MEDIA ADVISORY: Sept. 29, 2014 CONTACT: Sandra Chafin, 850-229-1787, Sandra.Chafin@dep.state.fl.us ST. JOSEPH BAY STATE BUFFER PRESERVE HOSTS BAY DAY CELEBRATION ~Participate in outdoor, family friendly activities highlighting the bay~ PORT ST. JOE – Experience the natural beauty of the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve at the Bay Day celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. The day’s events include tram tours through the heart of the preserve, shoreline and kayak excursions, birding and nature walks, and a traditional low country boil. To kick off the Bay Day celebration, a free, educational astronomy night presentation and star-gazing walk will be offered on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Guests have an opportunity to learn fascinating facts and scientific principles about the planets and constellations. After the astronomy presentation, there will be a star-gazing walk. Participants are encouraged to bring their own telescopes, but one will also be provided for all guests’ viewing enjoyment. This two-mile, round-trip walk is on mild terrain and is especially suited for families with children. Participants in the star-gazing walk are required to sign-up at the visitor’s center prior to the event. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight, bug spray and wear comfortable shoes. On Saturday evening, guests can learn about the history of the bay while taking a sunset cruise aboard a 60-foot, 44 passenger boat. The cruise departs 30 minutes before sunset. Registration is required and tickets are $25 per person.   “This event just keeps getting better and better,” said Dylan Shoemaker, preserve manager. “Each year, we add more opportunities for those attending to enjoy the incredible natural resource of the state buffer preserve and the bay.” The St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve was established in 1995 to protect the surrounding uplands for preservation of the bay’s pristine natural resources and water quality. WHAT:     Bay Day Celebration WHEN:     Friday, Oct 3, 2014                  7 – 10 p.m.                      Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014                  8 a.m. – 2 p.m. WHERE:  St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Visitor’s Center                  3915 State Road 30-A                  Port St. Joe, Florida 32456                  www.stjosephbaypreserves.org About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us. http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/d04fe1

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