Panhandle Outdoors LIVE! Guided Field Excursions throughout NW Florida. Jan-Nov 2012.

[Teresa]

Panhandle Outdoors LIVE!
The Natural Resource Extension Agents of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) present Panhandle Outdoors LIVE, a series of guided field excursions highlighting unique ecological features throughout northwest Florida. All excursion sites are special places, most are protected, many are unique in the Southeast US, and some have global significance. The Florida Panhandle boasts a diversity of landscape features resulting from uncommon combinations of underlying rock, elevation, groundwater and surface waters. This diversity of water-dominated landscape features has allowed hotspots of high biodiversity to evolve and flourish here. How familiar are you with these world-renowned natural resources right here in our own backyard?

Trips begin in January 2012 and run monthly through November 2012. Participants can choose to attend as many or as few of the individual events as they wish.
The expedition schedule is as follows:


January 18: Leon Sinks & Wakulla Springs
February 16: Florida Caverns & Falling Waters
March 15: Eglin AFB Seepage Slopes and Fire Ecology
April 4: Bear Creek Educational Forest & Garden of Eden Trail
May 11: Perdido River Canoe Trip
June 6: Navarre Beach Tour and Kayak Trip
August 22: Ochlockonee River Canoe Trip
September 20: St. Andrews State Park, Snorkeling
October 11: Hiking at Tate’s Hell
November 14: Hiking at Torreya State Park


Each day starts at 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST or 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. Depending on location, moderate walking, hiking, swimming and/or paddling may be involved. Lunch, park entry fees and rentals will be provided for each participant (18 and up only) at a cost of $30 per class.

Registration is available at http://panhandleoutdoorslive2012.eventbrite.com. Space is limited, so register early!

Necessary equipment and clothing will vary based on weather and location, participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring drinking water, sunscreen and a camera on each trip. Transportation to each location will be facilitated by carpooling and some counties may be able to provide transportation.

For more information, contact Brooke Saari, bsaari@ufl.edu via email or by phone at 850-689-5850 or 850-892-8172.

Panhandle Outdoors LIVE!
January - November 2012

 

[Teresa]

The first trip for Panhandle Outdoors Live Program is coming up next week.

Wed 18 JAN -- Leon Sinks, Sinking Streams and Wakulla Spring

This field trip will encompass trails at Florida Park Service's Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park (Wakulla Co) and the US Forest Service's Leon Sinks Geological Area in the Apalachicola National Forest (Leon Co).

From your seat on a guided riverboat excursion, see oblivious manatee, wading birds, waterfowl and reptiles close up as you glide down the Wakulla River's spring run. Bring your binoculars! Eat lunch in the famed Wakulla Springs Lodge built by Ed Ball as a private retreat for himself and the St Joe Paper Company.

After lunch, explore clues to the origins of Wakulla's massive springflow just north at Leon Sinks Geological Area, where you'll see sinks, disappearing streams, a natural bridge, cave and other karst features. These give us a window into the underground labyrinth of huge caverns and conduits dissolved in the limestone beneath. Learn how the two very different landscapes of these sites are intimately connected by groundwater.

Come prepared to hike about 3 miles total. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water and trail snacks, rain gear if the weather forecast warrants. Meet at Wakulla Springs State Park boat dock, junction of SR 267 and SR 61 south of Tallahassee FL for a 10:30 AM EST start. This field trip will end at 5:00 PM EST, just south of Tallahassee FL.

Registration is available athttp://panhandleoutdoorslive2012.eventbrite.com. Space is limited, so register early!For more information, contact Brooke Saari, bsaari@ufl.edu via email or by phone at 850-689-5850 or 850-892-8172.