December 1, 2015

Dear ONE on WUCF Producers:

Digital media has become the center of our childrens lives as todays millennials. Its impacted their education
and learning in a positive light but has put a hold on their social skills and appreciation for the outdoors. Learning about whats going on outside their window is no longer hankering. The Ed Yarborough Nature Center focuses on bringing the excitement of the outdoors back to life, and not just for the young ones. Year-round there
are countless adventures to get involved with including winter break eco adventure camp, guided hikes, courses
about the animals and fishing at the brand new dock. Known for hands on learning and involvement, Ed Yarborough Nature Center is the place for children to get to know the world theyre living in.
The Ed Yarborough Nature Center is an excellent fit for a segment on WUCFs ONE. We think your audience
will be fascinated by the environmental education, hands on activities and the variety of wildlife. The Ed Yarborough Nature Center believes in learning about nature by experiencing it and with 180 acres on site theres always
something for everyone. From dawn to dusk, all ages can experience the indoor living terrariums, look at habitats through a microscopic eye and witness wildlife such as a white-tailed deer, wild turkey and gopher tortoise
in their nature habitat. Previous ONE segments have included encountering with rhinos, zoo mom science
and the Safari Wilderness adventure which all demonstrate learning about animals and wildlife up close. Your
audience looks to you for the places to explore around Central Florida and I think theyd enjoy knowing about
another educational center to connect with nature. The Ed Yarborough Nature Center has so much to offer your
audience including an immense camping ground with full amenities, summer and winter break camps for the
kids, hiking trails and a fishing dock.
We can arrange for exclusive interviews with Ed Yarborough Nature Center employees, including the natural
lands program manager, the program coordinator and a previous camper. We can also plan for a visit to the Ed
Yarborough Nature Center which will provide a great opportunity for unique visuals of children, students and
families exploring the animals and habitats. We can also provide pamphlets about the wildlife, educational
programs and Eco Camps.
Additional press materials about the Ed Yarborough Nature Center are included. Please let us know if there is
any more information we can provide to you for your coverage. Were more than happy to assist you. Thank you
for your time and consideration.
To learn more about the Ed Yarborough Nature Center please visit, http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/locations/
Geneva-Wilderness-Area-And-Ed-Yarborough-Nature-Center.stml. For more information, Program Coordinator Lori Hartsock can be reached at LHartsock@seminolecountyfl.gov or (407)349-0959.
Sincerely,

Alexandra DeCespedes

Franki Giordano

Andrea LaRocca

Jim Duby
Program Manager
Natural Lands & Leisure Services Department
No one knows or cares for the environment and wildlife quite like Jim
Duby. His experience and love for nature makes him perfect for his
position- Natural Lands Program Manager. Though he spends Monday
through Friday in the office at the Ed Yarborough Nature Center, hes
responsible for the planning, development and comprehensive management of over 6,600 acres of Seminole County natural land property. The
Ed Yarborough Nature Center is just one of the nine Seminole County
wilderness areas that Duby manages. His passion for animals and the
outdoors began at a young age. Duby says, I remember staying outside
until the street lights went out and it was time for dinner. His appreciation for wildlife followed him to college where he studied biology at the
University of Central Florida and received his Bachelor of Arts from Rollins College in 1994.
Prior to working for the Seminole County Government, Duby spent 12 years at the Orlando Science
Center caring for the animals, managing the overall operations and coordinating events. In 1993,
Duby started to work for Seminole County where his knowledge and gratitude for the environment
played an important part in creating the Seminole County wilderness areas. Working for the development review division, he reviewed and approved residential and commercial site plans for compliance
with environmental requirements. Duby has led site design projects for several natural areas including
educational facilities, boardwalks and an observation tower. The development and operation of the Ed
Yarborough Nature Center was done by Duby and his team, making it more than just his place of work
but a part of who he is.
The environmental education programs were developed by Duby and in 2001 led to the Eco Camps
which are now full every summer, winter and spring break. Duby continues to help grow and build the
Ed Yarborough Nature Center by initiating the idea of a fishing pier, which is now finished and is home
to all kinds of fish including blue gill and bass. Aside from building and designing, Duby has also
organized the volunteer program which generates 4000 volunteer hours annually.
Outside of the office, Dubys a member of the Florida Wildlife Society, Co-chair of Leadership Seminole and a graduate of Natural Areas Training Academy. Hes also a certified prescribed burn manager
No. 002954. Duby managed to be indoors long enough to meet his wife of 25 years and have two sons.
His hobbies include hiking, herpetology and fitness proving the outdoors will never get enough of Jim
Duby.
Contact Jim Duby at jduby@seminolecountyfl.gov or 386-668-2804.

Lori Hartsock
Program Coordinator
Seminole County Greenways & Natural Lands
Lori Hartsock was born and raised in Tampa, FL and showed early
signs of her interest in being involved in her community and working
with children. Hartsock received her Bachelors Degree in Technical
Education and Industry Training from the University of Central
Florida. This degree falls under the School of Education at UCF, which
will later benefit Hartsock in her future career path. She moved to
Seminole County in 1982 and served on the YMCA Board of
Directors for 14 years while her and her husband raised their two kids.
She also became a substitute teacher in the public school system for nine years, as she loved to
educate children.
These skillsets later transferred to her current position at the Ed Yarborough Nature Center in
Geneva, FL. Hartsock first became a Staff Assistant in addressing the Natural Lands in 2005. She
loved her position, but felt there was more she could do to better the environment. With her passion
for nature and the outdoors, Hartsock accepted the prestigious position in the Ed Yarborough Nature
Center to be the Program Coordinator over the Seminole County Greenways and Natural Lands. She
leads this program by creating educational experiences for children by running a 10 week Eco Camp
over summer, winter and spring break.
As a leader in this role, she has positively impacted the learning and education of students in
Seminole County. Hartsock is also responsible for permitting Seminole County Trails, maintaining
and scheduling the Nature Centers programs and events as well as managing the Memorial Program
for the county. These tasks keep Hartsock hard working as she fulfills everyones needs accordingly.
As a local Florida girl, Hartsock believed it was her duty to make sure natural lands were preserved,
taken care of and explored by those who also share her same passion. Hartsock creates influential
programs for Seminole County Natural Lands such as hikes, special classes, programs and open
houses for the public to enjoy. She also volunteers to visit nearby schools to present information
about the Nature Center programs to children and parents, so that they too may become more
involved to help protect the future of Floridas nature.
Contact Lori Hartsock at lhartsock@seminolecountyfl.gov or 407-349-0959.

Jacob Smith
Student
Jacob Smith is a 14-year-old boy who currently lives in Oviedo, FL
with his family. Jacob was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at the
age of eight. This is a developmental disorder that creates a struggle
to socialize and communicate effectively with others. He remains to be
highly functioning, meaning he has a higher intelligence but
lacks more of common sense. He is a freshman in high school where
he is actively engaged in ROTC and participates in countywide
competitions for his school.
Jacob attended the Wild Winter Wonders Winter Break Eco Camp at the Ed Yarborough Nature
Center in 2012 and had the experience of a lifetime. As a 12 year old he got to go on guided hikes, fish,
set traps and discovered different kinds of animals and plants with hands-on activities. Not only did
he learn about the wildlife around him, he also learned how to socialize better with other children his
age. Jacob worked in groups and participated in scavenger hunts in the woods, which created a unique
opportunity for team building while learning about the lands diverse ecology. The Ed Yarborough
Nature Center provided a special way for him to develop socially outside a classroom and being
outdoors surrounded by nature, created less stressful environment for him to learn.
The expert guides and teachers truly care for each child as they go above and beyond to watch their
students succeed. The camps also have a no phone policy, which creates a more opened and engaged
group of children, as they are not distracted by technology. These interactive camps allow those handicapped children to learn with less peer pressure to fit in with other students, and increases self-esteem
to try new experiences.
Jacob Smith continues today to appreciate the land around him as he enjoys natures wonders, thanks
to the Wild Winter Eco Camp.
Contact Jacob Smith at 407-366-7574.

The History of Ed Yarborough:

A third generation native of Florida, Ed Yarborough was born in 1931 to agricultural and cattle
loving family. At a young age, before big urban cities triumphed over an open range, Yarborough
fell in love with the beauty and nature of an early Florida. Yarborough believed, A proper balance
must be maintained between the environment and the use and the benefits from a working cattle
operation. He served as County Commissioner for eight years, held office in the Seminole County Cattlemans Association and served on various state and local agricultural advisory boards.
The Nature Center:
The nature center displays and exhibits the diverse ecology Central Florida has to offer. Amenities
include nature exhibits and live displays, a meeting room and kitchen facilities.
Mission Statement:
To enhance the quality of life for citizens and visitors by providing excellent parks, recreation,
greenways, natural lands and preservation of heritage for present and future generations.
Activities and Events:
Wild Wonderstation
This station was developed to educate young minds through a variety of games and crafts
that center on nature.
Birds Eye Viewing Station
Equipped with binoculars, a spotting scope and field guides, this station allows visitors to
get an up close look at some of the feathery friends the nature center has on site.
Pond Life Station
Freshwater ponds are home to some diverse creatures. Through the use of microscopes,
this station allows you to observe some of the unique animals that frequently go unnoticed.
Geocaching 101
This event allows nature adventurist to learn about Geocaching and enjoy a game of
hide-and-seek using GPS coordinates for clues.
Hiking Trail
A hike through the nature trails can reward visitors with a view of various animals including:

Grey fox

Gophers

Sandhill cranes

Tortoises

Various types of birds

White-tailed deer

Wild turkey
For more information or questions, please call 407-349-0959 or visit http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/locations/Geneva-Wilderness-Area-And-Ed-Yarborough-Nature-Center.stml.

Overview:
The glory days where children played outside
without a worry in the world, riding bikes and
playing hopscotch, are far behind us. Technologys impact on our young generation is fracturing the core values that once held families
together. Today, the advancement of entertainment technology has happened so rapidly,
that families have yet to notice the substantial
impact to their family structures and lifestyles.
Studies:
Impact of technology on the developing child.
Due to technology overuse, child obesity and diabetes are now national epidemics in both
Canada and the U.S.
Deficiencies associated with technology overuse include ADHD, unintelligible speech, learning
difficulties, depression and sleep disorders.
According to a study done by the Kaiser Foundation in 2010 showed that elementary aged
children use on average 7.5 hours per day of entertainment technology. 75 percent of these
children have TVs in their bedrooms while 50 percent of American homes have the TV on all day.
Factors needed for positive child development
Healthy child development factors include movement, touch, human connection and exposure to
nature.
Studies have shown that nature, not only has a calming influence on children, but also restores attention
and learning abilities.
In order to achieve adequate sensory stimulation, children require 2-3 hours per day of active play.
For more information:
For more information, please visit http://www.zonein.ca.

Visitors can come and meet the animals that reside

in their own backyard.

Beautiful dockside view of the lake.

Visitors can walk through this forest inspired area

to hold and learn about the animals at the nature
center.

Take a look through a microscope at the tiny

undiscovered world that lies in our lake at the
Pond Life Station.

This is a close up view of the tanks that carry the

animals.

Here, visitors of the Nature Center can fish dockside

and enjoy the picturesque view of the lake.

A photo of the very first Nature Center before its

restoration.

Some memorabilia from Ed Yarborough himself.

Known for its diverse wildlife and beautiful environment, the Ed Yarborough Nature
Center strives to educate visitors on the importance of maintaining and preserving our
neighboring wildlife. Their activities and events aim to take young children away from
the everyday distractions of technology and show them the natural wonders of the world
surrounding us.

Jim Duby
Natural Lands Program Manager
jduby@seminolecountyfl.gov
386-668-2804

Lori Hartsock
Program Coordinator
lhartsock2@seminolecountyfl.gov
407-349-0959

Ed Yarborough Center
407-349-0959
3485 North County Rd. 426
Geneva FL, 32732

Jacob Smith
407-366-7574

Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ed-Yarborough-Nature-Center/223648824449024?fref=ts

Franki Giordano
giordano.franki.ucf@knights.ucf.edu
561-866-1190

Alexandra DeCespedes
Alexandradc@knights.ucf.edu
305-798-0069

Andrea LaRocca
laroccaa2012@knights.ucf.edu
407-409-6055