Archbold Biological Center and Highland Hammock State Park

This information and more can be found on the Archbold Biological Station web site and you tube channel

Payment is required with reservations not just on Meetup!

Finally, after years of waiting for an opportunity to visit this special unique facility we will take a guided tour of Florida's premier facility for the field studies of Ecology, Conservation and Biology!

What is the History-
With the transfer of the Red Hill Estate, Richard founded Archbold Biological Station on July 21, 1941. In 1973 Richard Archbold purchased 2,823 acres of undeveloped land on the western boundary of the Station, where reptile, mammal, and scrub-jay studies began.

What is the mission of the Archbold Biological Station?
We help protect the rarest plants, animals, and ecosystems in the heart of Florida and beyond. We conserve natural and working grasslands through pioneering sustainability and conservation science.

Field Station Guided Overview Tour

• This guided tour includes a little of everything: history, science, green-building
  design, and nature. Participants tour our campus of historic 1930’s buildings, visit
  an ecology research lab, view part of our natural history research collections,
  explore the green-design features of our Learning Center, and enjoy a short hike
  into the Florida scrub.

11 th Generation Lightsey Ranch Family Member on Conservation

Highland Hammock State Park is one of the 4 original State Parks and has an interesting Display about the CCC project that helped create it as a park.
Take a journey back in time to an ancient hammock, and discover endangered species and beautifully delicate ecosystems

Highlands Hammock State Park is located on the western edge of Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands and Hardee Counties in Florida. It is noted for having a greater number of rare and endemic species than any other park in the state. During the Paleolithic Era the park lands were the habitat of mastodons, saber-toothed tigers, giant ground sloths and tortoises. Indeed, mastodon tusks and a giant tortoise shell were discovered in the park in the 1930s. While the tusks were lost due to improper conservation techniques, the tortoise shell is preserved in the current park store. A look at the WPA-era mural in the Sebring Library, “Prehistoric Florida” by renowned artist Charles Knight, shows a landscape of moss-covered sand live oaks and palms that is eerily similar to areas in today’s park.

This tour will also include a visit to some large murals in the area and a stop in Avon Park.
Leave Suntree Red Ginger at 7:30am and Palm Bay Road Walmart Murphy's Gas Station at 8am with an 8pm return!
Members $85 Guests $90 including Transportation, Sightseeing and a guided tour of the Archbold center.

RESERVATION FORM: Reservations are on a request basis until payment is received. Please place your reservations and make checks payable to Florida Greeters, Inc. and mail to: 6300 North Wickham Road, # 130-222 Melbourne, FL 32940 or credit card by Phone (321)259-6300 Internet: www.dayawaytravelclub.com E-mail: [email protected]

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Tour Name _________ e-mail address: ______________Pick up point: ______
Rates Includes: Transportation aboard Mini Bus according to group size, admissions, tour guide, &gratuities. Cancellations: This trip is non-refundable. No refund for unused portions or cancellations. Separate Conditions apply to Multi Day Trips according to trip flyer or brochure. All prices and itineraries are subject to change based upon availability.