Visit the east coast of the state and you will get introduced to a wide variety of creatures and ecosystems. Unfortunately, many of these are threatened now, by things as over hunting, human encroachment and environmental change. To educate people about this wonderful place, an annual space coast wildlife and birding festival is held. These festivals features local writers, sea bird authorities, naturalists, ecologists and other experts who are trying to spread the word on conservation. The next one is already scheduled for January 2007 and it will feature seminars, exhibits and guest speakers. More information can be found at http://www.nbbd.com/fly/. The biggest problem environmentalists face on the space coast is so many threatened animals that often don't get much public attention. That is part of what the festivals try to do; make the forgotten species popular. The gopher tortoise and indigo snake, for instance, are gentle creatures that hurt no one, yet they are highly threatened species due to urban sprawl eliminating their habitats. The area's woodlands forest and scrub habitat also faces danger as humans tear them down to build. The festivals also help to educate about the marine plight. Creatures such as the West Indian Manatee and Right Whale are very endangered. Only 300 Right Whales are alive today and many reside near Florida's east coast waters. Marine plant life also faces extinction, such as the oculina coral reef of the state's coast. The space coast area is beautiful and filled with many diverse species of plant animals, however, it is disappearing quickly. It is vital the space coast wildlife be brought to public attention or Florida may lose it forever.
If you are in town exploring the wildlife, visiting the annual festival or even dreaming of space travel, there are many great hotels to accommodate visitors. Many are located within minutes of the Kennedy Space Center, the beaches and other attractions and they include big name hotel chains like Ramada, Days Inn, and Hilton. The Clarion Hotel is one of these, and it is minutes away from the Space Center and provides excellent accommodations. Another beautiful space coast hotel is the Casa Coquina. This mansion was built in the 1920's and modeled with a European flare. The rooms are different than most hotels and it has a free spirited atmosphere. It's a perfect place to stay after a day of bird watching!
Whether you are visiting the east coast's attractions or the space coast wildlife, Florida's east coast is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Space coast hotels provide comfortable accommodations for your big adventure. So come visit. Educate yourself on Florida's precious ecosystem and wildlife, visit the beautiful beaches or lose yourself in one of the man attractions.