Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas summer adventures

Emily Jane Murray reported upcoming adventures available to Historic City News readers beginning this week and continuing through June — all presented or sponsored by the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Most of the events are free to attend, some require a parking fee.

GUIDED TRAIL WALK AT RIVER TO SEA PRESERVE, MARINELAND
— Free and Open to the Public–
Join the GTM Research Reserve on Wednesday, June 5, at 9 a.m. for a guided hike in Flagler County’s “River to Sea Preserve.” Stroll along a mile-and-half trail through wooded coastal hammock to the Matanzas River. Expect to learn about nature’s bountiful vegetation and observe signs of wildlife. Hear tales of Native American lore, including how Indians made use of various plants for food and medicinal purposes. Meet the guide in the parking lot of the River to Sea Preserve. See the River to Sea Preserve sign located on the west side of A1A at the southern end of the town of Marineland. A directional “NERR” road sign will also be placed at the entrance. Be sure to wear comfortable, closed toe shoes. Please RSVP online at http://gtmnerrmarinelandtrail.eventbrite.com or by calling (904) 823-4500.

NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
–Open to the Public through RSVP–
Carly Swatek (GTM Research Reserve Volunteer Coordinator) is offering New Volunteer Orientations on the first Friday of the month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. All new volunteers are required to attend or to have met with Carly prior to beginning their volunteer work at the Reserve. If you are currently a volunteer at the GTM Research Reserve but haven’t been through an official orientation, you are also welcome to attend. Attendees will receive training in all aspects of the GTM Research Reserve, learn general volunteer rules and responsibilities and take tour of the Environmental Education Center. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Carly at Carly.Swatek@dep.state.fl.us by June 5.

SECOND SATURDAY TRAIL HIKE
— 1.5 mile guided walk through Guana Trails —
The GTM Research Reserve will host a trail walk every 2nd Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Join GTM Research Reserve staff and/or volunteers for a 1.5 mile walk that the entire family will enjoy. Meet at the GTM Research Reserve’s Trailhead Pavilion located west of the Guana Dam. Wear comfortable closed toe shoes. There is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. Please RSVP by going to http://gtmnerr2ndtrailhike.eventbrite.com or by calling (904) 823-4500.

MORE THAN YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT….BATS, BEES, BUTTERFLIES AND MORE!
–Free and Open to the Public–
On the second Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon, visitors can learn more than they ever wanted to know about plant and animal life found in estuarine habitats. Get a closer look at a new topic every month. June 8 will feature pollinators of all shapes and sizes! Learn the important role that bats, bees and butterflies, among others, play in our environment. The program is free with paid entrance and will take place at the Environmental Education Center located at 505 Guana River Rd in South Ponte Vedra Beach. Please RSVP by going to http://gtmnerrwantedtoknow.eventbrite.com or by calling (904) 823-4500.

FRIENDS OF THE GTM RESERVE MEETING
— Open to the Public —
The Friends of the GTM Reserve will hold its monthly meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. on June 11. The public is welcome to attend. For further information please call Teri Webley at (904) 823-4527.

MARINELAND BEACH WALK
— Free and Open to the Public —
On Friday, June 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., join the GTM Research Reserve for a hike through Flagler County’s River to Sea Preserve Oceanside at the Town of Marineland. Expect to see shorebirds and learn about the geology, sand, shells, mollusks, heavy minerals, coquina rock, and the value of dunes and dune vegetation.

The GTM Research Reserve is on the west side of A1A at Ocean Shore Blvd, at the southern end of the Town of Marineland. See the GTM Research Reserve sign and a temporary event sign posted at the A1A entrance. Please RSVP online at http://gtmnerrmarinelandbeach.eventbrite.com or by calling (904) 823-4500. Be sure to wear comfortable, closed toe shoes.

GUIDED BEACH EXPLORATION
— Beach stroll and discovery —
On the third Saturday of the month from 8:30 to 10 a.m., join GTM Research Reserve volunteers Rick and Roz Edwards for a beach walk at the Guana South beach location. Learn about the animals that call the beach their home as well as seashells and other interesting facts. This is a “Beaches 101” experience that the entire family will enjoy. There is a $3/per vehicle parking fee. After the walk, visit the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center (EEC) or enjoy our many miles of trails. The EEC is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach FL 32082. Admission fee into the EEC is $2 for adults, $1 for children age 10-17 and children under ten are free.

Space is limited so please RSVP. You can make reservations at http://gtmnerrbeachexploration.eventbrite.com/ or by calling (904) 823-4500. Please provide your email and phone number in case we need to cancel due to inclement weather.

MONTHLY MARINELAND LECTURE
— Free and Open to the Public –
“The southeastern United States consistently experiences more wildfires per year than any other region of the nation,” says David Godwin, PhD. On Tuesday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., he will give a presentation at the GTM Research Reserve at Marineland with the latest research data on wildfire resources for homeowners, communities, businesses, landowners, and resource Managers.

Godwin’s presentation will include how to improve private and public lands management in Florida. He has extensive experience in southern ecosystems and investigation of wildfire burn severity, remote sensing mapping, and fire management impacts on forests and soil carbon. His PhD from the University of Florida is in fire science and forest resources.
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve field office is located at 9741 Ocean Shore Blvd. at A1A in the town of Marineland, Florida. Please make reservations by calling 904-823-4500 or online at http://gtmnerrmarinelandlecture.eventbrite.com.

MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP MEETING
— Open to the Public —
The GTM Research Reserve Management Advisory Group will hold a meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 19. The public is welcome to attend. For further information please call the Reserve at (904) 823-4500.

FAMILY SEINING ACTIVITY
–Free and Open to the Public–
Join GTM Research Reserve docents the last Saturday of every month from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. for a family seining activity. Visitors will get the chance to pull a seine net through Guana Lake, collecting species of fish, crabs and more, and then learn about the animals and their roles in the habitat. All necessary gear including waders and boots will be provided. The program is free with paid entrance and will take place at the Guana Dam Recreational Area. Please RSVP by going to http://gtmnerfamilyseine.eventbrite.com by calling (904) 823-4500.