Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - County ERD Announces Weekly Nature Series For February

St. Lucie County's Environmental Resources Department continues its weekly winter Nature Series with guided, educational hikes in February. These free weekly programs run through May 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 Environmentally Significant Lands.

• Saturday, Feb. 11 from 5 - 7 p.m. – Owls, bats and other nocturnal creatures at Pinelands, 7601 VPI Grove Road, Port St. Lucie. Join us for a night hike as we call Barred and Great Horned Owls, detect bats using a bat detector and learn a "secret" recipe for attracting large, colorful moths. Participants should bring flashlights (headlamp type with red light highly recommended). For reservations call Patricia Norris at 772-453-4066.
• Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 – 11 a.m. – Habitat Restoration at Indrio Savannahs, 5275 Tozour Road, Fort Pierce. Take a leisurely hike through habitat recently restored for the threatened Gopher Tortoise. Learn how habitat restoration is accomplished and how it's helping many species make a comeback. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars/camera. For reservations call Patricia Norris at 772-453-4066.
• Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 – 11 a.m. – Archaeology and Ethnobotany at Spruce Bluff, 611 SE Dar Lane, Port St. Lucie. Don’t miss one of ERD’s most popular hikes. Learn how the earliest Native Americans in Florida utilized the abundant flora and fauna to build shelter, feed, and clothe themselves as we hike through a variety of habitats on our way to an ancient Indian Mound. For reservations call Patricia Norris at 772-453-4066.

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 more than two dozen preserves that are open to the public for passive recreation.

For more information about St. Lucie County’s Environmentally Significant Lands visit: www.stlucieco.gov/erd.