On Saturday March 20th 2010 The Friends of Lake Louisa State Park celebrated the first day of spring with the “Spring Fling Obstacle Trail Challenge”. Approximately 100 riders and their horses negotiated 10 challenging obstacles set out over six miles of the park’s equestrian trails. The competitors did an outstanding job. The group was divided into four divisions, Senior, Adult, Junior, and Youth.
This year to add to the fun we also held a Lead Line challenge which tested the competitor’s horsemanship skills on the ground.

The event was a wonderful success which raised money to help support Lake Louisa State Park. We could not have done it without the help of the many volunteers and sponsors. Our gracious sponsors this year included:

• All Care Animal Hospital
• Ballesteros Dental
• Bank First
• Bogin, Munns and Munns
• Central Florida Hay Exchange
• Clermont Equestrian
• Florida Equine Veterinary Services
• South Lake Hospital
• Territo Electric
• Winn Dixie.

Thank you to all who attended and all who helped make the event possible.

And here are the Winners!

Senior Division
Rank	Name
1st	Aggie Myoski
2nd	Bess Wall
3rd	Kay Miller
4th	Kathy Grinstead
5th	Lynn Comstock
6th	T.J. Clibborn

Adult Division
Rank	Name
1st	Beverly Hartley
2nd	Pamela  on Diamond
3rd	Stacey Helsel
4th	Darrell Hensley
5th	Nicole Benitz
6th	Tammy Herrera

Junior Division
Rank	Name
1st	Lauren Wheatley
2nd	Rosebud Osteen
3rd	Morgan Purvis
4th	Cody Shifflett
5th	Chelsea Smith
6th	Abbey Vanwagner

Youth Division
Rankk	Name
1st	Tryst Wheeler
2nd	Brianne Downs
3rd	Morgan Skrabalak
4th	Brooke Heldreth
5th	Delana Wheeler
6th	Dominique Paine

Lead Line Challenge
Rank	Name
1st	Tammy Herrera
2nd	Marly Brooks
3rd	Nancy Slatter
4th	Glenda Eldridge
5th	Pam Hensely
6th	Linda Proud

Nature Fest is a family-oriented, nature friendly event designed to create awareness about outdoor recreation and Florida’s environment and ecosystems, as well as the plants, animals, and history that are a part of them.  This annual event at the park is designed to provide visitors the opportunity to learn more about the importance of our natural resources and wildlife, how to safely view the natural world up close, “green” alternatives offered by local businesses and organizations, as well as what individuals can do to make a difference that will benefit the natural world while at the same time benefiting their own physical and financial health.

The day’s activities and events will include guided nature walks for all ages, including discovery treks and butterfly walks, “Trucking the Trails”, beginning and moderate birding, and photographing nature.  Also included at Nature Fest are a variety of children’s activities as well as live bat and bird of prey presentations.  Refreshments will also be available for purchase at Nature Fest.

Pre-event adult-only (16 year-old age minimum) 2-hour guided bird and photographing nature walks will begin at 8:00am.  Both walks require pre-registration.  Space is limited, so please call 352-394-3969 to register (registration is on a first-call, first served basis and will close at 5:00pm on Friday, May 14, 2010).

Guided walks for all ages will be held throughout the day.  Sign-up will begin at 10:00am the day of the event.  Times for walks, talks, and rides are as follows (times and events subject to change):

10:15    Discovery Trek
10:20    Beginner Birding
10:25    Moderate Birding
10:30    Butterflies (ADA accessible)
10:40    Photographing Nature
11:00    “Truck the Trail”
11:30    Bat Chat
12:00    Discovery Trek
12:10    Beginner Birding
12:15    Moderate Birding
12:20    Butterflies (ADA accessible)
12:25    Photographing Nature
1:00    Bat Chat

Admission to Nature Fest is included in the regular park admission fee of $5 per vehicle (up to 8 people per vehicle, with each additional person incurring a fee of $2).  CLICK HERE for directions to Lake Louisa State Park.

How Owl Cats are made	Butterfly Education
The importance of Rattlesnakes	LLSP NatureFest 2009
Birdwatching with Mike	LLSP NatureFest 2009
LLSP NatureFest 2009	LLSP NatureFest 2009
LLSP NatureFest 2009	LLSP NatureFest 2009