Category: Wildlife

Cumberland Island Boat Tours

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Amelia River Cruises are doing boat tours of Cumberland Island daily throughout August. You’ll get to see coastal Georgia and Cumberland Island along the coast of Amelia Island. This tour delves into the unique history of both islands as it cruises along the coast. It leaves from historic Fernandina at 2:30pm and gives an oceanfront view of Fort Clinch followed by the ruins of the Carnegie family’s Dungeoness Mansion. Guests might also spot wildlife such as dolphins, osprey, roseate spoonbills, and more. Guests will not be getting off the boat, so come fully prepared; bring your camera, binoculars, shade protection, sunscreen, snacks, and drinks (non-alcoholic). Learn more or book by visiting the Amelia River Cruises website. 

Illuminights at Jacksonville Zoo

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The Jacksonville Zoo is hosting Illuminights once again! From now until August 11th, visit the zoo on Fridays to enjoy the twilight hours with the animals as they wind down to sleep. After dark, the magical lightscapes set the garden paths aglow. The lightscapes are interactive; this year’s special highlight is Starry Night. The show features meteor showers and twinkling stars. There will also be an interactive laser show, acrobatic performances, Glow Party, animal stilt walkers, DJ, and a live band. Please note that all the animal exhibits close at 8 p.m. Visit the Jacksonville Zoo website to learn more by clicking here. 

Swamp Stomp Music Festival

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The Swamp Stomp Music Festival is happening this weekend! Come out to the Tallahassee Museum and enjoy a lovely evening of live music. Come early and make a day of it! The Museum offers a 52-acre park, walking trails, a treetop zipline adventure, explore historic buildings, and more. Music will begin at 4pm; there will be a selection of folk, blues, contemporary acoustic, highlands, and more. For more information including a detailed lineup, visit the Museum event page here. 

Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival

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Today is the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival. Come out to George Core Park in Port St. Joe for a full day of family fun and learning! The festival’s purpose is sea turtle education; there will be local teams from several education and conservation organizations present to give talks on the importance of the local coastal habitats for sea turtles. There will also be live music, food vendors, kids’ activities, and a Sea Creatures Parade. Learn more by visiting the event website HERE. 

World Turtle Day

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Today is World Turtle Day! This annual event was created to celebrate, raise awareness, and advocate for the conservation of turtles and tortoises worldwide. Turtles and tortoises are associated with wisdom and perseverance in human fables, tales, and stories. In nature, they act as keystone species and indicators of an ecosystem’s health.

Gopher Tortoises, for instance, dig extensive burrows that save over 350 different species during forest fires. Sea turtles help keep sea kelp heathy and act as key prey and/or predator during their lifecycle. To celebrate, learn more by visiting the official World Turtle Day website OR support local turtle conservation efforts like the Navarre Conservation Center by browsing their website, donating to their organization, or visiting their Center.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Event

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Next weekend is Arbor Day! First celebrated in Nebraska in 1874, Arbor Day is dedicated to planting trees and celebrating their various roles in the world. Trees do a lot including but not limited to boosting our mental health, eating greenhouse gases, cooling the areas around them, supporting wildlife, and cleaning the air!

To celebrate, Panama City Quality of Life is working with IFAS to give FREE trees to Bay County citizens. This offer is only good while supplies last, so come out early to secure your River Birch or Red Maple! The tree giveaway will be held from 9am-1pm at McKenzie Park. There will also be a free kid craft and tree planting kit at Oaks by the Bay Park from 10-11am while supplies last. Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page here. 

New Year Hikes

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Looking to stick to your new year goal of being more active? Want to spend more time outdoors? Come out to explore the Gulf Coast’s coastal beauty this January! There will be four different hikes guided by a ranger this month. The hikes will be on the beach at the Rish Recreation Area in Port St. Joe, so come prepared for sun, sand, and fun. The hikes will be held on January 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. Visit the Florida State Parks website here to learn more or contact the organizers with questions. 

Right Whale Festival

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Today is the last day of the Right Whale Festival in Fernandina Beach. Come down to Main Beach Park (32 N. Fletcher Ave) from 10am to 3pm to participate in this annual festival. Right Whale is part of a regional effort to educate the public on the endangered North Atlantic right whales. They give birth and nurse their young in the warmer waters offered by the coast of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Sadly, there are fewer than 350 right whales remaining. The festival advocates for and educates on the protection of the species from extinction. There will be whale-themed activities, marine exhibits, live music, arts and craft vendors, kids’ activities, a beach clean-up, food, and more! The event is FREE for all ages. Learn more by visiting the official festival website here. 

Guided Three Rivers State Park Hike

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a guided walk at Three Rivers State Park this September 30th. The hike will begin at 8am and take participants along the Dry Creek Loop Trail. The trail is a distance of .60 miles and should be completed by 11am at the latest. The hike is rated as a beginner to moderate hike. The guide will talk about the terrain, habitat, flora, fauna, and more. 

The guided hike will cost $5 per person. The cost includes entry to the park itself, the guided tour, water, and snacks! It is recommended that participants bring reusable water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, and anything else they’d need to remain comfortable in the Florida heat. 

Visit the Jackson County Extension Office at 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 3, Marianna, FL or visit http://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com to register. If you have any questions, call the extension office at 850-482-9620.

Benefits of Backyard Bats

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Sandhills Native Nursery is opening for Fall hours on September 22nd. To celebrate, they are hosting a Benefits of Backyard Bats class with Cre8ive by N8ure. The class will run from 9:30am – 10:30am on September 23rd and 24th. Led by Nate, creator of Cre8ive by N8ure and bat educator, the class will focus on how the bats provide insect management, their reproductive cycle, their habitat and diet, and flora and fauna that is beneficial for bats. Due to parking limitations, the class has only 10 spots and you must register to secure your parking spot; the cost is $10 per car. However, these spots are counted by the vehicle not individual, so the nursery encourages carpooling with friends or family. 

Additionally, there will be a second class opportunity on both days. If you are interested in building your own bat house to take home, hang out at the nursery for roughly 30 minutes after the Benefits of Backyard Bats. The delay is designed to give participants time to grab a drink, walk around the nursery, or have a quick lunch. Please note that the Build Your Own Bathouse class costs $45 per person. All required materials and instruction from bat house building expert Nate will be included in the cost. 

Proceeds from both classes will be donated to a local organization that assists bats (organization TBA). Visit SNN’s event website HERE to sign up for the class and/or Bat House creation event.