Make a resolution to spend more time in nature this New Year with help from St. Lucie County’s guided hike program. Led by volunteers and staff from St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department, these free guided hikes explore the more than 11,000 acres of nature preserves that capture and preserve old Florida. There are also guided kayak trips for a small fee.
Topics for January include:
- Monday, January 1, 2024 - Annual New Year’s Day Hike with Eva at D.J. Wilcox Preserve from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and at Donald B. Moore Heritage Preserve from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (minimum age: 12) Join a skilled naturalist for a fun New Year's Day Tradition – the family hike. “First Day Hikes” are part of a nationwide initiative to encourage people to go outdoors. On New Year’s Day, hundreds of free guided hikes are organized in all 50 states. You are invited to savor the beauty of St. Lucie County’s natural resources with the comfort of an experienced guide to take advantage of these local treasures throughout the year.
- Saturday, Jan. 6 - Our Brackish Backyard with Kirk at Donald. B. Moore Heritage Preserve from 8 to 9:30 a.m. (minimum age: 12) Enjoy this beautiful coastal hammock trail that leads to the Indian River Lagoon, while learning about the preserve’s history and the importance of this coastal ecosystem. You will also learn about the lagoon’s aquatic preserves, the spoil islands and the challenging balance between recreation and protection of our coastal resources.
- Sunday, Jan. 7 - A Meditative Morning with Kirk at Sheraton Scrub Preserve from 8 to 9:30 a.m. (minimum age: 12) Sneak away from the hustle and bustle of the work week. This hike will have minimal talking, allowing us to experience nature’s beauty without distraction. Our silence will quiet the mind, as well as promote mindfulness, as we enjoy this walking meditation. At the end of the hike, we will discuss what we noticed in the preserve during our silence, as well as anything that was noticed in ourselves.
- Tuesday, Jan. 9 - New Year on the River: Kayak Tour with Steve at Richard E. Becker Preserve from 9 to 11 a.m. (minimum age: 10) Join a local naturalist for a fun morning of kayaking on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Enjoy fine Florida weather and time on the water with friends old and new. This will be the perfect way to start the new year right. The cost is $20 per person.
- Wednesday, Jan. 10 - Morning River Hike with Jerry at Oxbow Preserve from 8 to 10 a.m. (minimum age: 12) Start your morning with a hike along the North Fork of the St. Lucie. Participants will meander along the through the floodplain forest, winding their way past moss-covered large oaks and ancient slash pines trees to get a glimpse of a historic floodplain that runs alongside this protected river.
- Friday, Jan. 12 - Birder's Morning Hike with Eva at Jones Hammock Preserve from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. (minimum age: 12) It's an all-avian hike along a secluded wetland and river. Adjacent to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, this preserve boasts rich resident and migratory bird life attracted to the river’s bountiful food supply. This hike is sure to impress any passionate birder.
- Saturday, Jan. 13 - Preserve Pals Community Stewardship Day at D. J. Wilcox Preserve from 9 to 11:30 a.m. (minimum age: 6) Do you love our preserves and want to help protect them? Join our Preserve Pals Community Stewardship Days held once a month on a select weekend. This month is at D. J. Wilcox Preserve for a park and trail trash cleanup and maintenance. All equipment will be provided, all ages are welcome. Go from a passive hiker enjoying nature to an active steward protecting nature.
- Saturday, Jan. 13 - Mammals in our Midst with Bill at Sheraton Scrub Preserve from 3 to 5 p.m. (minimum age: 8) Have you ever wondered how raccoons and opossums seem to do so well in the city? How do bobcats and deer, animals that you might think move long distances, manage in urban areas? What other mammals might be living in urban areas that we are not even aware of? Patches of green like this park are a great place to explore the ways in which mammals have adjusted and adapted to urban life.
- Saturday, Jan. 13 - Ultraviolet Night Hike with Eva at Donald B. Moore Heritage Preserve from 6 to 8 p.m. (minimum age: 12) Search for beauty in the dark of night and open a world of enchantment. In darkness, many nocturnal animals sense ultraviolet light sources that humans cannot see. Explore nature at night using ultraviolet flashlights and reveal colors otherwise undetected by human eyes. See a whole new world of otherwise invisible life on this unique, fascinating hike.
- Friday, Jan. 19 - Along the River & Wetland Walk with Eva at Ten Mile Creek Preserve from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Spend the morning on the banks of the St. Lucie River discovering seasonal flowers, bird life and tracks of nighttime visitors. We’ll enjoy the warm and mild rays of the sun as we hike one of the most beautiful preserves in the county. A perfect way to start a day and the weekend.
- Saturday, Jan. 20 - Morning River Paddle with Steve at Richard E. Becker Preserve from 10 a.m. to noon (minimum age: 10) Slip into a kayak and bring the family to listen to melodic bird songs, trilling insects and the occasional splash of a fish in the St. Lucie River. We'll take our time to see and hear the environment around us while we learn about the local ecology and discover the St. Lucie River. The cost is $20 per person.
- Sunday, Jan. 21 - Sunrise Short Hike with Eva at Indrio Scrub Preserve from 7 to 8 a.m. (minimum age: 12) Start your day off right. This hidden gem with a half mile trail that provides a leisurely walk, scrubby upland plant life, iconic cedar trees, butterflies and tracks in the sand. A perfect wild start to any Sunday.
- Monday, Jan. 22 - Kayak Paddling Techniques and Tricks with Steve at Jaycee Park from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (minimum age: 14) If there’s one thing we’ve learned after all these years of experience, it’s that kayaking is more than just a sport. It’s a way to find a bit of adventure and peace, all rolled into one. This special kayak program is for those who are interested in improving their skills, paddling technique and comfort on the water. This class is not for first-time kayakers, you must provide your own boat and equipment, no rentals will be available. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required.
- Wednesday, Jan. 24 - Early St. Lucie Settlement Hike with Jerry at Spruce Bluff Preserve from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (minimum age: 12) The banks of the St. Lucie River were inviting to Native Americans and Florida pioneers. Find out why they chose to settle in this area. We will travel back in time from pre-history to 19th century settlement as we hike the trails of Spruce Bluff Preserve.
- Friday, Jan. 26 - Full Moon Scrubby-scape Hike with Eva at Walton Scrub Preserve from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (minimum age: 12) Nighttime equals quiet time. This scrubby scape of whispering pines, bushy scrub oaks, the stars above and the gentle intercoastal breeze is an ideal nocturnal experience. Bring your curiosity for this upland under the full moon adventure.
- Saturday, Jan. 27 – What’s that habitat? with Bill at Oxbow Preserve from 10 a.m. to noon (minimum age: 10) Hike through the beautiful trails around Oxbow Eco-Center through multiple habitat types. Celebrate Florida’s biodiversity at this beautiful location and learn how different habitats support different forms of animal and plant life. We will discuss the role precipitation, temperature and elevation play in these dynamics.
- Sunday, Jan. 28 - Morning Safari Hike with Eva at Sheraton Scrub Preserve from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. (minimum age: 12) Scrubby uplands are home to specially adapted species. Plants and animals in this habitat reveal a hint of "Old Florida," where saw palmetto, scrub oaks, Florida Scrub-Jays and Eastern Gopher Tortoise call home. Tread sugar sands to see footprints of creatures, large and small, framed by seasonal wildflowers.
- Monday, Jan. 29 – Kayaking for Beginners with Steve at Petravice Family Preserve from 9 to 11:30 a.m. (minimum age: 10) Never paddled a kayak before or not for a while? Come learn basic skills of safe paddling and get the opportunity to practice them on the water. On land, we'll cover safety, how to enter/exit and how to sit on your kayak and paddling strokes before we get on the water to practice in a sheltered cove. Please note this program is half land-based and half on the water. The cost is $20 per person.
Visit www.SLChikes.org for more information and to register. For additional information call 772-462-2536 or email slchikes@stlucieco.org. Nature hikes and family programs are free, reservations are required and space is limited. There are various topics, locations and distances all designed for different ages and abilities.
Purchased through a voter-approved bond referendum, St. Lucie County manages more than two dozen preserves on more than 11,000 acres that are open to the public for passive recreation. For more information about St. Lucie County’s Environmentally Significant Lands visit: www.stluciepreserves.com.
