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HOMOSASSA – Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock today thanked the Felburn Foundation for a $500,000 donation, which will help build a new Wildlife Care Center at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Slated for 2006 opening, this state-of-the-art wildlife care center will expand care facilities for the unique wildlife at the park.

“New environmental and educational opportunities are coming to one of Florida’s most unique parks,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “Thanks to the generosity of our partners, park staff and volunteers, construction of new state-of-the-art facilities will improve wildlife care and provide exciting research opportunities for University students.”

The new 4,400 square foot Wildlife Care Center will be double the size of the current facility. The funding will support the partnership between Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and the Felburn Foundation. This facility will aid the recovery of endangered wildlife including the West Indian manatee, Key deer, whooping crane and wood stork. The funding will also build an intern housing at the park for the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, giving students a hands-on learning experience in wildlife care.

“This project is a natural extension of our mission to help preserve and protect the wildlife at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park,” said Park Manager Art Yerian.

The grant from the Felburn Foundation will be matched by the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Partnership in Parks Program, dedicating more than $330,000 to the project. Construction of the new Wildlife Care Center is expected to begin in the spring of 2006.

The most popular park in the region with more than 300,000 visitors last year, Homosassa Springs is home to an underwater manatee observatory providing a unique view of Florida’s famed sea cows. A new 1,600-foot Wildlife Walk takes visitors along a boardwalk showcasing the natural habitats of bobcats, cougars, otters, bears and hundreds of birds.

A part of DEP, the Florida Park Service manages 158 parks covering more than 700,000 acres. Under the leadership of Governor Jeb Bush, Florida added eight new parks and more than 203,000 acres to its nationally-renowned park system, making it one of the largest in the country.

Above Ground Manatee Pool is still work in progress. Whooping Crane #18 could still be considered for Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park if he fails a physical or does not migrate properly with wild Whooping Cranes. If he would be sent to Homosassa, he would be in quarantine for 30 days and then placed separated from our female and gradually introduced. Key Deer “Dixie” is recovering from her fractured left shoulder and will be x rayed in the near future. She is stable on the leg and will be placed out on exhibit as soon as possible after being vet. checked. Additional Key Deer compounds are being planned to allow for separation between bucks and does and also as a treatment area if needed. Juvenile Sandhill Crane is recovering from orthopedic surgery to his fractured wing from being shot with a pellet rifle. Still in very serious condition but are hopeful for a recovery. Wild Eagles have flown in and perched with our captive Eagles. So don’t be alarmed if you see more than three Eagles on exhibit. Enjoy the site!

Ribbon Cutting from L to R: Virginia Svoboda, park volunteer and artist; Mary Craven, Citrus County Tourism Development Manager; Jim Mitcheson, the park's Maintenance Supervisor; Torrey Johnson, District 2 Bureau Chief, Florida Park Service; Ken Sharpe, President of the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park and Park Manager Tom Linley.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park held a Grand Opening of its Wildlife Walk project on Saturday, March 27, 2004. The Wildlife Walk represents the most significant improvement made to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park since it became a State Park over fifteen years ago. This project provides our resident wildlife with large, open exhibits and our visitors with an elevated boardwalk for improved access and viewing opportunities.

The Grand Opening was a celebration of the successful partnership between the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and the Division of Recreation and Parks. In addition to the newly completed Wildlife Walk, visitors to the Grand Opening event enjoyed roving interpreters with examples of Florida’s wildlife at the rain shelters and overlooks along the Wildlife Walk.

The Partnership in Parks program helped make possible the Wildlife Walk Phases I and II. The Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park raised sixty percent of the total funds, with the State of Florida providing the remaining forty percent to make this project a reality. It took the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park three years to raise the funds for Phase II. These funds were matched with State funding, bringing the project cost to $482,167. The Friends raised their portion through a variety of methods ranging from large public events such as dinner dances to selling popcorn along with contributions from visitors, businesses and the Felburn Foundation.

Phase II of the Wildlife Walk includes new habitats and night houses for the cougars, bobcats, black bears, and reptiles as well as 1,000 feet of elevated boardwalk, two combination rain shelters and overlooks, a Wildlife Encounters Pavilion, two bridges, and a new restroom facility.

The Partnership in Parks program was established in 1996 by the Florida Legislature to encourage and facilitate public and private partnership for park improvements.

Park Manager Art Yerian and Volunteer Coordinator Marla Liane Chancey in discussion with volunteers Mary Miller (right) and Janet Luchese

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