St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department continues its weekly winter Nature Series with guided, educational hikes for March These free weekly programs run through April 30 and give participants a chance to explore some of the 42 miles of hiking trails that are located throughout the County’s 7,000 acres of Environmental Significant Lands.
* Saturday, March 5 from 7 p .m. - midnight - Stargazing at Bluefield, 30501 Bluefield Ranch Road, Port St. Lucie. Calling all beginning stargazers: Learn to identify some of the planets and stars, miles from the city lights. The local astronomy club will have their professional telescopes to view. Bring a chair or blanket. Binoculars, red filtered flashlights and bug spray are also recommended.
* Saturday, March 12 from 8:45 - 11:45 a.m. - 10-Mile Creek Birding Paddle, 3401 Gordy Road, Fort Pierce. You deserve a good paddling: Come experience a short paddle up creek with other intermediate paddlers to a remote rookery. Please bring your own canoe/kayak with safety gear. Participants will meet at the 10-Mile Creek Natural Area.
* Saturday, March 19 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. - Indrio Savannahs Birding Trail Hike, 5100 Tozour Road, Fort Pierce. Bring your binoculars and enjoy a peaceful morning among the birds of Florida. Part of the statewide Great Florida Birding Trail, this site offers visitors a chance to view some of Florida’s rare and endangered birds. Birds commonly observed include; the Florida Scrub Jay, Bald Eagle, and a host of waders, raptors, songbirds and wood peckers.
* Saturday, March 26 from 9 - 11 a.m. - Plant Invaders and Historical Hike at St. Lucie Village, 305 Torpey Road, Fort Pierce. Learn a little local history along with information about the plants that invading St. Lucie County. A naturalist will lead a hike to historic sites from the prohibition era and discuss plants to look out for in your own backyard.
Anyone wishing to participate in these unique nature programs needs to register at least one day in advance. Programs are free, but limited to the first 15 people. Purchased through a voter-approved bond referendum, St. Lucie County manages 24 preserves that are open to the public for passive recreation.
To register for the free, weekly Nature Series or for more details about environmental lands, call the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department at 772-462-2525 or visit: www.stlucieco.gov/erd.
