Join ACT for the second annual Pride at Prairie Creek! An outdoor celebration of the LGBTQ+ community for family, friends, and allies to come together and enjoy a day at Prairie Creek Preserve.
Join us on guided hikes, watch live wildlife demonstrations, learn about the conservation and queer inclusivity work being done in our community from the organizations themselves, shop local vendors, and enter a drawing of chance for some REI Pride goodies and more!
Featuring musical performances from Clay Dixon and the Picadillies and Patchwork, food from EIM Thai and Feliz Flavors, and drinks from First Magnitude Brewing Company and Opus Coffee!
RSVP for the Early Bird Pride Banding with Alachua Audubon by emailing info@alachuaconservationtrust.org
Please bring blankets and seating to sit out and enjoy the musical performances.
DRAWING OF CHANCE
All proceeds from the drawing of chance will go to the Pride Center of North Central Florida.
*This drawing of chance is hosted by Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT), 7204 SE County Road 234, Gainesville, FL 32641. Donations of $5 per entry or $20 for five entries are suggested. No purchase necessary. Winners will be randomly selected on October 16th, 2022 at 2:30pm EST at Prairie Creek Lodge.
WHEN
Sunday, October 16
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
WHERE
Prairie Creek Lodge
7204 SE County Road 234
Gainesville, FL 32641
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Alachua Conservation Trust by phone: (352) 373-1078 or email: info@AlachuaConservationTrust.org
ABOUT LAST YEAR’S EVENT
On Oct. 24, 2021, Alachua Conservation Trust hosted its first celebration of Pride at Prairie Creek, where LGBTQ+ community members and conservation organizations came together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. It was a beautiful sunny day, slightly cooled with the first cold fronts of the Florida fall. The event began with early birders meeting to band and track birds on Prairie Creek Preserve with Alachua Audubon at the Prairie Creek Banding Lab. Main event goers started arriving at noon to learn and talk about the amazing work being done by our 12 wonderful partnering organizations both from the LGBTQ+ community and conservation. Tours of Prairie Creek Preserve, the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, and a native flower planting were among the activities enjoyed by attendees. Those not on tours enjoyed food from the EIM Thai food truck and lounged in the grass, soaking in the joy of the gathering. The event closed with incredible performances by Clay Dixon and the Picadillies and the Front Porch Backsteppers, whose tunes matched the celebratory energy of the day.
For ACT, Pride at Prairie Creek was an opportunity to celebrate and actively show the community that we are committed to creating safe spaces in nature for all in our community. In order to best serve our community, we are identifying the part we play in perpetuating issues of inequity and starting a dialogue with our community on how we can break down barriers of access to our preserves, events, and organizations. ACT is excited to continue the work to create safe and accessible outdoor spaces for everyone in our community to enjoy!
“Pride at Prairie Creek was a tremendous opportunity to connect with younger and diverse conservation-minded people, many of whom knew little about Ocklawaha River restoration. I applaud ACT for creating this new and innovative event.”
-Margaret Spontak, Chair (she/her)
Free the Ocklawaha River Coalition for Everyone
"I had so much fun playing music at Pride at Prairie Creek. Something about sharing a good time with beautiful people in the grand outdoors gave me a sense that what I'm doing is important and appreciated. One thing is for sure: I'll be back next year for the positive vibes alone!"
-Clay Dixon (he/him), Clay Dixon and the Picadillies
“I loved the opportunity to connect w the queer community in this context. Sometimes queerness feels like it needs to be kept secret in these spaces, so to have the opportunity to see other people in the community with the same interests and values was really wonderful.”
-Maddie Bonahue (she/her), Pride Attendee
“I personally felt very privileged to be able to participate in ACT's Pride event. We have a history of being a great host at events focused on getting folks outdoors and into our preserves. To be able to specifically celebrate this community, friends, families and allies, on such a beautiful day in one of our preserves, was truly exhilarating and joyful.”
-Erica Hernandez (she/her), ACT Staff
“Pride at Prairie Creek was a truly incredible example of how crucial it is to host intentional spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and reminder that there is a place for each of us in environmentalism and nature as a whole!! While tabling for ACT, I got to speak with so many guests who shared beautiful stories and similar feelings of excitement and belonging.”
-Jess Moses (she/they), ACT Outreach Intern
“It was such a pleasure assisting however and whenever I could for the Pride at Prairie Creek event. Creating spaces for others in or outside the LGBTQIA community to enjoy some downtime in nature amongst like minded individuals is beneficial in so many ways. Thank you Alachua Conservation Trust!”
-Kane Barr (he/him/they/them), Pride Community Center of North Central Florida (PCCNCF) Secretary
