Everglades offering free weekly programs to visitors

Everglades National Park is offering free weekly programs for visitors during South Florida’s dry season.

The park offers 85 weekly ranger-led programs ranging from nature walks and full-moon bike tours in Shark Valley to canoe trips in Flamingo.

Every year, tens of thousands of people participate these programs.

“The programs are led by skilled, educated rangers who are able to communicate the park experience to visitors in a way that’s engaging,” said Mary Plumb, a public affairs specialist with Everglades and Dry Tortugas national parks. “People schedule their vacations so they can participate in the ranger-led programs.”

The programs began this week. Programs in Royal Palm and Flamingo end in March, and programs in Shark Valley and the Gulf Coast end in April.

Some programs require reservations, and schedules may change during the season. For a complete list of programs and schedules, visit the park website. For more information, call 305-242-7700.

This story was originally published December 24, 2014 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Everglades offering free weekly programs to visitors."