Florida Crackers Chapter

First Ever Birdwatching Tour of the Lake Alto Preserve

Date: Saturday, February 4, 2012    Time:  9:00 AM – 3:00 PM    Description: This 670 acre preserve in the Suwannee River Management District has never been opened to the public. Home to breeding Bald Eagle, Ospreys and rafts of wintering ducks, it is a winter birding paradise! Join FTA and Alachua Forever naturalists on a tour of the cypress domes, pine flatwoods, marsh and fields of the Lake Alto Preserve. The nature walk will be fun and educational for families and scout groups.

Exploring Watermelon Ponds

Date: Saturday,March 3, 2012        Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM   Description: Join Alachua Forever Susie Hetrick and Florida Trail Association Executive Director Dennis Miranda as you explore the wilds of Watermelon Ponds.  As spring matures, the pine flatwoods, limestone wetlands and scrub pinelands are home to a bevy of rare and breeding wildlife; Sherman Fox Squirrels, Gopher Tortoise and Sandhill Crane. See seldom glimpsed birds such as the Eastern Bluebird, Red headed Woodpecker and the increasingly rare American Kestrel; all that nest in the region.  The nature walk will be fun and educational for families and scout groups.  Wear hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers. Bring mosquito repellent, sun block and extra water.  Wear light colored clothing and hat to shield from the sun.

Nature Tour of Alachua County’s Barr Hammock

Date: Saturday, April 7, 2012            Time: 9:00 am –1:00 pm    Description: At 5400 acres, the wilds of Barr Hammock await the hiker and nature enthusiast! This exclusive nature tour of the long leaf pines, pinelands scrub, wetlands, limestone sinks and wetlands of Barr Hammock is even more special in early spring as the woods will be filled with blooming wildflowers, singing songbirds and fluttering butterflies.  Join FTA ED Dennis Miranda and Alachua Forever Kelly McPherson as you hike the wood roads, hiking trails and shoreline paths of these wild lands.

Nature Tour of the Turkey Creek Hammock Preserve

Date:  Saturday, May 5, 2012           Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM   Description: Opening the Turkey Creek Hammock Preserve for the public, the FTA is partnering with Alachua Forever to explore the untrammeled upland forest, basin swamp, mysterious sinkholes and scattered wetlands of this little known wild area adjacent to the San Felasco State Park.  Join the Florida Trail Association and Alachua Forever naturalists as they lead you on a tour of this fabulous county preserve where the Turkey Creek riffles from different tributaries with fluctuating elevations between 110 and 180 feet. Get glimpses of Swallow tailed Kite, Gopher Tortoise and other rare wildlife on the tour.

The 2nd National Trails Day Hike of the Mill Creek Preserve

Date: Saturday, June 2, 2012          Time: 9:00 AM – 1: 00 PM   Description:  Join the Florida Trail Association and Alachua Forever naturalists on the second annual hike of the Mill Creek Preserve. Home to the southernmost occurrence of American Beech trees and Mountain Laurel shrubs, this streams, wetlands, upland forests will be alive with the sights and sounds of nature on this late spring day. Wear hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers. Bring mosquito repellent, sun block and extra water.  Wear light colored clothing and hat to shield from the sun.

For all events….First Saturday of the month. Meet at the Florida Trail Association for a caravan drive to the destination at 9:00 am. Lunch is included. Fee: $25.00 per person. To register please call Lauraine Lynch at the Florida Trail Association at (352) 378-8823. Tour is limited to 15 registrants. Loaner binoculars are available on a limited basis. Free water bottles will be available for all.