preserveinflorida

Weedon Island Preserve

Weedon Island Preserve is a natural and cultural gem in St Petersburg on Tampa Bay. Comprised mostly of marine aquatic and coastal ecosystems, with a few upland exceptions. It is home to many native plants and animals, a rich cultural history, and an educational facility. The native peoples lived at this site for thousands of years. Much of the preserve contains mosquito ditches constructed in the 1950s. These ditches help connect sitting pools of water to larger bodies, allowing predatory fish to feed off mosquito larvae rather than use pesticides in the area. Currently, the Preserve preserves this land’s unique natural and diverse cultural heritages. This can be found in the Educational Center and the preserve. Today, Weedon Island Preserve is set aside as a 3,190-acre natural area managed by Pinellas County.

The largest estuarine preserve in Pinellas County is well known for its birding and fishing. The preserve provides over 4.5 miles of nature trails for hiking, 2 miles of boardwalks and paved trails that are ADA accessible, and the remaining 2.7 miles are natural trail loops. At the end of the Tower Trail sits the observation tower and at 45-foot-tall, it is the tallest of its kind in Pinellas County. You can see most of the preserve, Tampa, and St Petersburg if the conditions are right!

If you are tired of walking on land and want to spend time on the water, you are in luck! Weedon Island also includes a 4-mile, self-guided canoeing/kayaking loop called the South Paddling Trail. Meandering through mangrove tunnels and out to the bay. If you don’t have your own vessel, no worries; a company on site provides tours that take you through the maze of mangrove tunnels. Other activities include fishing from the pier, a boat launch at the end of the road, and picnicking at any designated picnic tables provided through the park and trails.

Don’t forget to check the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center to learn about the natural history of the ancient native inhabitants of the area. Check the schedule of events because not only does Pinellas County sponsor events, UF/IFAS Extension agents also provide a wide variety of educational programs and events for the general public that are family-friendly and often free of charge. Monthly programs may include guided hikes, archaeology classes, speaker series, photography or birding meet-ups, and environmental sustainability workshops.

Amenities:
Educational Center
Wildlife Viewing
Lookout Tower
Information Kiosk
Guided Tours and Trails
Exhibits
Fishing Pier
Paddling Launch and Rentals
Parking Area
Restrooms
Interpretive Signage
Nature Trails, sand
Picnic Area
Seating Area, Pavilion
Bathrooms
Learning Center

Address: 1800 Weedon Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702
For more information: http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/

Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Author and Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam

 

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Lyonia Preserve

Lyonia Preserve is a hidden gem located in Deltona, Volusia County. It is a 360 acre restored scrub ecosystem with three clearly marked hiking trails and an educational center. Named for the Rusty Lyonia, a scrub plant, this imperiled Florida ecosystem is found on a high sandy ridge with open areas of white sand, low vegetation, dwarf oak trees, and few tall trees.

Three trails meander through the Preserve where you will experience more than 164 species of plants and 124 species of animals including Florida mice, gopher tortoises, gopher frogs, and many other species of birds, mammals, and insects. Located on The Great American Birding Trail, you may see white-eyed Vireos, Eastern Towhees, Common Nighthawks. and many more so bring your binoculars and camera.

This Preserve had been restored and maintained as scrub habitat for threatened Florida Scrub-Jays. Scrub Jays are endemic to Florida and depend on scrub habitats for survival. Scrub Jays are not shy birds. They are curious about people and may even approach you.

The Lyonia Preserve has no shade so come prepared. Bring water, sunscreen, and close-toed shoes for the soft, sandy trails. There is a covered picnic pavilion to enjoy your picnic lunch before visiting the Educational Center.

The Educational Center shares the complex with the Deltona Library. It features an outdoor amphitheater, classrooms, ecological exhibits, fresh and saltwater habitats as well as native and non-native reptiles and mammals. The Center offers insights and education into this fragile scrub ecosystem and the animals and plants who live there.

Photo Credit: Lourdes Brown

onia

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Old Miakka Preserve

Old Miakka Preserve

Named after a settlement in the 1840s, Old Miakka Preserve contains four miles of trails, including scrub habitat, pinewood flatwood, and wetlands. The preserve is abundant in flowering plants with numerous pollinators and occasional gopher tortoises. One of the trails is named after Horticulturalist Tim Cash, who spent years studying plants within the preserve. If you are looking for a calm trail with lots of sunshine and flowers, visit Old Miakka Preserve in Sarasota, FL.

For more information: https://www.scgov.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/547/4327?cftype=FacilityDirectory

Photo credit: Aymee Laurain

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