Field Trip: Sunday, March 12, 9 am - 12 pm
FishHawk Nature Preserve, North Trail, 3931 Lithia Springs Rd,
Lithia FL 33547 ($2 fee to enter Lithia Springs Park, where trail begins)
The north portion of the FishHawk Preserve Trail begins at Lithia Springs Park and is adjacent to the Alafia River for the first part. The trail continues southwest to near FishHawk Creek. We should see spring blooming Lyonias, Vaccineums and maybe Styrax and fringe trees.
We recommend wearing a hat, long pants and close-toed shoes. Don't forget drinking water and sunscreen. Insect repellent sometimes useful.
To register, contact Tina (Mable C) Patterson, email mablepatterson@hotmail.com or phone (305) 298-6381 , text or call and leave your name and message and contact information.
Field Trip: Saturday, March 18, 9:30 am - 12 pm
Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park, 8001 Double Branch Rd, Tampa 33635
We are invited to join Joel Jackson and the Nature Coast Chapter of FNPS on a field trip to Upper Tampa Bay Park. This is one of several parks for which Joel led design and planning. This is a great chance to visit a beautiful park and socialize with our neighboring chapter members.
The following description is provided by Nature Coast.
"Hillsborough County founded the Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park in 1982 saving the environmentally sensitive terrain from potential being reconfigured into a waterfront subdivision. It now provides a protected area for nature study and passive recreation. The 596-acre peninsular park hugs the bay’s northern shoreline and protects valuable coastal habitat and ecological communities that include mangrove forests, salt marshes, freshwater marshes, oyster beds, coastal hammocks, and pine flatwoods.
We will start the morning in the Environmental Education Center to view the interpretive exhibits that describe the park environment, history, and geology, and live animal displays. Joel will provide a short presentation and then we will head out on the trails and boardwalk. There are three short, easy nature trails – the Eagle, the Otter, and the Bobcat – each explores different aspects of the park’s ecosystems. Gopher tortoises, zebra swallowtail butterflies, and bobcats live here. Red shouldered hawks and bald eagles are sometimes seen near the live oaks and other hardwood trees near the wetlands. The shoreline and waters attract park other birds and other wildlife, including Roseate spoonbills, ospreys, otters, bottle nosed dolphins, and manatees. There should be lots of wildflowers blooming in March. ". Kayaking and picnicking are available in the park.
We recommend wearing a hat, long pants and close-toed shoes. Don't forget drinking water and sunscreen. Insect repellent sometimes useful.
To register, contact Tina (Mable C) Patterson, email mablepatterson@hotmail.com or phone (305) 298-6381 , text or call and leave your name and message and contact information.
2023 Fall Camping Trip, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, October 19-22
Contact Tina (see above) for more information
Lettuce Lake Native Plant Walks, 2023 Schedule
No Walk in December
Suncoast sponsors native plant walks at Lettuce Lake Park on the first Saturday every month except July, August and December.These walks are designed for park visitors who want to learn about Florida native plants. We do a slow stroll pointing out the native plants that the park supports.
Walks begin in the Native Plant Garden behind the Visitor Center at 9 am. After a short presentation, we leave from the native plant garden and walk the paved trail and nature trail. Visitors should keep appropriate distance and/or wear a mask. Please do not attend if you feel unwell.
Tampa Audubon 'Beginning Bird Walks' meet on the second Saturday of each month at Lettuce Lake. Participants meet at 9 am (8 am in summer) in the parking lot by the Visitor Center. Binoculars are available for loan. Please visit Tampa Audubon's website for the status of this walk.
The Native Plant and Bird Walks are free and open to the public although there is a $2 park entrance fee.
