from Ann Schnapf

The new Audubon Resource Center at Lettuce Lake Park in Hillsborough County, Florida, opened in late April. Tampa Audubon is nicknaming it the "ARC in the Park".

The Center is in the park's visitor center, which has been closed for nearly ten years due to budget constraints. The County offered the building to Tampa Audubon to operate an Audubon Resource Center there for free. With the help of Tampa Electric, CF Industries, Cargill Fertilizer, Wildbirds Unlimited, Speedline Athletic Wear, and Florida Audubon, the ARC has been able to open with three staff members and a small gift shop. Field trips through the park are offered, and a series of special events and programs is being developed. Volunteers are being recruited to help with school group field trips already scheduled.

The director is Ged Caddick, former president of Tampa AS, and a biologist who also leads trips for Special Expeditions. Store manager Pat Simms is an employee of Tampa Electric on loan to the ARC for 6 months; Pat manages the TECO Manatee Viewing Center, which hosts thousands of visitors each year. The third staff person is Ray Webb, Tampa Audubon field trip chair, who is very familiar with the park and its wildlife.

For More Info, Contact: Ged Caddick, ARC director, ph: 813/983-0258; FAX: 813/983-0475.