Panhandle Outdoors LIVE!Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9:30 AM - Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:00 PM (CT) |
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Event Details
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.
Thurs 16 FEB -- Chipola River Bluffs and Caverns, Falling Waters
Join us for exciting tours of two relatively unknown gems of the Florida State Park System: Falling Waters State Park in Chipley, and Florida Caverns State Park near Marianna.
We will begin in the morning with a tour of the fascinating geology and diverse flora of Falling Waters State Park, featuring instruction by Park Specialist Scott Sweeney and Washington County Horticulture Agent Matthew Orwat.
After lunch, we will travel east 20 miles to Florida Caverns State Park and go below ground for a fascinating tour of a limestone cave containing dazzling formations of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. Dr. Holly Ober, extension specialist in wildlife ecology, will be your guide to learning about the natural history of bats that inhabit Florida's Panhandle caverns.
The park's limestone bluffs along the Chipola River floodplain are rich in trees, shrubs and wildflowers found in Florida only where year-round surface water meets limestone.
Thurs 15 MAR -- Eglin Air Force Base Seepage Slopes
Join us on a hike through one of the most diverse habitats for plants in North America. We will experience some of the few remaining seepage slope bog communities. Only 1% of this community type remains in Florida, which makes them rare and highly threatened. Seepage slope bogs boast over 14% of the Panhandle’s documented native plants -- including three of four of the world’s carnivorous plant families.
This will be a moderate hike over un-even terrain. Please wear sturdy shoes, field clothes, long pants. Remember sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, and a camera.
Wed 4 APR -- Apalachicola Bluffs, Steepheads and Ravines
This field trip will encompass trails at Florida Forest Service's Bear Creek Educational Forest in Lake Talquin State Forest (Gadsden Co), and The Nature Conservancy's "Garden of Eden" in the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (Liberty Co).
Hike moderately-strenuous trails through two of the Florida Panhandle's globally-rare steephead and ravine systems. Learn how these very different watersheds developed. See relict flora left behind in these unique micro-climatic habitats, when more northern plants and animals migrated back northward as the Wisconsin glaciation ended and our region slowly warmed.
Come prepared to hike about 5 miles total. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring water and trail snacks, rain gear if the weather forecast warrants. Meet at Bear Creek Educational Forest, SR 267 south of I-10, Quincy FL for a 10:30 AM EDT start. This field trip will end at 5:00 PM EDT, just north of Bristol FL.
Fri 11 MAY -- Perdido River
Perdido Natural Adventures will be our outfitter for a 4-5 hour paddling trip down the historic Perdido River, the north-south border between Florida and Alabama. This sand-bottom, blackwater river and its adjacent floodplain are home to gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and river otters, as well as beautiful cypress and tupelo trees.
Lunch will be provided picnic-style on a sandbar and time will be allotted for swimming and rope swinging! The river typically has steady water flows (dependent on rainfall), so the trip requires little vigorous paddling, but the river's narrower, winding sections will necessitate steering.
Wed 6 JUN -- Navarre Beach and Santa Rosa Sound
Join us on Navarre Beach at the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station. Here we will learn about the barrier island system, the Santa Rosa Sound, marine mammals, plankton, sea turtles and coastal processes.
We will kayak along the sound, walk along the Gulf of Mexico and learn about the western Panhandle coastal environment. Easy kayaking and hiking, although if the wind is up, the kayaking can be moderate.
Wed 22 AUG -- Ochlockonee Brackish River Swamps and Marshes
This field trip will feature canoeing through flooded marshes of the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Wakulla Co) at the head of Ochlockonee Bay, and on the Sopchoppy, Dead and Ochlockonee Rivers which meet there.
We will explore the swamp forested lower reaches of the Ochlockonee and Sopchoppy rivers, and the Dead River which connects them at the head of the bay. You will see vegetation transition from freshwater to brackish along the rivers and through the marshes.
Come prepared to canoe about 10 miles total. Windy conditions on open water can make the canoeing strenuous; otherwise, there isn't much current or tidal flow to impede easy progress. Wear water shoes, hat, sunglasses and wind jacket. Bring a dry bag with sunscreen, drinking water and trail snacks, rain gear if the weather forecast warrants.
We will meet and launch from the bluffs of Ochlockonee River State Park (Wakulla Co). Meet at the park's canoe ramp for a 10:30 AM EST start. The park is on US 319 south of Sopchoppy, and just north of the Ochlockonee River bridge at the Wakulla-Franklin county line. This field trip will end at 5:00 PM EST.
Thurs 20 SEPT -- St Andrews Beaches, Dunes and Bay
Join us for a wading and snorkeling tour of underwater habitats of St. Andrews Bay. You’ll get an up-close and personal look at marine nursery grounds teeming with sea life as we explore the bay’s seagrass meadows with masks, seine nets and a variety of scientific sampling gear. We’ll go face-to-face with tropical fish and marine invertebrates like sea urchins that live along the jetties at St. Andrews Pass.
Wear tightly-fitting water shoes or athletic shoes for wading, no flip-flops.
Thurs 11 OCT -- Tate's Hell Wet Savannas and Swamps
Join us for a whirlwind tour of a variety of wetland community types -- some very unique -- in a place called Tate's Hell because it once was considered impenetrable by man.
At one time Tate's Hell supported at least 12 major community types, of which 8 were wetlands: wet flatwoods, wet prairie, seepage slope, baygall, floodplain forest, floodplain swamp, basin swamp and dense titi thickets. The other four were upland hardwood forest, sandhill, pine ridge and scrub.
Currently, Tate's Hell State Forest contains approximately 107,300 acres of hydric communities such as wet prairie (containing a vast diversity of plant species), wet flatwoods, strand swamp, bottomland forest, baygall, and floodplain swamp. Past management practices have disrupted the function of the natural ecosystems, and their restoration is a primary management objective of the Florida Forest Service.
Several unique stands of “dwarf cypress” trees are located on the forest. Several of these cypress trees are documented to be over 150 years old but only reach a mature height of approximately 15 feet.
Rare plant species living on the forest include: thick-leaved water-willow (Justicia crassifolia), white birds-in-a-nest (Macbridea alba), Florida bear grass (Nolina atopocarpa), Chapman's butterwort (Pinguicula planifolia), and small-flowered meadow beauty (Rhexia parviflora). Pitcher plant seeps and other carnivorous plants are plentiful, as are a variety of other aquatic and terrestrial plants.
Wed 14 NOV -- Torreya Bluffs, Streams and Floodplain Forests
This field trip will take you on trails at Florida Forest Service's Torreya State Park (Liberty Co). You will explore the moist slope forests along the crystal-clear perennial streams that originate in steepheads and course through the park's ravines, and see their transition into the mature floodplain forest of the Apalachicola River, at the foot of the park's steep bluff.
Come prepared to hike about 5 miles total. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring water and trail snacks, rain gear if the weather forecast warrants. Meet at the group picnic pavilion in Torreya State park, south of Greensboro FL and north of Bristol FL, for a 10:30 AM EST start. This field trip will end at 5:00 PM EST.
When & Where
Fillingim Landing on Perdido River (May 11th only)
+30° 40' 29.85", -87° 24' 20.80"
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9:30 AM - Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:00 PM (CT)
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Hosted By
University of Florida/ IFAS Extension Programs in County Extension Centers across the Florida Panhandle, from Jefferson to Escambia counties
University of Florida/ IFAS Extension faculty are planning and leading this series of field trips for Panhandle residents to explore and learn about the Panhandle's signature aquatic resources and the plant and animal communities they support.
Hotel & Campground Suggestions for Perdido River Trip May 11th
Hotels Near the Interstate at Pine Forest Exit:
Comfort Inn, 850-476-8989
Holiday Inn Express, 850-944-8442
Sleep Inn, 850-941-0908
Campgrounds:
Lake Stone Campground
801 West Highway 4
Century, Florida 32535
(850) 256-5555
http://www.co.escambia.fl.us/Bureaus/ParksRec/LakeStone.html
Beck’s Lake Fish Farm and Campground
2020 Beck's Lake Road
Pensacola, Florida 32533
GPS Coordinates: Latitude 30.622671, Longitude -87.267906
Perdido River Trip, Friday May 11th
Meeting place: Fillingim Landing, Barrineau Park, +30° 40' 29.85", -87° 24' 20.80"
Driving directions from the East:
· From Interstate 10, take Exit 10-B north onto Hwy 29 North.
· Go north 13.5 Miles. You will pass the Florida Division of Forestry on the right.
· Take a left onto Highway 196, Barrineau Park Road. It is the very first intersection after Florida Division of Forestry.
· Continue on Hwy 196. The road will fork in front of St. Elizabeth Catholic church. Take the left fork.
· If you miss it, don’t worry. Just make your next immediate left.
· At the stop sign on Hwy 97 (Jack’s Branch Road), take a left.
· Fillingim Landing will be the first real drive on your right side, not more than 0.5 miles down Hwy 97 (Jack’s Branch Road). Go all the way to the end to park.
We will rendezvous at the landing at 9 am. Transportation will take us to the drop off point. Your vehicle will stay at the landing, which is the ending point. There is not a lot of parking there, so carpooling is recommended.
Come ready to spend a day on the water and in sunshine. Wear swimsuits or other appropriate water gear; bring sunscreen and a hat. The river bottom is sandy/ gravelly, but there are snags, so it would be good to have footwear when we do stop at sand bars. Life vests will be provided.
If you bring electronics, make sure you have a waterproof bag. Someone will end up swimming. We will be collecting litter along the way, so bring a trash bag to pick up others’ waste.
We will provide water for you throughout the trip, as well as lunch (vegetarian options available). If you have special dietary needs, contact Libbie ahead of time.
If the weather forecast for May 11th appears threatening and you question whether the program will happen, please contact Rick O’Connor at 850-776-3906, Libbie Johnson at 850-554-3792, or Carrie Stevenson at 850-572-1883.
Any questions about directions prior to the event, contact Libbie at libbiej@ufl.edu
If you get lost, contact Rick, Libbie, or the Florida Division of Forestry at 850-587-5123. There will be signs on the road.
For a google earth satellite map of the landing with roads and highways overlain, go to:
BASIC LOGISTICS: Our April 4th field trip will begin at 10:30 AM EDT at the Florida Forest Service's Bear Creek Educational Forest (part of Lake Talquin State Forest in Gadsden Co), right on SR 267 south of I-10 and south of Quincy FL.
The trip will end at 5:00 PM EDT at The Nature Conservancy's Alum Bluff Trail (in the "Garden of Eden" part of the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve in Liberty Co), on SR 12 just north of Bristol FL.
CLOTHING: Come prepared to hike about 5 miles total on moderately-strenuous trails. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring a hiking staff or trecking pole if you wish.
Be sure to bring water and trail snacks. We can refill our bottles for the Garden of Eden before departing Bear Creek.
Dress for the possibility of mosquitoes and ticks in the woods. Bring your favorite type of insect repellent if you use chemical repellents.
LUNCH: We will eat lunch in the woods along the trail. Before we embark on the Bear Creek trail, each participant will select a deli sandwich and 2 sides made fresh Wednesday morning and packed on ice. Lunch also inlcudes a pickle, cookies and iced tea.
Here's what we need for you to do, to prepare to participate in our no-waste trail lunch:
Bring a small insulated bag in your daypack, and include napkins, spoon and fork, and an ice pack. Also bring a spare bottle (re-used water/soda bottle, or re-usable water bottle) into which you can pour iced tea.
WEATHER: There is a chance of showers forecast for Wednesday, and the field trip will go forward rain or shine. Pack rain gear, including a hat that sheds water. Quick-dry clothing is reccomended.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Bear Creek Educational Forest is located in Gadsden County, south of Quincy.
- From Interstate 10: exit onto Highway 267. Go south on Highway 267 for 4.8 miles. The entrance will be on your left.
- From Highway 20: turn north onto Highway 267. Follow Highway 267 for 7.5 miles. The entrance will be on your right.
Directions to Starting Point for March 15th Field Trip (Eglin AFB Seepage Slopes):
From I-10 - Exit 56:
Take Hwy 85 south towards Niceville. You will stay straight on Hwy 85 when you come to the Hwy 123 intersection (do not take Hwy 123 -ignore the signs).
In about 4 miles, you will be in Niceville. Go straight through the College Blvd intersection and get in the left lane. You will pass Edge Elementary school and the Eglin Golf Course.
Jackson Guard will be the next entrance after the Golf Course (on your left). Look for the Fire Tower. Please park in the grassy lot to the left (conference room parking).
From Freeport - Hwy 20:
Take Highway 20 West into Niceville. Take Highway 85N towards Crestview.
Jackson Guard is the 2nd entrance on the right as you come up the hill on Highway 85N - immediately after the Quality Inn. Look for the Fire Tower.
Please park in the grassy lot to the left (conference room parking).
If you have any questions, please call or email the field trip leader:
Brooke Saari, Marine Science Extension Agent
University of Florida IFAS & Florida Sea Grant
Okaloosa & Walton Counties
850-892-8172 (Walton)
850-689-5850 (Okaloosa)
Itinerary for the February 16th "Chipola River Bluffs & Caverns, Falling Waters" Field Trip:
Arrive at 9:00-9:30 Ag Center in Chipley
Begin: 9:45 at Falling Waters
1. Tours of Falling Waters by Matt Orwat and Scott Sweeney: Karst Topography and Lake
2. Lunch at Main Pavilion 11:30-12:30; Travel to Marianna after lunch
3. Cave Tours begin at 1:30
Cool temps inside the cave (about 65 degrees today), so everyone dress appropriately to remain comfortable throughout the trip. A removable light jacket is a good idea. There will be two cave tours, so during the down time, please explore the Gift Shop and Interpretive Center above the Gift Shop.
4. The Nature Walk by Billy Bailey will follow the Cave Tours at 3:30
5. All should be complete by 4:15 - 4:30
*************ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE, EXCEPT THE STARTING TIME*************
*Meet at 9:00 CST at the Washington County Ag. Center located at 1424 Jackson Ave in Chipley Florida. The Exit off of I-10 is # 120. Go North on SR 77 / Main St. to US 90 / Jackson Ave. Turn LEFT or WEST at the big water tower and find the Ag Center approximately one mile on the right. It is a big, white cinder block building with a reddish / maroon roof and a large sign out front.
* We will travel to Falling Waters via Carpool or in individual cars.
From the Washington County Ag Center:
Turn LEFT (EAST) onto U.S. 90 / Jackson Ave and note the big water tower and SR 77 / Main St.
Turn Right (South). Drive under I-10 and continue on SR 77 until State Park Rd, at which you turn LEFT (EAST). Cross Falling Waters Rd. and enter the state park on State Park Road.
* From Falling Waters State Park to Florida Caverns State Park, 3345 Caverns Road, Marianna, Florida 32446:
1. Head southeast on State Park Rd
2. Turn right onto FL-77 N
3. Merge onto I-10 E via the ramp, Go EAST
4. Take exit 136 for FL-276 E
5. Turn left onto FL-276 E/
Continue to follow FL-276 E (also known as Pennsylvania Ave)
6. Turn right onto US. 90 (go east)
7. Turn left onto FL-166 N/ Jefferson St (go north)
Continue to follow FL-166 N, which becomes Caverns Rd
Florida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns Road
Marianna, Florida 32446
* Back to the Washington County Ag. Center:
Caverns Road FL-166 to US 90. Turn Right (WEST) and follow back to Ag Center in Chipley. A Straight drive with no turns after you get onto US 90.
In light of the weather forecast for Thursday, be sure to bring rain gear (rain jacket, hat, quick-drying pants and boots, fold-up umbrella).
If you need assistance or have questions on the day of this field trip, call the Washington County Extension office at 850-638-6180.
Driving directions to our meeting location for the February 16th Panhandle Outdoors LIVE! Field Trip:
This trip will take us to Falling Waters State Park to explore its karst hydrological features, and to Marianna Caverns State Park to explore the Chipola River bluffs and caves, and the natural history of bats in Florida's caves.
The trip will begin at Washington County Extension, 1424 Jackson Ave in Chipley at 9:30 AM CST.
The Extension office in Chipley is located right on US 90 (W Jackson Ave) several blocks WEST of the intersection of SR 77 with US 90. In other words, it's right on the main drag, right in town, and easy to access from I-10 if you exit on SR 77 and go NORTH to US 90 in downtown Chipley.
Zoom in and out of the google map in the sidebar above to see what route you should take to get there, from wherever you're driving.
Or you can mapquest your route using the address.
If you get lost, call the Washington County Extension office at 850-638-6180.
Again, NOTE: this trip begins at 9:30 AM CST (local time) and ends at 4:00 PM CST (local time).
Please be on time! At 9:30 AM CST the group will organize a carpool caravan and head out!
Prepare for light walking, and for the weather conditions predicted. Cave temp is around 65 degrees, but you'll be standing around and walking slowly, so you may get chilly. Come prepared with the clothing you need to stay comfortable.
Bring water bottle and snacks. Lunch is provided as part of your registration fee.
If you have other questions in advance, e-mail your trip leader, Extension Agent Matt Orwat, at mjorwat@ufl.edu
Driving directions to our meeting location for the January 18th Panhandle Outdoors LIVE! Field Trip:
Coming from the West (Quincy and beyond), travel east on I-10 to Exit 196. Take State Road 263 (Capitol Circle) south 12 miles. Turn right (south) onto U.S. 319/State Road 61 (Crawfordville Highway) for two miles. Bear left onto State Road 61 (Wakulla Springs Rd) for six miles. Turn left onto State Road 267 at flashing stop light. Turn right into Park entrance.
Coming from the East on I-10 (Monticello and beyond), use Exit 203. Take State Road 61 (Thomasville Road) south. Follow State Road 61 through downtown Tallahassee for 10 miles. Continue onto U.S. 319/State Road 61 (Crawfordville Highway) south for two miles. Bear left onto State Road 61 (Wakulla Springs Road) for six miles. Turn left onto State Road 267 at flashing stop light. Turn right into the park.
Do NOT pay a vehicle charge at the park entrance gate house. Tell the attendant that you are with the UF Extension group "Panhandle Outdoors LIVE" for a booked boat tour and lunch at the Lodge.
Follow the park signs to the Boat Dock. After you park, do NOT go into the two-story stucco Lodge unless you are early and have time to kill. You will see it at lunch.
Instead, proceed through the red brick pavilion at the far right of the Lodge (there are restrooms in the pavilion) and walk down the slope to the boathouse. We will meet in front of the boat house at 10:30 am EST sharp! Do not be late or you might miss our boat tour. If that happens, wait for us in the Lodge lobby where we will reappear for our pre-arranged noon lunch.
Registration opens at NOON on Friday December 16th!
Download an Extension Fact Sheet about each field trip's featured site(s) here, one week prior to each field trip: http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/tst_pan_index_nr.php
Contact organizer:
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