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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251109T073000
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DTSTAMP:20260425T084715
CREATED:20250926T140802Z
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UID:13065-1762673400-1762687800@www.auduboneverglades.org
SUMMARY:Guided Birding Driving Tour at STA-2
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a fun morning spotting birds on a guided driving tour at STA-2.\n\n\nAfter two years of construction\, STA-2 is now open for tours!\n\nJoin SFWMD guides Brian Garrett \, Sydney Kaufman\, Audubon Everglades Field Guides Kyle Matera & LeaAnne DeRigne for a rare opportunity to explore this vital wetland habitat. This special access is made possible through our partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). \nDuring the driving tour\, participants will follow a caravan led by SFWMD employees along the levees\, stopping at multiple locations to observe and photograph birds and wildlife. At each stop\, sightings of secretive marsh birds\, wading birds\, waterfowl\, and other species may be seen. Target species may include Black-necked Stilts\, Limpkins\, Purple Gallinules\, Snail Kites\, Fulvous Whistling-Ducks\, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks\, and occasionally rarities like the American Flamingo\, Least Bittern\, or Crested Caracara. \n \nAbout the Event \nGuides will help participants identify birds and share insights into their behaviors\, calls\, and habitats. This is not a walking tour; all observation occurs from vehicles or at frequent stops. Participants should be prepared to exit cars at stops and return to their vehicles to continue the tour. This tour is for ages 12 and above. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. \n \nEvent Details \n\nMeeting Location: STA-2 entrance (directions below)\nCheck-In Time: 7:30 AM\nStart time: 7:45 AM\nEnd Time: 11:30 AM\nRestrooms: Not available on-site; closest port-a-potty at A1 FEB\nAccessibility: Fully accessible from vehicles; some stops have levee edges for scope setup but do not require walking\n\n \nRegistration and Carpool Rules\n\nThis is a carpool driving tour with 4 people per vehicle including the driver.\nDrivers: Register as “Driver.”\nPassengers: Register as “Passenger” and indicate your preferred driver if known.\nIf you do not arrive with 4 registered participants in your vehicle\, you may need to take additional passengers or join another car. Please coordinate before arrival to save time.\nMandatory SFWMD Release: Email the completed form to fieldtrips@auduboneverglades.org prior to the event. Failure to submit will prevent attendance.\nCancellation: Notify us early if you cannot attend to allow others to participate\nNo Walk-ins allowed on STA and driving tours\, registration is mandatory.\n\n \nTour Format & Safety\nThis is a driving tour with multiple stops guided by expert birders and biologists. Each vehicle will be issued a radio to ensure consistent communication during the tour. For the safety of all participants and to protect the integrity of the land\, everyone must stay on the designated route at all times. Do not stray from the path or leave the caravan unless instructed by a trip leader. \n \nImportant Access Information\n\nThis tour starts promptly at 7:45 AM and the gates will be closed. No exceptions can be made. Please allow enough travel time to be at the location by 7:30 AM.\nThis tour takes place on unpaved\, dirt roads. Roads can be muddy\, uneven and can have large potholes.\nVehicle Requirements: High clearance\, good tires\, and a full tank of gas. Please fuel up before arrival.\nTerrain: Minimal walking involved. Activities occur from or near vehicles.\nTrail Length: Approximately 6–10 miles of slow caravan driving with frequent stops.\nAccessibility: Birding may be conducted from the car for people with limited mobility.\n\n \nBirding Rules\n\nListen to and follow the instructions of the Field Trip Leader. Do not walk ahead of the leader.\nBe respectful of your fellow participants.\nAvoid flushing birds: close car doors gently\, do not slam doors\, and minimize loud noises.\nMaintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds. If a bird is flushed\, do not chase it.\nPlease follow the ABA standards of ethical birding and photography\n\n \nE-bird and Photography\n\nA shared eBird list will be provided\nBy signing the Audubon Everglades consent form\, you agree your photo may be taken and shared on AE’s social media\nPrefer not to be photographed? Let us know in advance\nShare your photos and tag us: @AudubonEverglades\n\n \nWhat to Bring\n\nWater\nSnacks or lunch\nBinoculars\nCamera or spotting scope\nSunscreen and insect repellent\nWide-brimmed hat\n\n \nImportant Reminders\n\nNo drones\, glass\, alcohol\, or littering\nSpace is limited; please cancel if you cannot attend\nThe caravan is led by SFWMD employees; all participants must exit the STA once the tour concludes.\n\nWe look forward to exploring STA-2\, observing its extraordinary birds\, and experiencing this essential wetland habitat together. \n\n\nAbout STA-2 \nStormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are large\, constructed wetlands planted with native vegetation that create essential habitat for birds and wildlife. They provide shallow pools and dense vegetation that attract wading birds\, waterfowl\, and secretive marsh species\, offering food\, shelter\, and breeding grounds. \nSTAs also benefit people. They help store and supply water that flows into our rivers\, lakes\, and aquifers\, supporting drinking water\, fisheries\, and healthy communities. In short\, STAs sustain both wildlife and the water we rely on every day\, making them critical for South Florida’s ecosystems and people. \n\n\nDirections to STA-2\nCoordinates: N 26 22 23.60 W 080 33 59.13\n \nFrom I-95 and Southern Blvd: \n\nHead West on SR 80/US 441 N/Southern Blvd\nTurn Left onto FL-15/SR 80W\, follow for 28.5 miles\nTurn Left onto US-27 South\, follow 23.2 miles (you will pass the entrance to A1 FEB)\nBetween mile markers 50 and 51\, look for the bridge on the East side\nTurn Left\, cross the bridge to the entrance to STA-2\n\nFrom Florida’s Turnpike (tollroad) \n\nExit 71 for FL-869 S/Sawgrass Expy\, follow 20.7 miles\nMerge onto I-595\, then I-75 North\, take exit 23 onto US-27 North toward South Bay\nFollow US-27 North 17.5 miles\, between mile markers 50 and 51\, look for the bridge on the East side\nTurn Right\, cross the bridge\, turn left to the entrance gate
URL:https://www.auduboneverglades.org/event/guided-birding-driving-tour-at-sta-2/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251109T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251109T120000
DTSTAMP:20260425T084715
CREATED:20250916T213133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251109T013921Z
UID:12960-1762682400-1762689600@www.auduboneverglades.org
SUMMARY:Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Let's Get Botanical!
DESCRIPTION:Let’s dive into the world of plants; bring your camera\, your curiosity and hiking boots\, and get ready to expect the unexpected!\n\n\nTake a Walk on the Wild Side \nAudubon Everglades gets botanical this year and kicks off a new series of hikes focused on exploring Florida’s habitats and the variety of native plants that flourish in them. \nExplore Scrub\, Hammocks and Flatwoods to see exciting wildflower meadows\, orchids and other interesting rare plants. Learn about the interactions plants have not only with each other but with birds\, pollinators and butterflies. Along with endangered plants\, we’ll see rare and imperiled plants in different native plant communities and how they flourish when protected. \nWhether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious nature enthusiast\, these hikes will offer fresh perspectives on the natural world\, helping you connect more deeply with the habitats and native plants that make South Florida exceptional. \nBring your camera\, your curiosity and hiking boots\, and get ready to expect the unexpected. \n \nDiscover Jonathan Dickinson State Park with CJ McCartney & Stephanie Dunn \nMeeting Spot: Kitching Creek Nature Trail \nGPS: 26°59’35″N 80°08’48″W \nJoin Audubon Everglades and expert naturalists CJ McCartney and Stephanie Dunn for an unforgettable nature hike through the diverse ecosystems of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. \nStarting at Kitching Creek\, explore the six unique habitats to see the variety of native plant communities that grow in each one. Expect to see amazing fall wildflowers that are stunning in their color and abundance. \nAfter Kitching Creek\, we will wrap up the hike at another location to see the Scrub Jays that make JD their home. \nBy both foot and vehicle\, we’ll explore the park’s living mosaic of Florida’s native plants\, birds\, and landscapes. This immersive experience will open your eyes to the hidden wonders of the park—culminating in an exciting search for one of Florida’s most charismatic birds: The Florida Scrub-Jay. \nWhether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious nature enthusiast\, this outing will offer fresh perspectives on the natural world\, helping you connect more deeply with the habitats and native plants that makes this state park exceptional. \n \nWhat to Expect: \n\nA guided walk of Kitching Creek Natural Trail to explore the native plants and wildflowers that are unique to this ecosystem.\nDrive through scenic\, bird-rich terrain\nFascinating habitat and plant facts and field insight from naturalists\nAn opportunity to see the connection of native plants\, pollinators and birds.\nObserve at least 6 different plant communities: Sandhill\, Wet Flatwoods\, Depression Marsh\, Mesic Flatwoods\, Scrubby Flatwoods\, and Scrub and the plant communities that grow in them.\nA plant check list and an iNaturalist project to remember the trails you walked and the plants you saw.\n\n \nYour Guides for this hike: \nCJ McCartney\, Audubon Everglades Advisory Board\, Environmental Steward \nStephanie Dunn \, President of Broward County Florida Native Plant Society\, Landscape Architect \n \nLogistics: \n\nMain Park Entrance: located at 16450 SE Federal Hwy\, Hobe Sound\, Florida 33455.\nPark Admission: $6.00 entrance fee per vehicle (2 to 8 occupants)\, $4.00 entrance fee for single-occupant vehicle\nMeeting Spot: Kitching Creek Nature Trail is located near the river area\, which is approximately a 10-minute drive from the main park entrance.\nRestrooms: There are restrooms and water fountains available near the trailhead.\n\n \nGood to Know: \n\nRegistration is required. No walk-ins.\nPlease cancel if you can’t make it—someone else may be waiting.\nBe on time so we can make the most of our time in the field.\nRain or shine\, unless there’s a hurricane.\nTrail conditions can vary\, portions of the trail may be wet. The Kitching Creek Natural Trail will have compacted ground for easy walking. Other spots on the trip will have sandier terrain.\nPhotos may be taken for social media. Let us know if you’d rather not be included.\nWe love seeing your nature pics! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook\n\nThis is a wonderful chance to spend time outdoors\, learns from top naturalists\, and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts. \n \nWhat to Bring: \n\nWear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty/wet.\nClosed toe shoes you don’t mind getting muddy or wet.\nBring sun protection (hats\, glasses etc.) and bug spray\nBring water and a water bottle\n\nQuestions or accommodation requests? Reach out at fieldtrips@auduboneverglades.org \n \n\n\nAbout Your Guide: \nCJ McCartney\, Environmental Steward & Audubon Everglades \nAfter moving to South Florida from Chicago in the late nineties\, CJ McCartney underwent a shift in interests. Unfettered from her company\, and now living in a subtropical climate\, she began cycling and hiking natural habitats and started noticing the wildlife that lived in and depended upon them for survival. \nAlong with a changing philosophy from “Somebody ought to do something about that\, to one day realizing that she could do something\,” she started learning how to be a knowledgeable and effective Environmental Steward. Along with training to become a Master Gardener\, she started taking a variety of botanical and horticulture classes and seminars to supplement her formal education from Harvard University in public policy and urban management. \nCurrently\, she is the Master Gardner in Residence at Ann Norton Sculpture Garden and serves on Audubon Everglades Advisory Board and several state and local Boards and committees. She leads a Conservation Conversation and Art & Nature Series focusing on reconciliation ecology. \nTwo decades later\, that budding interest takes many forms – photographing nature\, speaking to community groups as well as designing/installing pollinator and wildflower gardens are just some of the ways it shows up today. \nShe approaches community service with an underlying belief that – together – we can mitigate the loss of natural habitats by creating a patch or a plot of wildlife friendly spaces to offer our homeless wildlife and native plants a safe and welcoming haven that establishes wildlife corridors while restoring biodiversity. \nContact information: CJ McCartney\, cjmpbc@gmail.com \nInstagram: @Botanizingbirdingbutterflies
URL:https://www.auduboneverglades.org/event/take-a-walk-on-the-wild-side-lets-get-botanical/
LOCATION:Kitching Creek Trail\, 16450 Southeast Federal Highway\, #B\, Hobe Sound\, FL\, 33455\, United States
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