Nature Calls

Ecowalk: Manasota Scrub Preserve
Take a leisurely stroll through some of Sarasota County’s most beautiful and environmentally sensitive preserved lands with a UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County educator. On Thursday, October 12, 9:30 to 11:30am, the ecowalk will be at Manasota Scrub Preserve, 2695 Bridge Street (off Manasota Beach Road). You will learn about the amazing local ecosystems, what makes these areas so unique and important, the plants and animals that inhabit them, how to be watershed-wise and the management issues faced when trying to preserve these lands for future generations. Registration required. Register at: eventbrite.com/e/608783677367.

FL Master Naturalist Program
There are still seats available for the Florida Master Naturalist Program Freshwater Module, offered by UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. The course will be taught on six consecutive Thursdays starting October 12, from 8am to 4:30pm, and will include lectures on Florida’s unique ecosystems and wildlife as well as field experiences around Charlotte County. Course registration is $250 plus an optional $50 for a paper copy of the learning materials. Registration deadline is Friday, October 6th. For more information and registration, visit conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/fs23-13inperson.html. For questions, contact Kate Rose at [email protected] or 941•764•4346.

Mangrove Chapter FNPS Activities
The mission of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. The Mangrove Chapter serves Charlotte County and southern Sarasota County. Visit them online at mangrove.fnpschapters.org. For more information, contact them at [email protected].

Native Plants for Birds
The Mangrove Chapter of the FL Native Plant society will host “Native Plants for Birds”, an educational program presented by Florida Master Naturalist Kristen Hoffschmidt on Tuesday, October 2, 1 to 3pm, at Lemon Bay Park & Environmental Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd. Residents and visitors enjoy Florida’s biodiverse bird communities, and native plants are critical to bird survival. The presentation will highlight the importance of native plants to bird survival and strategies to strengthen Florida’s native plant communities. Meet at the Environmental Center. BYOLunch to the picnic shelter at 12:30pm for a meet and greet. Open to the public. For more information email [email protected].

Old Miakka Nature Walk
Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Jeff Weber, Sarasota Environmental Specialist, as they introduce you to the native plant wonders at Old Miakka Preserve, 251 Myakka Road, Sarasota. This nature walk will be Saturday, October 14 from 9 to 11am. Parking is limited, and car-pooling is recommended. Please wear closed shoes and bring water. Bring a sack lunch as following the walk participants have been invited to enjoy their lunch in the shade at Florida Native Plants Nursery, 730 Myakka Road, Sarasota. After lunch you’re invited to explore the nursery; FNPS members receive a 10% discount. This event is open to the public. For more. information email [email protected].

Sunset Stroll
The Mangrove Chapter of the FL Native Plant Society invites you to their first sunset stroll for the season on Wednesday, October 18, 4:30pm, at the Venice Rookery, 4002 S. Tamiami Trail via Annex Rd., Venice. Meet members Linda and Dave Manley as they lead you through this beautiful nesting area for waterbirds and diverse garden of native plants. Meet at the Pondside Pavilion. This event is open to the public. For more information email [email protected]. 

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) Activities
 On these casual walks with CHEC volunteers, you will search for and learn about plants, animals, fungi, and more that live in Charlotte County preserves. Prepare for each walk with plenty of water, insect repellent, sunscreen, and clothing that will protect you from insects and plants. Advance registration is required. For more information on programs, please call 941•475•0769 or email [email protected]. Go to CHECflorida.org for a complete program calendar.

Seagrass Wading Trip
Join CHEC for a free wading adventure through the seagrass beds of Lemon Bay on Saturday, September 23, 9 to 11am. All participants will be guided approximately a half-mile to the wading site, where they will collect and view creatures of the bay. Participants will need to wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that may get wet during the trip. Participants are also encouraged to wear sunscreen and insect repellent and to bring plenty of drinking water. Advance registration is required at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769. Trips fill up fast! Meet outside the Cedar Point Visitor Center at 2300 Placida Road.

Kayak EcoTour
Join CHEC and Biotica EcoTours on a beautiful, guided kayak ecotour of Lemon Bay and the surrounding mangrove habitats, including the nearby bird rookery, on Monday, September 25, 9 to 11:30am. This tour is perfect for all skill levels and wonderful for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts. The tour is approximately 2.5 hours of easy-paced paddling. The fee is $50 per person, which includes kayaks and all other equipment for the day. Meeting location is at the kiosk by the visitor center at Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Road. Advance registration is required. Please contact Biotica EcoTours at 941•350•4905 or bioticatours.com/eco-tours to reserve your spot.

Nighttime Seagrass Wading Trip
Embrace your nocturnal side and join CHEC for a two-hour nighttime wading adventure through the seagrass beds of Lemon Bay on Tuesday, September 26, 7 to 9pm. Search for, catch & release sea creatures in Lemon Bay while learning about the unique aquatic plants and animals with help from a CHEC naturalist. Program fee is $15 per person. Advance registration is required by emailing [email protected] or calling 941•475•0769. Meet at Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Road.

Tippecanoe II Mitigation Preserve
Join CHEC on a guided walk on Wednesday, September 27, 8am, through Tippecanoe II Mitigation Preserve, 16259 Joppa Avenue, Port Charlotte. This 150-acre preserve is home to several families of the threatened Florida scrub jay. Meet in the parking lot. Please register online at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769 for more information.

Cedar Point Nature Walk
Join CHEC for a guided tour of the 115-acre beautiful Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Road, on Saturday, September 30, 8am. Meet outside the visitor center at 2300 Placida Road. Register online at checflorida.org or register or more information, call 941•475•0769. 

Bayshore Live Oak Park
Join CHEC on a walk at Bayshore Oak Park along the shoreline of Charlotte Harbor on Wednesday, October 4 at 8am to explore the various mangrove species found there. Covered will be mangrove identification, special adaptions that allow mangroves to thrive in salty environments, and why mangroves are important and protected in Florida. Bayshore Park is located at 23157 Bayshore Road, Port Charlotte. Please register by filling out the form online at checflorida.org or by calling 941•475•0769. 

Cedar Point Volunteer Meeting
You are invited to join CHEC for its monthly Volunteer meeting on Monday, October 9, 8:30 to 10:30am, at Cedar Point Park, 2300 Placida Road. Free snacks & coffee will be offered along with a presentation of the park, its programs, and volunteer opportunities. The meeting will end with a cleanup at the park as part of Keep Charlotte Florida Beautiful’s “International Coastal Cleanup” Campaign. Advance registration is required; please call 941•475•0769 or email [email protected].

Tippecanoe Environmental Park
Join CHEC on a guided walk through 380-acre Tippecanoe Environmental Park on Wednesday, October 11 at 8am. This Charlotte County park includes habitats such as scrub, pine flatwoods, marsh, and wetlands. Meet behind the Charlotte County Sports Park at 2400 El Jobean Road. To register, fill out the form online at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769. 

Kayak EcoTour
Join CHEC and Biotica EcoTours on a beautiful, guided kayak ecotour of Lemon Bay and the surrounding mangrove habitats, including the nearby bird rookery, on Sunday, October 15, 9 to 11:30am. This tour is perfect for all skill levels and wonderful for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts. The tour is approximately 2.5 hours of easy-paced paddling. The fee is $50 per person, which includes kayaks and all other equipment for the day. Meeting location is at the kiosk by the visitor center at Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Road. Advance registration is required. Please contact Biotica EcoTours at 941•350•4905 or bioticatours.com/eco-tours to reserve your spot.

Seagrass Wading Trip
Join CHEC for a free wading adventure through the seagrass beds of Lemon Bay on Friday, October 20, 9 to 11am. All participants will be guided approximately a half-mile to the wading site, where they will collect and view creatures of the bay. Participants will need to wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that may get wet during the trip. Participants are also encouraged to wear sunscreen and insect repellent and to bring plenty of drinking water. Advance registration is required at checflorida.org or call 941•475•0769. Trips fill up fast! Meet outside the Cedar Point Visitor Center at 2300 Placida Road.

The items appearing in this column are as accurate as possible. Please call the listed numbers for confirmation.