St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources staff is once again offering tourists and residents the opportunity to discover Old Florida with its winter guided hikes series. These free guided nature programs allow hikers to focus on native plants, butterflies and animals that live in our backyard.
Hikes for October include:
- Sunday, October 13, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Sunset to Moon Hike at the Steven J. Fousek Preserve, 8551 Carlton Road, Port St. Lucie. Watch the sunset and the moonrise on the beautiful hammocks and wetlands. As darkness falls on the preserve, nocturnal animals venture out for a night of hunting and adventure.
- Wednesday, October 16th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM: Twice as Nice Lake Hike at George LeStrange Preserve, 4911 Ralls Road, Fort Pierce. This beautiful lake-view hike is so nice; we’ll do it twice. Each trip around the lake is a mile in length and this fitness hike will ensure you get your steps in for the day. Along the way, we’ll also look at the different plant communities that call this preserve home.
- Saturday, October 18th from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM: Hurricane Disaster Relief for Birds Hike at Ocean Bay Preserve, 7600 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach. Learn about the post-Dorian conditions at this beach preserve, what is expected after a major storm and how to help birds facing future Florida hurricanes. We relate beach and coastal hammock conditions to other peninsula habitats, preparing hikers to observe and assist local birdlife before, during and after a habitat-altering storm.
- Sunday, October 20th from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Two-for-One Fitness Hike at Indrio Scrub, 4400 Old Dixie Highway, Fort Pierce, and D.J. Wilcox Preserve, 390 Wilcox Road, Fort Pierce. We'll start by hiking a short loop around Indrio Scrub with an option to also walk the inner loop at D.J. Wilcox Preserve. Participants can participate in one or both portions of this adventure. The total length of this hike will be less than three miles.
- Saturday, October 26th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM: Ultra-violet Vision: Colors through Animal Eyes Night Hike at Walton Scrub Preserve, 10809 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. Humans have excellent eyesight, but other animals can see things we cannot. Learn about light waves perceived by animal eyes and the importance of color in nature. During this night hike, we will be using ultraviolet lights to see a "new side" of plants, insects and more.
- Monday, October 28th from 9:00 AM to Noon: Adventure into the Hidden Oxbows Kayak Tour at White City Park to Oxbow Preserve, 2081 W. Midway Road, Fort Pierce. Explore the history and beauty of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River through the hidden oxbows that were once part of the River’s historical flow-ways. Be sure to bring your lunch for a scenic picnic along the water’s edge. Appropriate for ages 14 and older. Kayaks, U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices and paddles provided (you may also bring your own equipment if desired). The cost is $15 per person. No online registration, please call 772-462-2526 to reserve your space. Reservations are a must.
- Thursday October 31st at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Spook-tacular Shapeshifters Night Hike at Citrus Hammock Preserve, 6511 SE Citrus Ave. Fort Pierce. Night-time sounds have both fascinated and scared humans over the ages. Animals rustling in the bushes and calling in the darkness will be our Halloween treat as we watch and listen for nocturnal wildlife activity at this fabulous preserve with an active pond. Calling birds, amphibians, insects and mammals will greet us, revealing the site’s tricks and treats.
For more information and to find the link for registration, please visit www.slchikes.org, call 772-462-2526 or email slchikes@stlucieco.org.
Programs are usually limited to 15 people helping to allow participants to immerse themselves into the county’s beautiful natural areas. Programs target ages 12 and older unless otherwise noted. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Proper footwear and water are required for all programs and 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 more information about St. Lucie County’s Environmentally Significant Lands visit: www.stlucieco.gov/erd. For a list of all St. Lucie County parks and preserves visit the interactive map at http://gis.stlucieco.gov/parkspreserves.
