Nature   

The artesian springs of Florida are a glorious resource, not only for drinking but for recreation. Five of the springs in Marion County - Rainbow, Silver, Juniper and Fern Hammock, Salt and Silver Glen will be described in this lively presentation. You will also learn about options available for outdoor activities such as walking, swimming, and boating. Explore and compare the beauty of all of these wonderful locations and become inspired to see them for yourself!

Experience areas of Sholom Park that were not covered at your first Walk and Talk. Explore the Enchanted Forest, Fragrance Trail and the Olive Tree Promenade with Managing Director, Robert Colen and Park Manager, Brian DeVane at Part Two of Sholom Park's Walk and Talk.

Experience areas of Sholom Park that were not covered at your first Walk and Talk. Explore the Enchanted Forest, Fragrance Trail and the Olive Tree Promenade with Managing Director, Robert Colen and Park Manager, Brian DeVane at Part Two of Sholom Park's Walk and Talk.

The Upper Withlacoochee and lower Rainbow Rivers near Dunellen offer a different look at “old Florida” as well as the more “modern” appearance. This course features a three-hour boat ride with an experienced river boat Captain. Great opportunity to learn about all the wading/water birds you are likely to encounter in Florida. Lots of songbirds too!

We start on February 1^st at 10:00 AM with a classroom discussion and video presentation on any of the birds we are likely to see. You should be able to identify most of them accurately by the end of this first class.

The boat ride on February 8^th will begin with about one mile of the Rainbow River and as much of the Withlacoochee as we can cover in the allotted time. Enjoy up close and personal views of magnificent birds with great photo opportunities. An optional luncheon will follow at a nearby riverside cafe where we will make up a list of all the birds we have seen and/or heard on the boat-ride.

This will be a slow-poking exploration, geared toward inquisitive paddlers who are more interested in learning wild lore than covering distance. Unlike our other paddle tour/classes, this one will only cover a couple of miles in total, allowing time to drift, observe and learn about the river's plants, animals, archaeology, history and other wild lore.

If you want to see more of the river and learn a bit less of its wild lore, I recommend one of the other great courses offered in this catalog. Difficulty: Easy paddle, going downstream and then returning against a light current. Skill level: Good for beginners.

There is a $6 Park Fee the day of class. The trip lasts approx. 2.5 hours.

Meeting time (at launch site):  Kayaks are provided. After registering for the class, participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss any special needs or requests and confirm an email address for launch site directions. Lunch not included in price.

This will be a slow-poking exploration, geared toward inquisitive paddlers who are more interested in learning wild lore than covering distance. Unlike our other paddle tour/classes, this one will only cover a couple of miles in total, allowing time to drift, observe and learn about the river's plants, animals, archaeology, history and other wild lore.

If you want to see more of the river and learn a bit less of its wild lore, I recommend one of the other great courses offered in this catalog. Difficulty: Easy paddle, going downstream and then returning against a light current. Skill level: Good for beginners.

There is a $6 Park Fee the day of class. The trip lasts approx. 2.5 hours.

Meeting time (at launch site):  Kayaks are provided. After registering for the class, participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss any special needs or requests and confirm an email address for launch site directions. Lunch not included in price.

This will be a slow-poking exploration, geared toward inquisitive paddlers who are more interested in learning wild lore than covering distance. Unlike our other paddle tour/classes, this one will only cover a couple of miles in total, allowing time to drift, observe and learn about the river's plants, animals, archaeology, history and other wild lore.

If you want to see more of the river and learn a bit less of its wild lore, I recommend one of the other great courses offered in this catalog. Difficulty: Easy paddle, going downstream and then returning against a light current. Skill level: Good for beginners.

There is a $6 Park Fee the day of class. The trip lasts approx. 2.5 hours.

Meeting time (at launch site):  Kayaks are provided. After registering for the class, participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss any special needs or requests and confirm an email address for launch site directions. Lunch not included in price.

On this 3.5 mile kayak/canoe exploration of the upper Ichetucknee, we will enjoy some of North Florida's most stunningly beautiful waterways while learning about its interesting geological formations, including beautiful limestone outcroppings and seven named springs.

Paddlers will also hear some of the rich history that has made this one of Florida's most famous rivers. For 14,000 yrs, these waters have quenched the thirst of Indians, Spanish missionaries and DeSoto's conquistadors!

Meeting time (at launch site): 10 AM. There is a $5 Park Fee. Trip duration: 2 hours. Difficulty: Easy paddle, going downstream with the current. Skill level: Good for beginners.

William Bartram called it the Great Alachua Savanna. We know it as Paynes Prairie. On this chapter of our "Bartram's Florida" series, we'll take a 3 mile stroll onto the wetland savanna made famous by the young explorer in 1774.

The talk will include a brief overview of the prairie's rich history from Lars Andersen, author of "Paynes Prairie: A History and Guide."

-Note: Meeting time at park is 10 AM.
-There is a $5 Park Fee payable at the entrance day of trip.
-The trip duration is 1.5 - 2 hours long.
-The difficulty: Easy, two mile stroll on easy (mostly flat) terrain. Since this is an out-and-back hike, participants who can't do the entire hike are welcome to turn back at any time.
-The Skill level: Good for beginners.

William Bartram called it the Great Alachua Savanna. We know it as Paynes Prairie. On this chapter of our "Bartram's Florida" series, we'll take a 3 mile stroll onto the wetland savanna made famous by the young explorer in 1774.

The talk will include a brief overview of the prairie's rich history from Lars Andersen, author of "Paynes Prairie: A History and Guide."

-Note: Meeting time at park is 10 AM.
-There is a $5 Park Fee payable at the entrance day of trip.
-The trip duration is 1.5 - 2 hours long.
-The difficulty: Easy, two mile stroll on easy (mostly flat) terrain. Since this is an out-and-back hike, participants who can't do the entire hike are welcome to turn back at any time.
-The Skill level: Good for beginners.

Paddling Withlacoochee River, it is soon clear why it was designated, in 2006 as an "Outstanding Florida Waterway." On this 3 - 3.5 hour paddle, we will pass through habitats ranging from extensive, open marshes loaded with water birds of all sort and deeply shaded river hardwood forests that, in places, form a nearly complete over-canopy.

This wealth of history, archaeology and wild plant and animal lore we discuss on this tour makes it one of our favorites. Please meet at the launch site. The trip lasts appx. 3 - 3.5 hours. This is an easy, out-and-back paddle that ends at the same site from which we launch. The gentle current is easy to paddle against on the upstream portion of the trip. Skill level: Good for beginners and pros alike.

Meeting time (at launch site): Kayaks are provided. After registering for the class, participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss any special needs or requests and confirm an email address for launch site directions. Lunch not included in price.

On this kayak/canoe tour of Cross Creek and portions of Orange and Lochloosa Lakes, we'll explore the wild realm made famous by Pulitzer prize winning author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

The charming creek, beautiful lake vistas and abundant wildlife remain little changed since the early - mid 1900's, when Rawlings lived here and wrote such Florida classics as The Yearling and Cross Creek.

Good for beginners, basic lessons included. Please meet at the launch site at 10 AM. The trip is 2 - 2.5 hours. The difficulty: Easy paddle, going downstream and then returning against a light current.

After registering for the class, all participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss equipment needs and confirm an email address for launch site directions.

On this kayak/canoe tour of Cross Creek and portions of Orange and Lochloosa Lakes, we'll explore the wild realm made famous by Pulitzer prize winning author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

The charming creek, beautiful lake vistas and abundant wildlife remain little changed since the early - mid 1900's, when Rawlings lived here and wrote such Florida classics as The Yearling and Cross Creek.

Good for beginners, basic lessons included. Please meet at the launch site at 10 AM. The trip is 2 - 2.5 hours. The difficulty: Easy paddle, going downstream and then returning against a light current.

After registering for the class, all participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss equipment needs and confirm an email address for launch site directions.

On this easy, 2-2.5 hrs. tour we'll follow broad, winding channels through an array of broad marshes and shrubby islands, viewing the myriad plant and animal species those rich ecosystems support.  In addition to an interesting history, this tour is a birders wonderland.  Most years, in spring and early summer months, we pass a large rookery of assorted waders and water birds. 

After registering for the class, all participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss equipment needs and confirm an email address for launch site directions.

Note: Participants will meet at the launch site at 10 a.m. Kayakers will receive an email a day or two prior to the trip to discuss specific launch directions.

Unlike other coastal regions, where civilization crowds shoulder-to-shoulder along the shore, like lemmings amassing for their mythical plunge into the sea, nature still rules in the Cedar Keys area of Florida's Big Bend. It's a low, wet country where the "shore line" defies definition, ever-changing, shrinking and expanding, with the ebb and flow of tides.

Difficulty: Open water is easy if calm weather. Moderate if it's breezy. We won't go if the forecast is too windy (or inclement in any way). Skill level: Good for beginners. Meeting time (at launch site): 10 AM

After registering for the class, all participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss equipment needs and confirm an email address for launch site directions. Lunch is not included in price.