21 St. Augustine Talks & Tours to Get You in Touch with Nature

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 21 talks, tours, classes, and lectures hosted by the state and county parks that are happening during the month of April. Get out and enjoy the beautiful Florida spring weather in our slice of paradise.

Sunset Paddle
Salt Run at Anastasia State Park
April 6, 13, and 20
On three Saturday evenings in April, this interpretive guided tour will let guests explore the beauty of natural Florida in the light of the setting sun. Keep an eye out for the local wildlife and lush plant life! In addition to park admission, the program (including boat rental) is $35 for adults and $25 for children ages 6 to 16. The program is $20 for those who provide their own boat.
www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Kayak Fishing
Six Mile Creek, Hallowes Cove
April 10 and 17
Join Park Naturalist AyoLane Halusky for a morning of freshwater fishing while you explore various creeks, coves, and the St. Johns River. Bring your own boat and fishing license. The cost of this program is $20. The April 10th kayaking will take place at Six Mile Creek; the April 17th event will take place at Hallowes Cove. For more info and to register, contact AyoLane Halusky at [email protected] or 904-209-0348.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

Freshwater Fishing 101
Shands Pier
April 10, 17, and 24
Learn the ins and outs of freshwater fishing in Florida. Sign up for one class or attend the whole series. Bring your own gear and learn while you fish! Please note that all participants must have a Freshwater Fishing License or be a Florida Resident age 65 and up. Each class will tackle a different topic. Visit the website below to register. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at [email protected] or 904-209-0335.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

Old Spanish Quarries
Anastasia State Park
April 10 and 28, 10am
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

Bird Walk
Fort Mose
April 11, 8:30-10:30am
Led by a park volunteer and free to the public, this guided bird walk wanders through the park surrounding Fort Mose. Fort Mose is located along the Atlantic Flyway and boasts several natural environments where birds thrive, including an estuarine tidal marsh, a maritime hammock, and “Rookery Island,” which is home to many nesting species this season.
www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-mose-historic-state-park

Guided Beach Walk
GTM Research Reserve
April 11, 9-10:30am
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

A Walk on the Wild Side
Anastasia State Park
April 11, 9:30-11:30am
This fun and educational hike through the park will let participants enjoy the beautiful shoreline as they learn more about the estuarine habitat of Salt Run and the maritime hammocks. This walk is guided by park volunteers and free with park admission.
www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Second Saturdays Family Seining
GTM Research Reserve
April 12, 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

Matanzas Inlet Guided Hike
Matanzas Inlet
April 12, 9:30-11:30am
Hosted by the National Park Service and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, this tour will wander around the Matanzas Inlet shores and teach guests about the creatures that call the shores home, the local flora, the movement of the sand, and the ever-changing shoreline. The tour is free but reservations are required.
www.eventbrite.com/e/matanzas-inlet-walk-tickets

Native Landscaping Lecture Series: Lawn Care
THE PLAYERS Community Center
April 12, 10-11am
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation has partnered with UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County for a lecture on Florida-Friendly Landscaping with a focus on how to irrigate, fertilize, and maintain your lawn utilizing Florida-Friendly principles. This program is free, but you must register on Eventbrite to attend. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at [email protected] or 904-209-0335.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

Kid’s Beach Yoga
SJC Pier Pavilion
April 12, 4:45-5:45pm
Learn to relax your mind and body with some simple, kid-friendly stretches, exercises, and activities. Please wear loose clothing and bring your own towel or mat. This program is free and open to kids ages 4 to 12. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at [email protected] or 904-209-0335.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

Bird Walk
Anastasia State Park
April 14, 8:30-10:30am
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

Coquina Rock Beach Walks
Washington Oaks State Park
April 15, 11am
Led by park volunteer Jim Gleason, this tour takes visitors along the beach to explore the second-largest outcropping of coquina rock on the Atlantic Coast. Tour participants will learn all about the geological makeup of coquina and its role in the beach ecosystem. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. The tour is free with park admission.
www.floridastateparks.org/park/Washington-Oaks

Living With Snakes + Gators
St. Johns Golf Club
April 15, 3-4pm
Join Park Naturalist Kelly Ussia for a family-friendly presentation about the snakes and alligators found throughout Florida and maybe even in your backyard. This program is open to all ages and is free, but you must RSVP to participate. For more info and to register, contact Kara Pound at [email protected] or 904-209-0383.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

Let’s Talk Turtle
Anastasia State Park
April 17 and 27, 1-2pm
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

Afternoon Insight: Right Whales
GTM Research Reserve
April 17, 3-4pm
These free Animal Insight seminars let guests learn more about the plant and animal life of the estuarine habitat. This lecture will be on the Southern right whale, one of three species of large baleen whales of the genus Eubalaena. The program is free, but reservations are required.
www.gtmnerr.org/event/afternoon-insight-right-whales-2/

Wild Edibles + Medicinal Plants
Vaill Point Park
April 18, 10am-12pm
Join Park Naturalist AyoLane Halusky and learn about wild edibles and medicinal plants found in our parks. Bring your questions and journals to record your findings. This program is free and open to all ages. You must RSVP on Eventbrite to participate. For more info, contact AyoLane Halusky at [email protected] or 904-209-0348.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

River-to-Sea Trail Walk
River-to-Sea Preserve
April 19, 9-11am
Join a GTM Research Reserve guide as they lead a group along the trail, teaching about shorebirds, mollusks, and shells, as well as how Native Americans lived in the area. Guests will also learn about the make-up of coquina rock, how beach vines and sea oats help anchor dunes, and why the dune ecosystem needs protection. The program is free, but reservations are required.
www.gtmnerr.org/event/beach-exploration-12/all

McCullough Creek Kayak Trips
McCullough Creek Soft Launch
Daily Trips April 26-28
Come explore McCullough Creek and the St. Johns River with St. Johns County Park Naturalists as you learn about the unique history and diverse wildlife of the area. SJC Resident providing own boat $20; Non-SJC Resident providing own boat $30; SJC Resident using a county boat $40; Non-SJC Resident using a county boat $50 When setting up a reservation, include your name, phone number, email, date of trip you would like to attend, residency status, and if you will be using a county kayak. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at [email protected] or 904-209-0335.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

Earth Day 2019 Celebration
Washington Oaks State Park
April 27, 10am-4pm
Join in the Earth Day celebrations at Washington Oaks State Park. Activities for the whole family will be offered, including live entertainment, prize drawings, arts and crafts vendors, and plenty of food and drink. Several environmental groups will be on hand to provide educational displays and talks. Nature programs are ongoing throughout the day, covering such topic as butterflies, Florida-friendly landscaping, dolphins, and raptors. Admission is a $5 donation.
www.washingtonoaks.org/earth-day—april

Jaws of the Sea
Nease Beachfront Park
April 30, 10-11am
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation has partnered with Marineland Dolphin Adventure for an interactive guided beach walk all about sharks. Learn about shark biology, common sharks of our area, and local shark research as well as human and shark encounters. Participants will even get a chance to look for their own shark teeth to take home. This program is free, but you must register on Eventbrite to attend. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at [email protected] or 904-209-0335.
www.sjcfl.us/CountyNaturalist/index

 

Find more events in St. Augustine by visiting our online calendar of events! Featured image via St. Johns County Parks and Recreation.