Fair Oaks Foundation, Inc.

03/01/2026

What a beautiful day it was. 🌿

Thank you to everyone who attended and made this event so special. Seeing our community gather together, learn, explore, and enjoy the experience was truly meaningful.

We are incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers who gave their time, energy, and hearts to make everything run smoothly. Events like this simply would not be possible without your dedication.

To our speakers, partners, and supporters — thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion. And to every guest who walked through the gates, purchased a ticket, invited a friend, or simply showed up with curiosity — we appreciate you more than you know.

The Fair Oaks Foundation community continues to grow because of people like you.

Until next time 💚

02/27/2026

🌿✨ Reminder: Our Event Is Tomorrow! ✨🌿

We know it’s looking a little gloomy today… but don’t let that fool you. Tomorrow’s forecast is looking just fine, and we’re expecting a beautiful day to gather together.

A little cloud cover never stopped a great event — and it might even make for the perfect comfortable weather to enjoy everything we have planned.

Join us tomorrow for a wonderful time filled with community, nature, and fun. We can’t wait to see you there! 🐦🌸

Come ready to enjoy the day — rain or shine, it’s going to be a good one.

02/26/2026

For all the bird lovers and curious kids out there 🐦

We found this amazing interactive website where you can explore real bird sightings from around the world. It turns science and data into something visual and beautiful.

Zoom in. Search species. Watch migration patterns unfold.

Such a fun way to learn together.

Explore it here:

An interactive story about the birds that capture our curiosity, told through data, visuals and illustrations

02/24/2026

This Saturday.
Blooms · Birds · Bonsai

Join us at Fair Oaks Foundation for a beautiful afternoon celebrating art, nature, and community.

🗓 Saturday, February 28
🕚 11AM–4PM
📍 Fair Oaks, Evinston, FL

Explore stunning blooms, fascinating birds, and the timeless beauty of bonsai — all in one historic setting.

We would love to see you there.

02/13/2026

🏡 Historic House Tours at Fair Oaks 🏡

Step inside the historic Fair Oaks house and experience a piece of North Florida’s past through guided house tours offered throughout the day. These tours invite guests to explore the architecture, history, and stories connected to the property and the people who once lived there.

The house may predate 1879 and once served as the guest house to a larger antebellum mansion overlooking Clearwater Lake. While the original mansion was lost to fire around 1900, the remaining home and grounds continue to reflect the area’s rich cultural and environmental history.

House tours offer a quiet, thoughtful pause during the event—perfect for history lovers, curious visitors, and anyone who enjoys learning how place and time shape a landscape.

📌 February 28
📍 Fair Oaks
🔗 https://fairoaksfoundation.org/blooms-birds-bonsai/

02/12/2026

🌱 Bonsai Demonstration 🌱

Experience the art of bonsai at Fair Oaks during a live Bonsai Demonstration led by David VanBuskirk.

This demonstration offers a look at the techniques, patience, and artistry involved in shaping living trees. Whether you’re new to bonsai or simply enjoy learning about plants and design, it’s a fascinating way to see horticulture and art come together.

📌 February 28
📍 Fair Oaks
🔗 https://fairoaksfoundation.org/blooms-birds-bonsai/

02/12/2026

Join the world in connecting to birds February 13–16, 2026!

The Global Bird Count is a worldwide celebration of birds and community science. For four days, people everywhere step outside, look up, and count the birds they see. Every observation helps scientists better understand bird populations and migration patterns.

And here in Alachua County, Florida, bird activity is incredible — today alone, 221 species were spotted! Imagine what we can discover together during the count.

🌎 Why participate?

Contribute to real scientific research

Connect with nature in your own backyard

Learn about local and migratory birds

Join a global community of bird lovers

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for families & kids

Turn it into a backyard bird scavenger hunt

Bring binoculars and a simple checklist

Join a local bird walk

Compare species counts with friends

Want to find out how to participate, join a group, or explore fun ways to involve kids?

👉 Get all the details here:
https://www.birdcount.org/participate/

Let’s see how many species Alachua County can add during the Global Bird Count! 🐦✨

Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds. Simply watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days and tell us what you see!

02/11/2026

🌿 Native Plant Talk 🌿

Join us at Fair Oaks for a Native Plant Talk focused on Florida’s unique plant ecosystems and their importance to local wildlife and landscapes.

Led by Mark Elliott, this talk explores how native plants support biodiversity, thrive in Florida’s environment, and play a key role in conservation. It’s a great opportunity for gardeners, land stewards, and nature lovers to deepen their understanding of plants that truly belong here.

📌 February 28
📍 Fair Oaks
🔗 https://fairoaksfoundation.org/blooms-birds-bonsai/

02/10/2026

🦉 Bird Watching Walks 🦉

Join us for guided bird watching walks at Fair Oaks, led throughout the day by Tonya Becker of the Alachua Audubon Society.

These walks offer a chance to observe local bird species in their natural habitats while learning more about identification, behavior, and conservation. Whether you’re new to birding or a seasoned enthusiast, the walks are designed to be relaxed, informative, and enjoyable for all ages.

Binoculars encouraged, curiosity required.

📌 February 28
📍 Fair Oaks (7726 SE 179th Place | Evinston, FL 32667)
🔗 https://fairoaksfoundation.org/blooms-birds-bonsai/

02/09/2026

🎨 Fine Art Sale Spotlight 🎨

We’re excited to feature a Fine Art Sale showcasing the work of four talented artists at Fair Oaks:

• Linda Blondheim
• Michelle Nagri
• Ronda Richley
• Mary Jane Volkmann

Guests will have the opportunity to view and purchase original artwork inspired by nature, place, and personal expression while enjoying a day filled with tours, talks, and outdoor experiences.

Whether you’re a longtime collector or simply enjoy discovering local art, the Fine Art Sale is a highlight of the event.

📌 February 28
📍 Fair Oaks
🔗 https://fairoaksfoundation.org/blooms-birds-bonsai/

02/05/2026

🌱 Speaker Spotlight 🌱

We’re excited to welcome David VanBuskirk as a guest speaker at our upcoming event!

David is a lifelong Florida plantsman and bonsai artist with decades of hands-on experience cultivating and shaping a wide range of species. As the owner of D&L Nursery, he will share insights into plants and the art of bonsai, drawing from years of study, practice, and close observation of how trees grow and respond in nature.

His talk offers a fascinating look at the balance between horticulture, patience, and artistry—and is sure to inspire both plant lovers and curious beginners.

📌 February 28
📍 Fair Oaks
🔗 https://fairoaksfoundation.org/blooms-birds-bonsai/