St. Pete Standard

The City of St. Petersburg's Parks and Recreation Department is set to host the 11th Annual Raptor Fest on Saturday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve located at 1101 Country Club Way S.

This event is free and designed for families, offering attendees a chance to experience raptors up close through live demonstrations of trained raptors in free flight, environmental exhibits, bird walks, and photo opportunities with live birds of prey. There will also be interactive activities available for all ages, along with food and beverages for purchase.

Parking arrangements include only handicap parking at the preserve itself. Additional parking is available at Lake Vista Recreation Center (1401 62nd Ave. S) and Lakewood High School (1400 54th Ave. S), with complimentary shuttle services provided from these locations to the event site.

Raptor Fest aims to support the Birds of Prey program at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. The preserve houses 17 non-releasable raptors that contribute significantly to educational outreach efforts. These birds are cared for by the City of St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department alongside the Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve after being deemed non-releasable by licensed rehabilitators. Annually, Raptor Fest raises over $10,000 to aid in their care while drawing more than 5,000 visitors as well as numerous local vendors and environmental organizations.

For further information about the event or details on adopting a bird of prey, individuals can visit raptorfest.org or contact Boyd Hill Nature Preserve at 727-893-7326.

The St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department holds national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. It manages various facilities including recreation centers, swimming pools, parks, and athletic fields across the city while fostering community engagement through diverse leisure activities.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve spans 245 acres featuring attractions such as the Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center and Birds of Prey aviary among others managed by the department. The preserve offers educational programs suitable for all ages including camps and tours.

The Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve works collaboratively with both the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve itself aiming towards public education promotion alongside natural resource protection within its domain.