Celebrate Earth Day—or enjoy a wild trip any time of the year—with an eco-friendly vacation you can feel good about in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach. As an ecotourism destination, the area is full of parks and preserves, dedicated bike and walking paths, wildlife-filled waterways, and people who work to preserve these natural treasures.
Eco-Friendly Outdoor Activities and Events
The Barrier Island Parks Society invited everyone to the Englewood Earth Day Festival at the Buchan Airport Community Park to celebrate sustainability with eco-friendly crafts, plant sales, live music, and more.
The Earth Day Walkabout and Brunch with the Peace River Audubon Society explored Larry Taylor Kiwanis Park, then topped off with a trip to Panera for brunch!
Both Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center locations, Cedar Point Environmental Park in Englewood, and Alligator Creek in Punta Gorda, had their annual Earth Day Celebrations. These free, family-friendly events featured live animals, guided walks, activities, plant giveaways, food, and more!
Speaking of live animals, Prana Farms Earth Day is always nature-centric!. Admission included access to the interactive butterfly exhibit, a petting zoo, bounce houses, games, the Treat Barn, and more.
Our many protected natural areas means thriving biodiversity in picturesque settings. In fact, our area is one of the very few habitats in which rare Florida scrub-jays thrive, alongside countless other species, so Birding in the area is excellent.
Other environmentally-friendly activities include eco-tours of all kinds, including guided wading trips and a fun bus ride through four distinct ecosystems. And don't miss out on nature hikes, paddling adventures, and so much more. Even better, any eco-tour, whether on land or on the water, is likely to be led by a Florida Master Naturalist who will teach you about the ecosystem while you’re enjoying it.
You can even explore the entirety of Punta Gorda on a free loaner bicycle, the ultimate carbon-neutral transportation option.
State Parks and Preserves
With several State Parks and many local parks and preserves in the area, tranquility and wonder are never far away. Explore all manner of wild nature, both the deep green wonder of our lands and the waterful wonders of our 200 miles of Blueway Trails to Charlotte Harbor itself, the second-largest estuary in Florida.
Sustainability
Environmental stewardship is the name of the game around here, from our Florida Friendly Fishing Guides to several eco-conservancies and wildlife sanctuaries.
The area is even home to the nation’s first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch.
Learn more about sustainable travel in this blog post: Why Conservation is Important in Florida and How to Have a Sustainable Vacation.
Water Wonderland
Catch a glimpse of our gorgeous waterways in this video:
