Fall in love with nature as St. Lucie County's Environmental Resources Department continues its weekly educational nature series with nearly a dozen different events to choose from.
These free programs give participants an opportunity to explore some of the 42 miles of hiking trails that are located throughout the county's nearly 11,000 acres of Environmentally Significant Lands.
The February Nature Series includes:
These free programs give participants an opportunity to explore some of the 42 miles of hiking trails that are located throughout the county's nearly 11,000 acres of Environmentally Significant Lands.
The February Nature Series includes:
- Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon – Marine Debris: Impacts and Solutions Hike at DJ Wilcox Preserve, 300 Michigan St., Fort Pierce. Plastics and other marine debris accumulating in our oceans is one of the greatest environmental issues of our time. As we walk along the Indian River Lagoon, learn about the effects of this man-made pollutant and what you can do to really make a difference.
- Sunday, Feb. 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. – Historical St. Lucie Hike at St. Lucie Village Heritage Park, 305 Torpey Road, Fort Pierce. From Native Americans to citrus farming and moonshining, this 75-acre site has been a key part to St. Lucie’s adventurous and wild history. Learn some interesting facts about our local history during a hike through the beautiful hammocks near the Indian River Lagoon. Appropriate for all ages; however, minors must be accompanied by an adult.
- Saturday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Uplands to Lowlands Hike: What a Difference a Few Inches Can Make at Ancient Oaks Preserve/Weldon B. Lewis Park, 4650 Gordy Road, Fort Pierce. Ever wonder why the Florida peninsular is so flat? Where does rain water go, and how does “flatness” help determine which plants and animals will live in certain areas of this preserve? We’ll look at a preserve that has two distinct ecosystems and which floral and faunal species live in those communities and the “border” areas of each.
- Sunday, Feb. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. – Introduction to Paddle Boarding at George LeStrange Preserve, 4911 Ralls Road, Fort Pierce. Missed January’s classes and new to Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)? Then this beginner SUP class is for you! Paddleboarding has become of one of the most popular ways to explore the local waterways and is a great way to get a workout. During this short class, participants will learn all about this sport’s equipment, different beginner paddle strokes, paddleboard safety, and how to safely get onto and off the board. This introductory class or previous paddleboard experience will be a requirement for future St. Lucie County guided paddleboard tours. Paddleboards with ankle leash, paddle, and personal floatation device will be provided to participants at no charge. Reservations are a must as space is limited.
- Monday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon – Creatures of the Scrub Hike at Indrio Savannahs Preserve, 5275 Tozour Road, Fort Pierce. Some of Florida's most unique creatures make their home in the scrub which is an endangered habitat. Enjoy a longer hike to explore the many miles winding through this scrubby environment on the search for scrub jays, gopher tortoises, scrub lizards and some endemic plants along the way.
- Saturday, Feb. 20 from 6:30 to 8 a.m. – Part 1: Sunrise Hike at Ocean Bay Preserve, 7600 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach. This two-part hiking experience can be done together or separately. There’s no better way to start the day than to watch as the world wakes up around you. Take a tour through the sandy dune habitats as we make our way to watch a peaceful sunrise along a beautiful ocean vista. Feel free to bring your camera, binoculars, or just enjoy the moment without extra technology.
- Saturday, Feb. 20 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. – Part 2: Sunset Hike at George LeStrange Preserve, 4911 Ralls Road, Fort Pierce. This two-part hiking experience can be done together or separately. Finish your day enveloped in warm golden rays and a sense of Zen as the sun sets over the lake. This preserve is one of the top spots in St. Lucie County to enjoy sunsets and watch as the wilderness around you changes. Feel free to bring your camera, binoculars, or just enjoy the moment without extra technology.
- Sunday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon – Talking to Trees: How Plants Communicate Hike at Spruce Bluff Preserve, 611 Dar Lane, Port St. Lucie. Many people know that most animal species have well developed warning systems that have aided in the survival of their species for thousands of years, but did you know that plants have their own warning systems? Join us to learn about chemical communication in some of our local plants and trees.
- Sunday, Feb. 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 22 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. – Moonlight Paddle at Richard E. Becker Preserve, 3398 Selvitz Road, Fort Pierce. Enjoy a scenic paddle down the north fork of one of America’s most biodiverse rivers, the St. Lucie River, and travel back in time to Old Florida as we explore green riverbanks, birds, insects and listen for night sounds. Enjoy the sunset and the moonrise as we watch for wildlife to emerge at dusk. Kayaks, US Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices, and paddles provided (you may also provide your own equipment if desired). Please only select one paddle date.
- Sunday, Feb. 28 from 8 to 10 a.m. – Off the Beaten Path Hike at TBA. Discover how land managers decide where to place trails within a preserve. We’ll get a first-hand look on how newly acquired land is transformed into a public preserve and all of the conservation planning that is needed to ensure a preserve has a balance between a healthy ecosystem and visitor enjoyment.
These educational programs are free, but space is limited, so registration is required. For more information and to register, contact the Environmental Resources Department at 772-577-3562; email Thompsonam@stlucieco.org or visit www.stlucieco.gov/erd.
These hikes are geared toward ages 12 and older, unless otherwise noted. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Proper footwear and water are required for all programs. Please leave pets at home.
Purchased through a voter-approved bond referendum, St. Lucie County manages more than two dozen preserves that are open to the public for passive recreation. For a list of all St. Lucie County parks and preserves visit the interactive map at http://gis.stlucieco.gov/parkspreserves.
These hikes are geared toward ages 12 and older, unless otherwise noted. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Proper footwear and water are required for all programs. Please leave pets at home.
Purchased through a voter-approved bond referendum, St. Lucie County manages more than two dozen preserves that are open to the public for passive recreation. For a list of all St. Lucie County parks and preserves visit the interactive map at http://gis.stlucieco.gov/parkspreserves.
