Outdoors and Nature
Our Outdoor and Nature experts, Sandra Friend and John Keatley, travel around the region exploring the fabulous springs, rivers, trails, and hidden treasures that make up our ten county Natural North Florida region.
Hike, Bike and Camp at Paynes Prairie State Park’s South Side, in Alachua County, Florida
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is biologically, geologically and historically unique. The park became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Noted artist and naturalist William Bartram called it the great Alachua Savannah when he wrote about his visit to the prairie in 1774. The State Park …
Bike, Hike or Ride Your Horse at San Felasco Hammock State Park, in Alachua County, Florida
This preserve has one of the few remaining mature forests in Florida. The limestone outcrops and extreme changes in elevation provide ideal conditions for many species of hardwood trees, including several champion trees. Bobcats, white-tailed deer, gray foxes, turkeys, and many species of songbirds make their homes in the 18 natural communities found in the …
Open House at Cedar Key’s Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory, July 18, 2015
Be Safe on the Water This Summer
By: Bill Mahan, Florida Sea Grant Agent – UF IFAS Extension Bay County It’s that time of the year when our beaches and waters fill up with folks who want to enjoy their time soaking up some rays and playing in the water! However, the water can be a dangerous place, so be alert to …
World Sea Turtle Day Celebration, Gainesville, FL–June 20, 2015
World Sea Turtle Day Celebration Jun 20th 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Florida Museum – 3215 Hull Road, SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL 32611 GET DIRECTIONS Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day with the Sea Turtle Conservancy! Children and families are invited to tour the Museum’s sea turtle exhibit with …
Gulf Anglers–Don’t Forget To Register For CCA-Florida’s 2015 STAR Tournament!
Just a reminder for everyone to register for the CCA STAR Tournament. The Tournament runs until Labor Day 2015 and still has some fabulous prizes, valued at about $500,000. That’s a bunch of money and with more than 120 tagged redfish distributed along the Gulf coast, everyone has a chance to win. And there are …
Down The Less-Beaten Path Through The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
There’s nothing quite like the United States’ National Wildlife Refuge system, and Natural North Florida has three of the best– St. Marks, Lower Suwannee and Cedar Key. All are interesting and worth the trip, but The St. Marks Preserve, located in Wakulla County, in the middle of the Big Bend, is especially interesting to visitors …
61st Annual Watermelon Festival, Chiefland, FL–June 6, 2015
The 61st Annual Chiefland Watermelon Festival is coming up on June 6th. There will be contests, a parade, music, entertainment for the kids, and of course watermelon! This event will be taking place at the Train Depot Park in Chiefland from 8am to 2pm The Annual Watermelon Festival is perhaps the biggest event in Chiefland …
Finding Zen at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Take time for reflection with a meditative walk in nature at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville among 62 acres of thematic gardens along Lake Kanapaha
Splashdown at Hart Springs
While most visitors come to swim in the beautiful springs that flow into the Suwannee River, Hart Springs Park offers paddlers, campers, and hikers a place to play, too.