall, found their way through our Tree Maze, took a ride on the Tree-mendous Hayride, played our "RecycleToss" and "Trash Blaster" games, and every native one-gallon tree we brought to be "adopted" was taken home! The Knight Owls Kiwanis provided free hot dogs and lemonade for the kids. Check out our Eco-Kids Club link for the year's full schedule of programs.

Fossil Find was great!

On April 23, the "Eco-Kids Club" had their "Fossil Find" program with Sarasota County 4-H agent Keith Wilson. Children found sharks' teeth and other prehistoric items in the waters of the Myakkahatchee Creek from the Oaks Park in North Port. The "Eco-Kids Club" is open to any child (recommended ages 5 and up) who wants to explore the great outdoors of Florida. Suggested donation is $1.00 per child. For more information call Alice White at 426-9752.

Snakes and Turtles visited the Eco-Kids Club!

Hey,Kids! On March 19, Doug Jones presented a really exciting program at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. He had snakes, turtles, and lizards. Check it out!