Where Wildlife and Wonder Merge in the Heart of Freeport

Staff Reports
February 6, 2026
9:55 am
Emerald Coast, Freeport, South Walton, Walton County, Wildlife

In Brief:

👥 Who: E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, community members, families, supporters
🌙 What: Biophilia Night Hike and Under the Moonlit Pines Gala
📅 When: March 7, 2026, and March 28, 2026
📍 Where: E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, Freeport, Florida
🌱 Why: To celebrate nature, support conservation, and fund environmental education programs

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is inviting the community to step into nature after dark this March with two immersive events designed to celebrate Florida’s wildlife, environmental education, and community connection.

On Saturday, March 7, the Center will host its Biophilia Night Hike, a guided evening experience running from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The family-friendly program offers guests a rare opportunity to explore Florida’s nocturnal ecosystem while learning about native wildlife and conservation efforts.

Participants will journey along scenic trails leading to the Center’s bat house, where native Florida bats can be observed as they emerge at dusk for their nightly insect hunt. Along the way, educational activity stations will showcase nocturnal adaptations, local species, and the importance of protecting natural habitats. Food vendors will be on site, offering refreshments available for purchase throughout the evening.

Admission to the Night Hike is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4 to 12, with VIP access available for E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center members. Guests may also opt into the Fireside Owl Experience, a $5 add-on featuring a close encounter with a native ambassador owl, marshmallow roasting, hot cocoa and coffee, and a kid-friendly craft activity.

Later in the month, the Center will host its signature fundraising event, Under the Moonlit Pines, on Saturday, March 28, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Set among towering pines at the Center’s Freeport campus, the gala celebrates environmental education, biodiversity, and Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.

Guests attending the gala will enjoy live music from the Panama City Youth Orchestra, catered dining, and a live auction featuring unique items, all in support of the Center’s mission. Proceeds benefit hands-on environmental education programs serving more than 6,500 students annually from 56 underserved public schools across the region.

Tickets for Under the Moonlit Pines are $125 each or $880 for a table of eight, with early bird pricing available at $110 per ticket or $860 per table. Space is limited.

Together, these events reflect the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s commitment to fostering biophilia—the innate human connection to nature—while bringing the community together to support conservation and education initiatives across Northwest Florida.

information@eowilsoncenter.org