February 16-18, 2024
Experience the magic of Fins, Feathers, and Flowers with our specially curated weekend packages, offering various options for you and your family to connect with nature in an unforgettable way!
All programs are cooperative efforts of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Park Division, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, State Land Division and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Package 1: Premium Weekend Package
- Room Accommodations for Friday and Saturday Nights
- Friday night social to kick start your weekend
- Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffet to fuel your adventures
- Saturday night dinner buffet for a delightful dining experience
- Commemorative event t-shirt (Adult Sizes Only)
- All-encompassing event programming for an immersive experience.
- Select Package 1 Today!
Package 2: Programming Plus Package
- Friday night social to kick start your weekend
- Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffet to fuel your adventures
- Saturday night dinner buffet for a delightful dining experience
- Commemorative event t-shirt (Adult Sizes Only)
- All-encompassing event programming for an immersive experience.
- Adults: $70.00 | Children 5 to 12 years old: $35.00
- Select Package 2 Today!
Package 3: Weekend Programs-Only Pass Options
- Access to all event programming throughout the weekend
- Adults: $25.00 | Children 5 to 12 years old: $12.50
- Buy your passes today!
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
Friday Night
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Conservation Fair - Lodge Lobby
Join us in the Lodge lobby from 4:00 to 6:30 PM for a special opportunity to meet our newest addition, "Tex the Alligator." Tex, originally from Texas, was captured in a legal alligator hunt 30 years ago and was donated to South Carolina Parks. Now residing at Lakepoint State Park, Tex awaits your visit, and you won't want to miss the chance to capture a photo with this remarkable alligator.
Explore individual booths offering insights into various conservation organizations across Alabama during the event.
Gulf State Park Booth: Meet our Southwestern District Naturalist, Kelly, and our Gulf State Park Assistant Naturalist, Hillary. They will be available to answer your nature questions and will be bringing some of their Education Animal Ambassadors for you to meet. Stop by and get your picture taken. Post it on our social media with #FinsFeathersAndFlowersAL.
6:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Social - Magnolia Room
Indulge in hot chocolate, savor warm cookies, and mingle with fellow participants of the Fins, Feathers, and Flowers event.
6:45 PM - Special Presentation: Southeastern Hummingbirds, Fred Bassett
Dive into an exploration of Ruby-throated hummingbirds with Master Bird Bander Fred Bassett. Explore the intricate details of their lives, uncover the surprising presence of western hummingbird species wintering in the Southeast, and witness the captivating process of banding these tiny creatures. Brace yourself for a journey into the extraordinary lives of these delicate flyers – it's "A Lot More Than You Might Think!"
Friday Night Hike - Adventure Under the Stars
Immediately following the Friday Night Special Presentation. Join our Southwest District Naturalist, Kelly for a night hike on the Lakepoint Discovery Trail. We will open a whole new world as you explore the park under the night sky. Keep an open mind and let your sense of wonder take over. Bundle up and wear closed-toed shoes for mostly flat walking on a paved path. Bring your flashlight and a sense of adventure! We will meet at the Activities Building in the campground. Approximately 1 mile.
Saturday
5:30 – 7:00 AM – Field Trip - Houston Unit at USFWS Eufaula Wildlife Refuge
Discover the wonders of the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, spanning 11,184 acres of wetlands, croplands, woodlands, and grasslands. Join us in the lobby for a quick cup of coffee before departing promptly at 5:45 AM on a carpool journey to the refuge. Bundle up, bring your binoculars, and wear closed-toed shoes for a stroll along the flat gravel road at the impoundment. Sunrise is the perfect time to witness ducks awakening and heading to their daytime spots. We’ll be on the lookout for Bald Eagles, various waterfowl, raptors, wading birds, and wintering passerines. It's an early morning adventure you won't want to miss!
7:00 – 8:15 – Breakfast Buffet - Water's Edge Dining Room.
Overnight guests’ buffet tickets are included with package. Day guests may purchase buffet separately.
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Field Trip Block 1 (Choose 1) See descriptions of field trips below.
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Pontoon Boat Tours – Meet at the Dock and board boats.
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Guided Bird Field Trip to Yoholo Micco Trail – Meet your guide in front of the Patio Room, carpooling and drive to location in downtown Eufaula.
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“Watercolor Wonders: Exploring Nature’s Palette” - Magnolia Room
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Open Gates Day – Self Guided, Kennedy Unit, USFWS Eufaula Wildlife Refuge
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Field Trip Block 2 (Choose 1)
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Pontoon Boat Tours – Meet at the Dock and board boats.
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Birding Field Trip to Lakepoint State Park Trail – Meet guide in front of the Patio Room
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“Watercolor Wonders: Exploring Nature’s Palette” - Magnolia Room
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Open Gates Day – Self Guided, Kennedy Unit, USFWS Eufaula Wildlife Refuge
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Recreational Activity – Archery – Meet the WFF Conservation Officers at Lakepoint Community Archery Park for a lesson on the fundamentals of shooting a bow and the sport of archery. Equipment provided. Beginner skill level. Follow signs on the campground road to Archery Park.
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch on your own.
1:15 – 1:50 PM – Program – Reptiles, Amphibians, and Other "Creepy Crawlies"
Presented by Dr. Wesley Anderson – Extension Specialist & Assistant Professor, Wildlife College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment - Dr. Wesley Anderson has always been fascinated by the animals many people like the least. In this presentation, he will discuss reptiles, amphibians, and other “creepy crawlies” like spiders and scorpions. While the focus will be on those audience members can find in Alabama there will be some international examples, as well. The biology of these animals will be discussed with a focus on what makes them so special, along with how to best coexist with them. Special attention will also be paid to invasive species and what you can do to prevent their spread. (Live animals will be present.)
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Field Trip Block 3 (Choose 1)
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Pontoon Boat Tours – Meet at the Dock and board boats.
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Open Gates Day – Self Guided, Kennedy Unit, USFWS Eufaula Wildlife Refuge
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Plant Walk – Edward Lewis, AFC – Meet at Activities Center in Campground – You will be walking along the Discovery Trail.
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Recreational Activity – Archery – Archery Park- Equipment provided. Beginner skill level.
4:00 PM to Sunset – Guided Field Trip – USFWS Eufaula Wildlife Refuge
Meet at parking lot in front of the Lakefront Cabins with vehicle. We will carpool over to the refuge.
4:00 PM to Sunset – Watercolor Wonders: Exploring Nature's Palette- Magnolia Room
Seize this final chance to create your personal watercolor masterpiece to commemorate your experience at Fins, Feathers and Flowers.
5:30 - 7:15 PM - Buffet Dinner in Dining Room
Package holders, present tickets, non-package holders pay at door.
7:30 – 8:30 PM – Keynote Program - A Decade of Bat Conservation
Presented by Nick Sharp, State Bat Biologist and 2023 Biologist of Year, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division- Embark on an engaging exploration of Alabama's bats in our program. Discover their vital role in the state's ecological balance, including pest control. Explore the unique challenges faced by Alabama's bat populations and ongoing conservation efforts. Delve into the diverse biology of Alabama's bats, uncovering their unique adaptations and essential ecosystem services. Conclude with an interactive Q&A session, deepening your understanding of local conservation efforts. Join us in advocating for the conservation of Alabama's bats and their crucial role in the state's delicate ecological balance!
Sunday
7:00 – 8:30 AM – Breakfast Buffet in Dining Room
Package guest tickets are included. Non-Package guest may purchase buffet separately.
9:30 – 11:30 AM – Guided Field Trip to Wehle Conservation Center - Midway, AL
Be sure to check out prior to leaving for this field trip. Meet at Wehle Conservation Center. Wiregrass Birding Trail Stop.
FINS, FEATHERS FLOWERS FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTIONS
Pontoon Boat Tour – Embark on a guided boat tour of Cowikee Creek with our Park naturalists and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Conservation Officers. Don't forget to bundle up, grab your binoculars, and bring a sense of adventure as we explore the waters, seeking out alligators, turtles, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, and various waterfowl. Get ready for a wildlife-filled experience!
Watercolor Wonders: “Exploring Nature’s Palette" - Immerse yourself in a craft where you will make your own watercolor painting to commemorate your Fins, Feathers, and Flowers experience. Capture the beauty of nature with your personalized artwork!
Guided Bird Walk – Yoholo Micco Trail – Join us for a guided bird walk on the Wiregrass Birding Trail, a scenic route covering 3.2 miles through grassy meadows, mixed woodlands, and along the shores of Lake Eufaula. As part of the Eufaula Rails-to-Trails project, now known as Yoholo Micco Trail, named in honor of Creek Chief Yoholo, the trail offers a picturesque journey, including a former railroad bridge and a hidden waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for Ospreys, Chickadees, Common Loons, and common Ground Doves. Don't forget your binoculars and wear closed-toed shoes for a delightful walk through diverse Eufaula habitats.
Guided Bird Walk – Lakepoint State Park – Accompany us on a captivating guided walk through one of the stops on the Wiregrass Birding Trail. This birding adventure promises an exploration of diverse habitats, including the scenic shores of Lake Eufaula, lush grassy meadows, mature pine woodlands, and the intriguing water treatment lagoons. Throughout the journey, participants will have the opportunity to observe nesting Ospreys, wintering shorebirds, Canada Geese, Eastern Meadowlarks, wintering sparrows, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, and Loggerhead Shrikes. The field trip involves carpooling, with designated stops at each habitat for an immersive bird-watching experience. Don't forget to bring your binoculars and wear closed-toed shoes suitable for walking as you delve into the beauty of avian life in these enchanting environments.
For more information regarding the Wiregrass Birding Trail go to https://alabamabirdingtrails.com/trails/wiregrass/
Guided Plant Walk – Lakepoint Discovery Trail – Join Mr. Edward Lewis, Registered Forester; Alabama Forestry Commission. - Take a leisurely stroll through nature's wonders as we explore a variety of native trees and plants. Unearth their unique characteristics, delve into the historical significance of their uses, and discover fascinating trivia along the way. Don't forget to bring your binoculars and wear closed-toed shoes suitable for walking a paved path.
USFWS – Eufaula Wildlife Refuge Open Gates Day – Explore the wonders of the Kennedy Unit at the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge with our once-a-year self-guided tour. This unique opportunity invites you to drive through the captivating marshlands and impoundments, providing a rare glimpse into the heart of this natural haven. As a highlighted stop on the Wiregrass Birding Trail, the tour presents prime birdwatching opportunities. Immerse yourself in the serene landscape and witness diverse wildlife, from alligators, raptors and wintering shorebirds, and waterfowl during the enchanting winter season.
To access the Kennedy Unit from Lakepoint State Park. At US431 turn left heading south. Travel approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left at the white sign before the Liberty Gas Station.
Recreation Activity – Archery - Lakepoint Community Archery Range – Located on Campground Road across from the day-use area. The Lakepoint Community Archery Park is a partnership between the Archery Trade Association and ADCNR’s Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries with funding through license sales and federally matched Pittman-Robertson Act funding. This facility features an 8-target Adult range from 15 to 50 yards and a 4-target youth range from 5 to 20 yards.
Join our WFF Conservation Officers for a fun time learning basic archery. They will teach safety, determining eye dominance, equipment, and the eleven steps to archery success. These basics provide a foundation to support a lifetime of archery enjoyment. All equipment provided.
Sunday Field Trip - Wehle Conservation Center – Midway, AL – A guided birdwatching experience provided by the biologist that manages the Wehle Land Conservation Center. The center is located on 1550 acres of rolling pine hills and hardwood bottoms managed by The Forever Wild Land Trust. This Wiregrass Birding Trail stop has documented over 175 bird species. Among them are the Northern Bobwhite, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-headed Woodpecker, Kentucky Warbler and Bachman’s Sparrow. In addition to the rich birdwatching opportunities, you will also learn about the rich history and admire a charming covered bridge. Be sure to bring your binoculars and wear closed toed shoes for walking.
For more information check out this link https://www.alabamaforeverwild.com/wehle-tract. Maps will be made available. From Eufaula: Travel west on U.S 82 for 16.7 miles. Turn left onto Barbour Co. Rd 49. Travel 4.4 miles and turn right on Mt. Pleasant Rd. Travel 2.7 miles to WLCC entrance.
