Pine Island Preservation Society, Inc.
History & Heritage
Contact
Description
Tom McFarland, President. 321 454-4165 mcfarland@fit.edu Description: The Pine Island Preservation Society, Inc. is a service organization formed to promote conservation, awareness, historic preservation, and appreciation of the 1000-acre Pine Island Conservaton Area (PICA) and to provide assistance to the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program of Brevard County. A 501(c)(3) organization, it is governed by a Board of Directors who meeting monthly. The Society provides volunteers and raises funds to assist with educational needs. A quarterly newsletter can be viewed at http://www.brevardcounty.us/EELProgram/Areas/PineIsland/Home
The south entrance of the PICA, the Sams House Nature Center, features restored pioneer homes - the Main House and the Cabin, the oldest home in Brevard County. Volunteers and County staff are present Thursday through Sunday from 9 to 5. Phone: 321 449-4720. Address: 6195 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island. Archeological investigations indicate that Native Americans occupied the site 4,500 years ago, and marsh restoration projects uncovered fossilized remains of ice age-era animals. The North entrance to the PICA off of Pine Island Road, visitors enjoy hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and fishing canoeing and kayaking in two ???- acre lakes that also serve as stormwater retention for runoff before being released into the Indian River Lagoon.
Pioneer Day Festival February 7, 2015, from 10 to 4, the 4th Annual Pioneer Day festival will be held at the Sams House and nearby St. Luke's Episcopal Church off of N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island. Activities will include demonstrations, historical societies, crafts, farmers market, childrens games, display of artifacts clothing, folk music, homemade soups and a fish fry. For more information visit www.mipioneerday.com and www.facebook.com/pioneerdaymerrittisland