We are very happy to offer nature events for the month of October. We have a bundle for you to choose!

Please be sure to review each press release for specific dates, times, locations, directions and registration information.

Thank you to our volunteer and staff guides!

 

 

Strenuous Bike Hikes with Larry Robbins at the Carlton Reserve

 

Looking for experienced adult off-road bicyclists that are physically fit and ready for a challenge! Not for the faint of heart!

 

Sarasota County and Carlton Reserve volunteer Larry Robbins will lead you on a strenuous bike adventure through the beautiful but rugged T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve) on Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 8:00 am for approximately 3 to 5 hours. Expect to see lots of wildlife!

 

The Carlton Reserve, located at 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway in Venice, was purchased in the 1980's for public water supply source and for conservation/ recreation purposes.

Participants should bring their own (Off road/mountain trail type) bicycle with wide tires, spare tube, bike helmet (required for all participants), sun glasses, sun screen, insect repellent, snack, and plenty of drinking water. All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

To reach the Carlton Reserve, take I-75 to Exit 193 (Jacaranda Boulevard) or from US 41, Tamiami Trail, drive north on Jacaranda Boulevard. Drive north from the exit and then right at the next intersection (Border Road). Drive 2 ½ miles to the stop sign at South Moon Drive, turn left at the stop sign onto the Mabry Carlton Parkway, then turn right at the sign into the Carlton Reserve’s parking entrance. Follow signs to the parking lot which is on the right.

 

You MUST be an experienced ADULT off-road bicyclist and physically fit! NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! Rain or shine, mud or sand, Larry is ready to go! Space for this ride is limited to 6 participants. Reservations are required and should be secured by calling Larry Robbins at 941-544-0555. He will also provide you the area to meet.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In search of special fall Wildflowers at Manasota Scrub Preserve

 

Enjoy a leisurely walk on the west side of Manasota Scrub Preserve exploring regions seldom traveled by the regular visitors. It’s a nature walk at Manasota Scrub Preserve, in Englewood, Wednesday, October 5, 2011 from 9-11 a.m., when amateur botanists and Florida Native Plant Society members Denny Girard & Al Squires will show plant detectives where to find the wildfires thriving within the preserve.

 

The preserve is one of many public lands that are available through Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. In addition to numerous subtropical plants, visitors may hear the great-horned owl or northern quail, or view coasting eagles and red-tailed hawks overhead.

 

Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a light jacket, a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars (optional), camera and hand lens (optional).

 

Participants can reach Manasota Scrub Preserve, 2695 Bridge St., Englewood by taking I -75 to Exit 193 (Jacaranda Boulevard). At the end of the exit ramp, turn south onto Jacaranda Boulevard and drive approximately 5.2 miles. Turn left at the “T” intersection of Jacaranda Blvd. and Englewood Road (State Road 776). Drive approximately 1.5 miles and turn west on to Manasota Beach Road, then south (left) on Bridge Street. The parking lot will be on your left.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 20.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Wings over Lemon Bay” – Birding at South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve

 

What bird is that? Join enthusiastic birder, Sarasota County Natural Resources Environmental Specialist Nancy Edmondson on Thursday, October 6, 2011, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve to answer that query and more. During this time of the year you’re likely to see bald eagles, Florida scrub-jays, and birds returning from their summer homes up north.  Binoculars are a must to bring!

 

The preserve is one of many lands that are available through Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. The preserve is home to numerous subtropical plants, as well as gopher tortoise, alligator and river otter.

 

Participants should bring binoculars, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water and camera (optional), and wear comfortable walking shoes, earth-tone clothes and a hat.

 

Participants can reach South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve at 6200 Osprey Road, Venice by taking I -75 to Exit 193 (Jacaranda Blvd.). At the end of the exit ramp, turn south onto Jacaranda Boulevard and drive approximately 5.2 miles. At the “T” intersection of Jacaranda Blvd. and Englewood Road (State Road 776), turn left (south).  Drive approximately 1.5 miles and turn west on to Manasota Beach Road. Continue about a mile until the road curves left.  At the curve turn right onto Belvidere Road. Next turn right onto Pheasant Road, then left (west) onto Macon Road and take a left (south) on Osprey Road. Please park in the parking lot.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks', click ‘Go’ and choose your event. Follow the directions for registration.  Space for this walk is limited to 12.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Discovering Insects and Their Ways" – A guided insect identification walk at Curry Creek Preserve

 

Sarasota County is offering a guided insect identification nature walk at Curry Creek Preserve in Venice from 9 - 11 AM on Friday, October 7, 2011.  Sarasota County Extension Entomologist, Dr. Fred Santana, will lead participants through pine flatwoods and oak hammocks describing the little known insect denizens of the Preserve and introducing them to the insect diversity of nature and the role insects play in our environment.

 

Curry Creek Preserve is one of many natural areas available through the county’s environmental lands program. In addition to a wide variety of native plant species, the preserve also provides habitat for gopher tortoises, bobcats and a wide variety of bird species.

Participants should wear long pants, comfortable walking shoes, and bring a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars (optional), camera and a hand lens or magnifying glass (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

Participants can get to the Pinebrook Road  EAST entrance to Curry Creek Preserve, 1500 Pinebrook Rd., Venice, by taking I -75 to Exit 195 (Laurel Road). Go west on Laurel Road for approximately 0.3 miles and turn left at the traffic light onto Pinebrook Road heading south. Go 1.5 miles passing the traffic light at Edmondson Road and look for the preserve sign on the right. Slightly before you get to the preserve sign, turn right into the driveway directly across from Water Street and then bear left onto preserve property. Park on the grass to the south of the preserve sign and entrance. Participants will gather for the walk at the cable gate entrance.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 20.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DRAGONFLIES! at Urfer Family Park in Sarasota

 

Would you believe there are over 40 species of dragonflies and 12 species of damselflies that call Sarasota County home? Their vibrant colors and aerial antics can’t help but inspire our fascination. On Saturday, October 8, 2011, from 9:30 – 11:30 AM, join Kathy and Don Hess, amateur odonatists, at Urfer Family Park on a journey to learn more about dragonfly and damselfly evolution, mating habits, life cycles and behavior, the specific local varieties and the magic that has enthralled human cultures for ages.

 

Urfer Family Park, located at 4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota is Sarasota County’s first Silver LEED certified park.

 

Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes fit for a possible muddy trail; bring a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars (Short focal length recommended), and camera with a zoom lens (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

To reach Urfer Family Park, take I-75 to Exit 207 (Bee Ridge Road). Turn west at the exit taking Bee Ridge Road approximately 1.2 miles to the Honore Avenue intersection . Turn left onto Honore Avenue. The park will be on your right. Participants should meet at the parking lot at 9:30 am for an adventure in nature!

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hardwood Hammock Hike at Rothenbach Park

 

Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Jennifer Rogers, for a nature hike through the hardwood hammock habitats of Rothenbach Park on Sunday, October 9, 2011, from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the majestic oaks in the natural area of this multi-use park, and a chance at seeing the often present white-tailed deer!

 

Rothenbach Park is unique among all Sarasota County Parks in that it is the site of the (closed) capped Bee Ridge Landfill – a mountain of trash turned into a community treasure. The Bee Ridge Landfill was open at this site from 1970 until its closure and final capping in 2000. The site remains under Florida Department of Environmental Protection oversight as a capped landfill.

 

Participants should wear appropriate shoes for walking on both paved and sandy trails.  Recommended items to bring are camera, binoculars, bird and/or Florida field guide, water, insect repellent, hat, and sunscreen. All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

To reach Rothenbach Park, 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, take I-75 to Exit 207 (Bee Ridge Road. Travel east on Bee Ridge Road for approximately 3 miles to the end. The park entrance will be on your right. Meet at the Turkey Trail trailhead at Rothenbach Park.  The parking lot for this trailhead is located on the opposite side of the landfill mound from the park entrance and accessible by a gravel access drive.  After passing through the park gate and passing the park sign on the left, take a left onto the access drive (paved to start).

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Little Naturalist Field Trips for Youth Groups

 

“Looking for an outdoor education field trip for your summer camp, scout troop or civic club?” Then bring your youth to connect with nature in fun, creative ways at Sarasota County Government’s exciting NEW nature program,The Little Naturalist.

 

The Little Naturalist field trips are available from 9:30 – 10:30 AM and 11 AM – Noon on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Rothenbach Park. Native Plants is the theme for these field trips. The field trips are available for toddlers through elementary-age groups. This program includes a variety of hands-on nature themed activities, a snack and story. All groups must be registered and accompanied by camp counselors, chaperones, parents and/or adult guardians.

 

Rothenbach Park is a true community park offering many opportunities for recreational and nature based fun. Its amenities feature paved and unpaved trails, a playground, picnic facilities, and some of the most advanced recycling and sustainable building techniques and materials available. Rothenbach Park is also home to the FPL solar array which provides electrical power to the FPL grid. In fact, the entire site is a closed and capped landfill which has been "recycled" into open vistas and a beautiful public park, a prime example of turning trash into treasure.

 

Participants should wear comfortable weather-appropriate clothes, a jacket, walking shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops!), and bring a hat, sun screen, drinking water and camera (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

To get to Rothenbach Park at 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, take I -75 to Exit 207 (Bee Ridge Road). Drive east, approximately 3 miles, on Bee Ridge Road. Enter the park and stay to the right. Drive through the electric gates and park in the designated spaces adjacent to the picnic pavilion.

 

To register for one of the available Little Naturalist Program summer field trips, please register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click ‘Calendar of Events’ on the left. Click 'All Events' from the drop down menu, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. On the bottom of each Little Naturalist field trip description is an area that states 'Click here for registration.' Please register the name of the youth group. In the NOTES section at the bottom of the registration form, please also provide the age range of the participating children and include the names of the supervising adults accompanying the group. The available time slots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.   Space for this program is limited to no more than 15 children.

 

For more information and details about the Little Naturalist Program, please contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask to speak with the Little Naturalist Program staff. To view the entire Little Naturalist Program’s calendar, go to www.scgov.net. Select ‘County A to Z’ on the left. Click the letter ‘N’ in the alphabet header and then select “Nature’s Classroom.’

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Discovering Insects and Their Ways” – A guided insect identification walk Jelks Preserve

 

Sarasota County is offering a guided insect identification nature walk at the Jelks Preserve from 9:00 – 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 13, 2011. Sarasota County Extension Entomologist Dr. Fred Santana will lead participants through pine flatwoods and oak hammocks describing the good, the bad and the very interesting insects found in nature.

 

The preserve is one of many public lands that are available through Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. The preserve is home to numerous subtropical plants, as well as various animals in the river as the American alligator, peninsula cooter and West Indian manatee.

 

Participants should wear long pants, comfortable walking shoes, and bring a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars (optional), camera and a hand lens or magnifying glass (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

Meet at the entrance/parking area of the Jelks Preserve at 2300 North River Road, Venice. Take I-75 to Exit 191 (North River Road), go south approximately 1.5 miles to the entrance of the preserve which is on the left (east) side of the North River Road. From Venice, take E. Venice Avenue east to North River Road. Turn right (south) onto North River Road. Follow the sign to the entrance of the preserve which is on the left (east).

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 20.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Early Bird Nature Walk at Shamrock Park

 

Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Jennifer Rogers, for an early bird nature walk through upland scrub at Shamrock Park on Friday, October 14, 2011, from 8 – 9:30 a.m.  A volunteer birder from Venice Audubon will co-lead the walk in October.  Guests will learn about scrub habitat and have a chance at seeing the resident Florida scrub jays.

 

Shamrock Park contains some of the last remaining scrub habitat in the coastal area of Sarasota County and supports populations of Florida scrub jay and gopher tortoise.

 

Participants should wear appropriate shoes for walking on both paved and sandy trails.  Recommended items to bring are camera, binoculars, bird and/or Florida field guide, water, insect repellent, sunglasses or hat, and sunscreen. 

 

To reach Shamrock Park, 3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice, from the North, take I-75 South to Exit 200 SR 681 South toward Venice traveling approximately 3 miles to South Tamiami Trail/US 41. When SR 681 splits, head left to merge southbound on Tamiami Trail for approximately 2.7 miles to the Venice 41-Bypass.  At the 41-Bypass split, keep left onto the 41-Bypass continuing approximately 3.2 miles to Shamrock Drive. Turn right on Shamrock Drive traveling 1.6 miles to the park entrance on your right. Once in the park, continue past the basketball and tennis courts to the Nature Center.  Meet on the deck of the Nature Center.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

If you would like more information regarding Sarasota County parks and natural lands please visit  www.scgov.net, County A to Z, parks or natural lands, or contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Jennifer Rogers (jrogers@scgov.net).

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Discover Native Plants and Wildflowers at Manasota Scrub Preserve

 

Sarasota County is offering a guided native plants and wildflower walk at Manasota Scrub Preserve in Englewood from 9 - 11 AM on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Sarasota County Volunteer guide and Florida Native Plant Society member, Jack Lyons, will lead participants through the Preserve’s pine flatwoods and all the flowers and fruits found within. Along the way, Jack will identify plant species, share his knowledge of botany, and tell the lore of the plants as well.

 

The preserve is one of many public lands that are available through Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. In addition to numerous subtropical plants, visitors may hear the great-horned owl or northern quail, or view red-tailed hawks overhead.

 

Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a light jacket, a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars (optional), camera and hand lens (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

Participants can reach Manasota Scrub Preserve, 2695 Bridge Street, Englewood by taking I -75 to Exit 193 (Jacaranda Boulevard), then traveling south 5.3 miles to Englewood Road (SR 776). Take Englewood Road (SR 776) south to Manasota Beach Road and turn west (right), then south (left) on Bridge Street.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 20.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Family Bike Adventures at the Beautiful Carlton Reserve

 

Got bikes? Then grab the whole family to join Sarasota County and Carlton Reserve volunteer David Reynolds and his family for an off road wilderness bicycle ride through the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve) on Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. for approximately 1 to 2 hours. Expect to see lots of wildlife!

 

The Carlton Reserve, located at 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway in Venice, was purchased in the 1980's for public water supply source and for conservation/ recreation purposes.

 

Participants should bring their own bicycle suitable for off road riding - wide tires (Mountain bikes preferred, but not required), wear clothing applicable to riding bicycle on bumpy trails through the woods, closed-toed shoes, plenty of drinking water, sunscreen, insect repellant, sun glasses, helmet (required for all participants), padded bike gloves and binoculars (optional), and snacks/lunch (optional, but encouraged). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

To reach the Carlton Reserve, take I-75 to Exit 193 (Jacaranda Boulevard) or from US 41, Tamiami Trail, drive north on Jacaranda Boulevard. Drive north from the exit and then right at the next intersection (Border Road). Drive 2 ½ miles to the stop sign at South Moon Drive, turn left at the stop sign onto the Mabry Carlton Parkway, then turn right at the sign into the Carlton Reserve’s parking entrance. Follow signs to the parking lot which is on the right.

 

Space for this event is limited to 12 participants. Pre-registration is required. Reservations should be secured by calling David Reynolds at 941-412-5575 for registration and meeting location. If you don't have an off-road type bike, bike rental information may be obtained from David at the time of registration. Must be able to ride an off road bicycle. Children must be accompanied by parent(s). Routes will vary depending on trail conditions and group participants on the day of the ride. (Be prepared that some trails may have unexpected feral hog damage making trails quite rough.)

 

Learn more about Sarasota County Natural Lands and Parks at http://www.discovernaturalsarasota.org.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rothenbach Ride Nature-Cycle at Rothenbach Park

 

Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Jennifer Rogers, for a casual bicycle ride along the paved trail around Rothenbach Park on Sunday, October 16, 2011, from 8:30 -10:30 a.m.  Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the majestic oaks in the natural area of this multi-use park, learn about the hardwood hammock, as well as the closed landfill, and have a chance at seeing the often present white-tailed deer! 

 

The bicycle ride is approx. 3.5 miles in length.  Pre-registration is required.  Space is limited and other requirements apply.  Participants must bring their own bicycle and helmet. 

 

Rothenbach Park is unique among all Sarasota County Parks in that it is the site of the (closed) capped Bee Ridge Landfill – a mountain of trash turned into a community treasure. The Bee Ridge Landfill was open at this site from 1970 until its closure and final capping in 2000. The site remains under Florida Department of Environmental Protection oversight as a capped landfill.

 

Participants should wear appropriate clothes and shoes for bicycling.  Recommended items to bring are camera, binoculars, bird and/or Florida field guide, water, snacks, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, and have the ability to carry such items. All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

To reach Rothenbach Park, 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, take I-75 to Exit 207 (Bee Ridge Road. Travel east on Bee Ridge Road for approximately 3 miles to the end. The park entrance will be on your right. After entering the park, keep right towards the pavilion parking.  Meet at the Pavilion at Rothenbach Park. 

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

If you would like more information regarding Sarasota County parks and natural lands please visit  www.scgov.net, County A to Z, parks or natural lands, or contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Jennifer Rogers (jrogers@scgov.net).

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fall Wildflower Walk at Curry Creek Preserve

 

Sarasota County is offering a guided wildflower walk at Curry Creek Preserve in Venice from 9 - 11 AM on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Sarasota County Environmental Specialist, Jeff Weber, will lead participants through pine flatwoods and oak hammocks describing the wildflowers of the Preserve and introducing them to the plant diversity of nature and the surrounding habitat.

 

Curry Creek Preserve is one of many natural areas available through the county’s environmental lands program. In addition to a wide variety of native plant species, the preserve also provides habitat for gopher tortoises, bobcats and a wide variety of bird species.

 

Participants should wear long pants, comfortable walking shoes, and bring a light jacket, a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars, camera and hand lens (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

Participants can get to the Pinebrook Road  EAST entrance to Curry Creek Preserve, 1500 Pinebrook Rd., Venice, by taking I -75 to Exit 195 (Laurel Road). Go west on Laurel Road for approximately 0.3 miles and turn left at the traffic light onto Pinebrook Road heading south. Go 1.5 miles passing the traffic light at Edmondson Road and look for the preserve sign on the right. Slightly before you get to the preserve sign, turn right into the driveway directly across from Water Street and then bear left onto preserve property. Park on the grass to the south of the preserve sign and entrance. Participants will gather for the walk at the cable gate entrance.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 20.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Know Your Niche Nature Walk at Phillippi Estate Park

 

Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Jennifer Rogers, for a nature walk along the trails at Phillippi Estate Park on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.  We will stroll along the shoreline then venture into the coastal hammock to learn about mangroves, epiphytes and the effects of exotic plants on native ecosystems. 

 

Phillippi Estate Park is a scenic, 60-acre natural area park located south of downtown Sarasota on the shores of Phillippi Creek. The park features environmental and historic attractions including the historic Edson Keith Mansion and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Participants should wear appropriate shoes for walking on both paved and sandy trails.  Recommended items to bring are camera, binoculars, bird and/or Florida field guide, water, insect repellent, sunglasses or hat, and sunscreen. All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

To reach Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, from I-75, take Exit 205 (Clark Road). Travel west on Clark Road for approximately 5 miles to the intersection with US 41. Turn/Merge Right onto northbound Tamiami Trail (US 41) for 0.8 miles.  Turn left into the park entrance at the traffic signal for Constitution Blvd.  After entering the park, keep right towards the Edson Keith Mansion parking lot.  Meet at the trailhead in the northeast corner of the paved parking lot. 

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

If you would like more information regarding Sarasota County parks and natural lands please visit  www.scgov.net, County A to Z, parks or natural lands, or contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Jennifer Rogers (jrogers@scgov.net).

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

A Journey through Time: The History of Pocono Trail Preserve

 

Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist, Jeff Weber, and local historian, Nancy Eaton, on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 9 - 11 AM as they lead participants on a guided walk through Pocono Trail Preserve in Nokomis. Stroll through shady oak hammocks to the south shore of Shakett Creek, once the site of the historic Pollyanna Inn. Learn about early inhabitants from the Manasota Culture to more recent pioneers instrumental in the development of Nokomis and Venice.

 

Pocono Trail Preserve is one of many natural areas available through the county’s environmental lands program. The site contains forested hammocks, pine flatwoods and shoreline along Shakett Creek that provide habitat for osprey, migrating songbirds and wading birds.

 

Participants should wear long pants, comfortable walking shoes, and bring a light jacket, a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars, camera and hand lens (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

Directions to Pocono Trail Preserve, 189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis: Take I-75 south to exit 200 (S.R. 681) toward Venice/Osprey. Merge onto U.S. 41 and travel 2.2 miles to Colonia Lane. Turn left on Colonia Lane and left again onto Pocono Trail. Drive past Bittner Boulevard and parallel park along the north road shoulder next to the wood mortise fence.

 

From the southern portion of the county, take I-75 north to exit 195 (Laurel Road) and travel west toward U.S. 41. Turn left onto U.S. 41 and drive 1.5 miles south toward Venice. Turn left onto Colonia Lane and left again onto Nash Avenue. Drive one block to Pocono Trail and park along the north road shoulder.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Explore Life in Sarasota Bay With Us!

 

Get a little wet, have a little fun and learn a lot! Join American Littoral Society Biologist Chuck Idelberger on Saturday, October 22 from 9:30 - 11 AM at Bird Key Bayfront Park, on a search for marine life in Sarasota Bay. Using hand and seine nets, you will search shallow waters and sea grass beds, observing, collecting, and discussing the natural history of some of the many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit Sarasota Bay.

 

Participants should wear wading type shoes, a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, and bring a towel and drinking water. Prepare to get wet and muddy! All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

You may reach Bird Key Bayfront Park, John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota by taking I -75 to Exit 210 (Fruitville Boulevard),  Head West on Fruitville Rd toward Sarasota/St. Armands Circle approximately 6 miles to North Tamiami Trail. Turn left on North Tamiami Trail .1 mile turning right at Gulfstream Avenue and driving directly over the John Ringling Causeway Bridge. At the end of the bridge the park will be on your right.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net . Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 10.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Sunday Stroll at Urfer Park

 

Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Jennifer Rogers, for a Sunday Stroll nature walk at Urfer Family Park on Sunday, October 23, 2011, from 8 – 9:30 a.m.  Guests will have the opportunity to traverse a variety of habitats including herbaceous and forested wetlands, as well as pine flatwoods.  Feel miles away in this nearby park nestled in a residential area.

 

Participants should wear appropriate shoes for walking on both paved and uneven sandy trails.  Recommended items to bring are camera, binoculars, bird and/or Florida field guide, water, insect repellent, sunglasses or hat, and sunscreen.

 

To reach Urfer Park, 4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota, take I-75 to Exit 207 Bee Ridge Road West to Honore Avenue, approximately .9 miles. Turn left on Honore Avenue. Park will be located on your immediate right with parking available after the entrance area. Meet at the pavilion.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

If you would like more information regarding Sarasota County parks and natural lands please visit  www.scgov.net, County A to Z, parks or natural lands, or contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Jennifer Rogers (jrogers@scgov.net).

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Search of Blazing Stars at South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve

 

The hunt is on! Come search for blazing stars while exploring South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve with Sarasota County volunteers Al Squires and Denny Girard from 9 – 11 AM on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Al and Denny will introduce you to flowers such as blazing star and paintbrush while sharing information about the native vegetation. Participants will pass through a brackish water wetland, a high salinity mangrove area, scrubby flatwoods, and coastal woodlands bordering Lemon Bay.

 

This is one of many lands that are available through Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. In addition to the numerous subtropical plants, the preserve supports nesting bald eagles, Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises, all protected animal species. The preserve was the subject of a recent radical and very successful habitat restoration and hydrologic project.

 

Participants may bring binoculars, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water and camera (optional), wear comfortable walking shoes for sandy soil and a hat. All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

Participants can reach South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve, 5472 Kenisco Road, Venice,  by taking I -75 to Exit 193 (Jacaranda Blvd.). At the end of the exit ramp, turn south onto Jacaranda Boulevard and drive approximately 5.2 miles. At the “T” intersection of Jacaranda Blvd. and Englewood Road (State Road 776), turn left (south).  Drive a ¼ mile and then turn right (west) onto Cypress Road. Turn left at Mangrove Road and left again on Heron Road. Turn left onto Seneca Road; take a right onto Varet Road, a right on Euclid Road to Kenisco Road. Turn right to park on the Kenisco road shoulder by the cyclone fence. Please be aware of gopher tortoises in this neighborhood.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 20.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Discovering Insects and Their Ways" – A guided insect identification walk at Sleeping Turtles Preserve North

 

Sarasota County is offering a guided insect identification nature walk at Sleeping Turtles Preserve North in Venice from 9:00 – 11:00 AM on Friday, October 28, 2011. Sarasota County Extension Entomologist Dr. Fred Santana will lead participants through pine flatwoods, oak scrub and other habitats found on site.

 

This preserve is one of many that are available to the public through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. In addition to the numerous subtropical plants, visitors may observe eagles or osprey hunting over the river corridor.

 

Participants should wear long pants, comfortable walking shoes, and bring a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars (optional), camera and a hand lens or magnifying glass (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

Participants can reach the Sleeping Turtles Preserve North, 3462 Border Road, Venice, from northbound I-75, take exit 193 and turn right. From southbound I-75 take exit 193 and turn left. Proceed north 1/2 mile on Jacaranda Blvd. to the stop sign and turn right onto Border Road. Proceed approximately 3 miles east on Border Road to the bridge over the Myakka River. As you approach the bridge, the Sleeping Turtles Preserve North parking lot will be on the left (north side), immediately before the bridge.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 20.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Creepy and Spooky Critters of Pocono Trail Preserve

 

Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Jeff Weber on Monday, October 31, 2011 from 9 - 11 AM as he leads participants on a ghastly guided walk through Pocono Trail Preserve in Nokomis. Stroll through shadowy oak hammocks festooned with Spanish moss and rambling tangles of vines. Along the way, we’ll investigate the haunts of spiders, snakes and other creepy critters and delve into the mysterious secrets of bats, owls and other spooky creatures. We may even feel the ghostly presence of past guests who visited the Pollyanna Inn that once stood on this site.

 

Pocono Trail Preserve is one of many natural areas available through the county’s environmental lands program. The site contains forested hammocks, pine flatwoods and shoreline along Shakett Creek that provide habitat for osprey, migrating songbirds and wading birds.

 

Participants should wear long pants, comfortable walking shoes, and bring a light jacket, a hat, sun screen, insect repellent, drinking water, binoculars, camera and hand lens (optional). All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 

Directions to Pocono Trail Preserve, 189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis: Take I-75 south to exit 200 (S.R. 681) toward Venice/Osprey. Merge onto U.S. 41 and travel 2.2 miles to Colonia Lane. Turn left on Colonia Lane and left again onto Pocono Trail. Drive past Bittner Boulevard and parallel park along the north road shoulder next to the wood mortise fence.

 

From the southern portion of the county, take I-75 north to exit 195 (Laurel Road) and travel west toward U.S. 41. Turn left onto U.S. 41 and drive 1.5 miles south toward Venice. Turn left onto Colonia Lane and left again onto Nash Avenue. Drive one block to Pocono Trail and park along the north road shoulder.

 

Register on-line at www.scgov.net. Click Calendar of Events on the left. Click the 'All Events' drop down list, choose 'Nature Walks' and click 'go'. Space for this walk is limited to 15.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

October, November and December   Sarasota County Extension  Education Schedule
Date	Time	Subject	Place
10/4	6:30PM	Creating Your Florida Yard	North Port Library
10/5	10AM	Seasonal Landscape Problems	Twin Lakes Park
10/5	1PM	Step-by Step Florida-Friendly Landscape Training ($25.00 for five classes) 10/12, 10/19, 11/2, 11/16	Twin Lakes Park
10/6	10:30AM	Nine Landscape Principles	Venice Library
10/6	2PM	Non-Native Invasive Plants	Shamrock Park
10/12	10AM	Alternatives to Turf	Twin Lakes Park
10/15	10AM	Rain Barrel Workshop	Englewood Sports Complex
10/20	2PM	Household Pests	Shamrock Park
11/1	6:30PM	Nine Landscape Principles	North Port Library
11/2	10AM	Color in the Winter Garden	Twin Lakes Park
11/2	6PM	Worm Composting	Twin Lakes Park
11/3	10:30AM	Creating Your Florida Yard	Venice Library
11/3	2PM	Stinging Insects	Shamrock Park
11/16	10AM	Home Health Hazards for Older Adults	Twin Lakes Park
11/19	10AM	Rain Barrel Workshop	Twin Lakes Park
11/23