Hosted by the St Johns Co. Visitors and Conventions Bureau
What's Happening
If you've ever thought you'd like to learn more about the natural environment, its beauty, its inner workings and ecological challenges, Florida's First Coast Birding & Nature Festival is the ideal opportunity to do so. With more than thirty special events conducted by noted naturalists, biologists and resident nature lovers, your only challenge will be deciding how much you can take in.
The Nature Expo will feature manufacturers, distributors, retailers and non-profit organizations at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.
For more information about the festival go to www.Getaway4Nature.com
Come witness one of Florida's greatest scenes from the comfort of a pontoon boat - sunset! Join us on the Matanzas River and see for yourself what makes this place so special. We will cruise through the coastal estuary in search of great photo opportunities. The last several hours of daylight are a wonderful time to find wildlife in the estuary. Can you think of a nicer way to say goodbye to daylight?
Feel free to move about the boat. Pontoon boats are very stable, which make them the perfect platform for taking photos on the water. In fact, it's a good opportunity to break out the telephoto lenses.
Often times we encounter dolphins, manatees, wading birds, shore birds and more. Bring your best camera so that you can get the best photos!
* $40 per person (for all ages) * 1.5 hrs
4/12 - 6:30 pm to 8:00 p.m.
4/13 - 6:30 pm to 8:00 p.m.
4/15 - 6:30 pm to 8:00 p.m.
A Birding Tour by Kayak
All throughout the year, the coastal region of north Florida plays host to a large variety of birds, both migratory and resident. Many of the species are found in and around the body of water known as the coastal lagoon, which is sandwiched between the barrier islands and the mainland. It is in the serenity of the lagoon where our tour will take place.
One of the best ways to see these birds is by boat, and kayaks are the stealthiest. Come with us and explore the waters behind Washington Oaks Gardens State Park as we search for birds of the coastal lagoon. During this little photo safari, we will paddle stable double kayaks that allow us to be less intrusive by maintaining a smaller group size. No kayaking experience necessary.
Some possible sightings in this location during the spring migration include osprey, bald eagles, swallow-tailed kites, great blue herons, great white egrets, black-bellied plovers and least terns, just to name a few.
The tour will launch from Washington Oaks and be lead by a professional guide from Coastal Outdoor Center. The tour fee includes entry to the park, so upon completion of the tour, feel free to roam the beautiful gardens.
* $45 per person, includes park entry fee (for ages 12 and up) * 2 hrs (<=2 miles)
4/12 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
This naturalist lead tour is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about one of northeast Florida's most precious jewels, the coastal estuary. You'll begin this experience at the new Environmental Educational Center of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM NERR). GTM Reserve education staff will give an informative introduction to coastal system before getting on the water. Then weÕll all climb into a stable, double kayak and paddle out into the estuary. Along the way, we will search for herons, egrets, osprey and other water dependent species that inhabit the area. But most importantly, you'll learn about what makes this coastal system so special and in need of protection.
The tour fee includes entry to the GTM Reserve, so upon completion of the tour, feel free to have a closer look around at the exhibits or hike the 9 miles of upland trails.
* $55 per person (for ages 12 and up) * 3 hrs (<=4 miles)
4/13 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Get into nature and book your reservation today for this kayaking eco-tour that is sure to be the highlight of your day! The Moses Creek Conservation Area is a 2,000 acre preserve surrounding one of St. Johns County's few remaining undeveloped tidal creeks. It plays host to seven different natural communities including upland mixed forest and estuarine tidal marsh, just to name a few.
Join our naturalist as he or she shares with you the wonders of this ecosystem. The tour begins in the seat of a stable, double kayak paddling through the coastal estuary and into the conservation area. Along the way, you'll learn about the plants and animals that live in the estuary and why they are in need of protection.
Bring your camera. You won't want to miss any photo opportunities! This tour will be one to remember.
Price includes all kayaking equipment, instruction, and bottled water.
* $50 per person (for ages 12 and up) * 3 hrs (<=4 miles)
4/14 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
A Nature Tour by Kayak
As a state canoe trail, Pellicer Creek is surely one of the most beautiful creek systems in northeast Florida. Faver-Dykes State Park is just as beautiful, but has gone undiscovered by much of the general public. The park is made up of a diverse landscape with a hardwood forest bordering the tidal marshes along Pellicer Creek. Within the Park are pinelands, hammocks, swamps, bayheads, and marshes. This variety of plant communities accounts for the abundant wildlife here. The peaceful and tranquil setting of this biologically rich area offers the unhurried visitor an opportunity to relax, reflect, explore, discover and wonder.
The tour will begin at Faver-Dykes and explore along the parkÕs shores and along through the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve. After some basic instruction, you will be paddling stable double kayaks complete with all the necessities. On this kayak tour, you will experience the inhabitants of the creek, the vegetation and the array of different waterfowl that flock here.
The tour fee includes entry to the park so upon completion of the tour, feel free to roam the beautiful park. No kayaking experience necessary!
* $45 per person (for ages 12 and up) * 3 hrs (<=4 miles)
4/15 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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291 Cubbedge Road
St. Augustine, FL 32080
904-471-4144