Here’s your chance to be thankful for the great outdoors as St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources continues its guided hikes. These free nature programs allow hikers to learn about native plants, habitats and animals that live in our backyard.
Hikes for November include:
- Friday, November 8, 2019 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Crepuscular Critters Night Hike at Indrio Savannahs Preserve, 5275 Tozour Road, Fort Pierce. Moonlight, critters and woods, oh my! We're looking for and listening to wildlife at dusk as the daylight transitions to night. The "changing of the guard" from daytime to nighttime brings a host of changes to the preserves in terms of which creatures are active and gives us extraordinary moonlit viewing opportunities.
- Saturday, November 9th from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Life after Fire Hike at Bluefield Ranch Preserve, 30501 Bluefield Ranch Road, Port St. Lucie. The county’s last year two prescribed burns and one wildfire occurred at this large western preserve. Experience the recovery process of the plants and animals that thrive in this post-fire ecosystem.
- Sunday, November 10th from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM - In Search of the Gopher Tortoise at Indrio Savannahs Preserve, 5275 Tozour Road, Fort Pierce. Explore the unique and imperiled Florida scrub as we go in search of the humble gopher tortoise. Learn about the threats to this protected species and why conservation efforts are so vital.
- Monday, November 11th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Veteran’s Day Hike at Donald B. Moore Heritage Preserve, 305 Torpey Road, Fort Pierce. Whether you’re new to the area or just visiting, this hike is for you. Hiking a riparian preserve showcases how different Florida can be from everywhere else. Learn about habitats, spoil berms, plants, and wildlife found along the headwaters of the St. Lucie River as a way to commemorate this historic day in American history.
- Thursday, November 14th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Mysterious Mushrooms & Lichens Hike at Walton Scrub Preserve, 10809 Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. A stroll through this sandy high and dry preserve will reveal many of nature's tiny secrets. Keen observers will enjoy looking at a variety of lichens and fungi as well as the opportunity to learn about their interactions with the natural world that surrounds them. Bring along your hand lens to get an up close and personal look.
- Saturday, November 16th from 9:00 AM to noon - Tracking Turkeys Hike at Steven J. Fousek Preserve, 8551 Carlton Road, Port St. Lucie. Thanksgiving is near and wild turkeys are on the run! Explore the western reaches of Stephen J. Fousek Preserve/Hackberry Hammock in search of the strikingly beautiful Florida Osceola Turkeys that are protected within this site.
- Friday, November 22nd from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM - Feathers, Beaks and Feet: Seminar & Hike at Richard E. Becker Preserve, 3398 Selvitz Road, Fort Pierce. Why do birds look so different from one another? Are there environmental reasons, or are they just “pretty?” We’ll explore variations in bird physiology and then venture outside to hike listening for Florida birds in hopes of identifying as many as possible.
- Sunday, November 24th from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Mysteries of the Manatee Paddle at Richard E. Becker Preserve, 3398 Selvitz Road, Fort Pierce. Cooler weather and lots of wildlife are the order of the day as water temperatures are cooling to spur the Florida Manatee’s migration inland toward warmer waters. Join us as we try to catch a glimpse of Florida’s gentle giants and learn more about their plight. 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 772-462-2536 to reserve your space. Reservations are a must.
- Saturday, November 30th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Urban Green Space Hike at Spruce Bluff Preserve, 611 Dar Lane, Port St. Lucie. Wild spaces in urban areas are important for humans, wildlife, the environment, and maintaining the area’s history. Amidst all the development, Spruce Bluff provides a haven that preserves all those things.
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.
