Thanks to everyone who competed in this year's 36th Annual Real Florida 5K-10K race on Saturday, Feb 25. It was a great success. Mark your calendars for next year's race on Sat. Feb 24, 2024.

WWT awarded $100,000 grant for Ethel

On January 30, the Wekiva Wilderness Trust was awarded a $100,000 grant from Walt Disney World Resort to help make a happier and healthier planet possible. The WWT was one of five Florida conservation organizations to receive awards as part of the 'Disney Planet Possible' effort for a brighter, more sustainable future. The WWT grant will go towards the Ethel project and was recognized for its commitment to providing educational opportunities for youth in our community. 

Disney has donated $6 million to nonprofit organizations across Florida since the start of its 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Hike With a Ranger
Every Thursday:  10 AM - 11.30 AM

Join a Ranger on a 1.5- mile hike. Water, closed-toe shoes, insect repellant, and sunscreen recommended. Meet at Sand Lake Parking Lot inside Wekiwa Spring State Park. To sign up go to Meet Up Wekiva.

Junior Ranger Club Dates

Thursday, April 6^th 2023,  5p-6:30p

Spiders! (Be Kind to Spiders Week

 Learn about Florida’s Spiders during “Be Kind to Spiders Week.”

Earn a Natural Resources stamp: Learn about the anatomy, diet, and habitats of our spiders.

Note: no activity to print. We will provide materials.

Earn a Recreation stamp: Search for the spiders that call Wekiwa their home.

Earn a Service stamp: Following the activities, join the Ranger for a park clean-up around the pavilion/ parking areas.  

Wednesday, April 12^th 2023, 5p-6:30p

Water Safety

Learn about safe practices for in around water and be prepared for those fast-approaching summer days! We will be meeting in front of the Spring. Please ensure that all children all within eyesight of the adult they came with. (1) Adult per (2) children is required for this activity.   

 Earn a Recreation stamp: On the Waterfront

We will have copies of the activities to share, but if you would like to print your own copy of the activities prior to the program it is available here:

https://www.floridastateparks.org/Junior-Ranger

Earn a Service stamp: Following the activity, we will do a clean-up around the spring. For those that wish to get in the water to help us retrieve the litter from the water, an adult must be responsible for all children who enter the water. Bring your goggles, towels, lifejackets, sun protection, and water. 

Wednesday, May 10^th 2023, 5p-6:30p

Florida Black Bears

Learn about Florida’s Black Bears! Meet at the Sinkhole Pavilion.

Earn a Natural Resources stamp: Learn about the anatomy, diet, and habitats of our Black Bears.

Note: no activity to print. We will provide materials.

Earn a Service stamp: Following the activities, join the Ranger for a park clean-up around the pavilion/ parking areas. 

Saturday, June 1^st 2023, 10am-12pm

National Black Bear Day

Stop by our informal table by the spring to learn more about Florida’s Black Bears and what we can do to help. If you’re a Junior Ranger, bring your passport book to receive a Natural Resources stamp.

Note: During periods of high visitation, visitors may experience long lines to enter Wekiwa Springs State Park. The park frequently reaches capacity and may temporarily close. Closures occur intermittently and may last several hours.

Wednesday, June 7th 2023, 5pm-6:30pm

Intro to Camping

Learn about the different types of camping. June is National Camping Month! Meet at the Sink hole pavilion.    

Earn a Recreation stamp: At the Campsite

We will have copies of the activities to share, but if you would like to print your own copy of the activities prior to the program it is available here:

https://www.floridastateparks.org/Junior-Ranger

Earn a Service stamp: Following the activities, join the Ranger for a park clean-up around the pavilion/ parking areas. 

Friday, July 7th 2023, 5:30pm-7:30pm

ONE YEAR OF JUNIOR RANGER CLUB CELEBRATION

Meet at the Sink Hole Pavilion. We will provide hot dogs and outdoor games. Come celebrate the 1-year birthday of Wekiwa’s Junior Ranger Club! Bring a dish to pass if you wish. New Junior Rangers are always welcome!

As always, buckets and trash grabbers will be provided for those that want to give back to the environment and earn a service stamp.

Ethel was a thriving township at Rock

Springs that has long since disappeared. You can learn more about it by clicking on the 'History of Rock Springs' button above. The Friends of Ethel are working to bring Ethel alive again with a walk back in time. There will be interpretive panels along the way and historic markers at sites of special interest. We plan to reconstruct two 1880s homestead cabins, one to house a small museum and the other to be simply furnished as it would have been then.

We also plan to build a pavilion with picnic tables near the trailhead for visiting school groups and others interested in learning more about this remarkable story.