This sweepstakes ended on October 31, 2007. Please check out all of the other sweepstakes on the site – and back here again in Spring 2008 – for an exciting new Organic Wild Puffs Sweepstakes!

 

SWIM WITH THE MANATEES AND A WILDLIFE NATURALIST IN FLORIDA’S CRYSTAL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE!

Barbara’s celebrates its unique partnership with the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) by offering an amazing manatee adventure vacation for four at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Crystal River, Florida.

Barbara’s is proud to be a supporter of the NWRA, the only non-profit organization devoted to preserving and enhancing America’s precious 545 national wildlife refuges, and to feature the NWRA’s work on our Organic Wild Puffs cereal boxes.

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, just north of St. Petersburg, Florida, was established in 1983 specifically to protect the endangered West Indian Manatee. This unique refuge preserves the last unspoiled and undeveloped habitat in Kings Bay, which forms the headwaters of the Crystal River. The refuge preserves the warm water spring havens that provide critical habitat for the manatee populations that migrate there each winter. They represent about 25 percent of the nation’s total endangered Florida manatee population.

On your exclusive tour, you will learn about the many programs set in place to protect these gentle creatures and how the local National Wildlife Refuge Association Friends group affiliate plays a vital role in the continuing success of the refuge. Swim and snorkel in crystal-clear, 72-degree warm spring water amidst the 20 islands surrounded by the spring-fed waters of Kings Bay. An amazing 600 million gallons of fresh water flow into Crystal Springs every day!

Your Barbara’s adventure for four starts at the stately
Plantation Inn & Golf Resort in Crystal River, where you will meet with a refuge naturalist for an exclusive guided manatee snorkeling and swimming adventure at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

How much of an adventure are you up for? Only Barbara’s can offer you this once-in-a-lifetime adventure due its long-time support of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, and its vital work to protect, enhance, and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System – lands and waters set aside by the American people to protect our country’s diverse wildlife heritage.