With acres upon acres of state and county parks throughout our area, St. Augustine and St. Johns County are the perfect places to get outside and learn. From hiking through the dunes to wildlife education and fishing instruction, there’s plenty to do this month. So we’ve rounded up 15 talks, tours, classes, and lectures hosted by the state and county parks that are happening during the month of November. Get out and enjoy the beautiful Florida fall weather (and say goodbye to the heat!) in our slice of paradise.
Ancient Dunes Trail Hike
Anastasia State Park
November 6, 10-11am
Learn more about the diverse ecosystems of Anastasia State Park on this volunteer-led dune hike. Explore the dune system and the maritime hammocks. Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, drinking water, bug spray, and sunscreen. The tour will meet at the Hilltop Picnic Area near the parking lot. The tour is only a mile long, but the sloping dunes can be a demanding trail.
www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia
Reptiles of Florida
Ponte Vedra Beach Library
November 6, 3-4pm
Join St. Johns County Parks and Recreation for a family-friendly conversation about the unique reptiles that call Florida home. This is an educational program that will feature live animals. This event is free and open to all ages. Seating is first-come, first-served. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index
Treasures of the Beach
Nease Beachfront Park
November 7, 10-11am
November 12, 2-3pm
Our East Coast beaches are constantly changing and bringing new items up for us to see. Shells, sea beans, grasses, shark teeth, and marine debris are just a few of the items the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department will help you identify. Join St. Johns County Park Naturalist Kelly Ussia for an engaging walk and talk about the amazing treasures you can find at the beach. This program is free and open to all ages, but registration is required.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index
Second Saturdays Family Seining
GTM Research Reserve
November 9, 9-11am
On the second Saturdays of each month, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) hosts a family seining class – an opportunity for the whole family to learn how to use seine nets to collect various fish and crab. All necessary gear for seining is supplied by the reserve. The program is free, but reservations are required.
www.gtmnerr.org/event/family-seining-72/all
Tour of the Old Spanish Quarries
Anastasia State Park
November 9, 10-11am
This historical look into the Old Spanish Quarries will give guests an inside perspective of how the quarry was used and how the use of coquina influenced the architecture and history of St. Augustine. For the tour, check in at the ranger station then head to the quarry parking area. The tour is free with park admission.
www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia
Second Saturday Plant Sale
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
November 9, 10am-2pm
Explore the rows of rare and beautiful plants – all of which you can take home to your own garden! View the magnificent natural beauty of the gardens at the 425-acre coastal park and learn a few gardening tricks at the cultivation workshop. The workshop will begin at 11am. The event is free with park admission.
www.washingtonoaks.org
Bird Walk at Anastasia State Park
Anastasia State Park
November 10 and 20, 8-10am
Calling amateur bird lovers and birding experts alike! Led by a park volunteer and naturalist, the walk leads guests along the beaches, boardwalk, and nature trails of the state park. Anastasia Park boasts a diverse variety of shore birds, marsh birds, and hammock birds, as well as migratory birds in the winter months that cannot be seen any other time of the year. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring binoculars, water, and walking shoes.
www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia
Guided Beach Walk
GTM Research Reserve
November 16, 9-11am
This monthly beach hike takes guests through the Guana South Beach location and teaches them all about the various species of animals and plants that call the beach home. Guides recommend that participants wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection and a camera. The guided tour is free, but there is a $3 per vehicle parking fee.
www.gtmnerr.org/visit/events
Let’s Talk Turtle
Anastasia State Park
November 16, 10-11am
Head to Anastasia State Park to learn all the fantastic facts about our beloved sea turtles. Rangers will teach guests about how to identify turtles, how they nest and hatch, and how we can help them survive the many dangers they encounter in our oceans. This program is family friendly and will take place at the Sea Turtle Pavilion near the Island Beach Grill. The lecture is free with regular park admission.
www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia
Bird Walk at Fort Mose
Fort Mose State Park
November 17, 8-10am
Led by a park volunteer, this delightful morning walk will introduce you to the variety of avian species that call Fort Mose home. Situated along the Atlantic Flyway, the park boasts a number of natural environments where birds thrive – including an estuarine tidal marsh, a maritime hammock, and “Rookery Island,” which is home to many nesting species in the spring. Since this is Florida, guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring water and walking shoes. You should also bring binoculars and a field guide, if you have one. The tour is free and open to the public.
www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-mose-historic-state-park
River-to-Sea Trail Walk
River-to-Sea Preserve
November 20, 9-11am
Explore this beautiful preserve alongside a GTM Research Reserve guide to see shorebirds, mollusks, and shells, as well as how Native Americans lived in the area. Learn more about the make-up of coquina rock, how beach vines and sea oats help anchor dunes, and why the dune ecosystem needs protection. The tour is free, but reservations are required. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes.
www.eventbrite.com/e/marineland-river-to-sea-preserve-trail-walk-tickets
Canopy Shores Owl Prowl
Canopy Shores Park
November 20, 5-7:30pm
Join St. Johns County Park Naturalist AyoLane Halusky and learn about the creatures of the night. We will explore our county parks at sunset in search of our resident owls who live in our park. Bring your questions and share your stories about the night time forest activities. This event is free.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index
Owl & Sunset Symphony
Beluthahatchee Park
November 22, 5:15-7:30pm
Join St. Johns County Park Naturalist AyoLane Halusky and become a phenologist for the evening. Learn about the owls and enjoy nature’s symphony as we experience the transition from light to dark. Water birds and owls often come out to join. A representative from the Stetson Kennedy foundation will be on-hand to share a little local history. Please note there will be a discussion about owls and night time creatures and then we will find a place outside on the deck to watch the bird fly into roost for the evening as the sun starts to go down. This event is free.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index
Gobble Gobble! Learn About Wild Turkeys
Anastasia Island Library
November 26, 2-3pm
Turkeys are a symbol of the holiday season, but what do you know about wild turkeys? Join St. Johns County Park Naturalist Kelly Ussia for a fun, festive and information talk about this charismatic bird. This event is free and open to all ages. Seating is first-come, first-served. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index
Sunset Dolphin Beach Walk
Anastasia State Park
November 30, 4-5pm
Join an experienced guide from Marineland Dolphin Adventure for a beautiful sunset walk along the beach. They’ve partnered with St. Johns County Parks and Recreation to lead participants on a peaceful exploration of the beaches and water, looking for local dolphins. Learn all about the anatomy and behavior of dolphins and local whale species as you keep an eye out on the ocean. The walk is free but reservations are required.
www.marineland.net/events
Featured image via Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
