Aug 14 Tues Apalachee Chapter Meeting Program: “Butterflies of North Florida”
Most of the 120 species of butterflies in North Florida can be found along the trails we hike–like in Elinor-Klapp Phipps Park, with 78 recorded species. Dean and Sally Jue, of the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and the local Hairstreak Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, will provide an overview on local butterfly identification and good places to see a variety of them. (Field trip on Aug. 18.)

Aug 18 Sat P/L Butterfly Identification Field Trip
Seventy-eight butterfly species have been recorded in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. Dean or Sally Jue will take us on an easy walk in the Park looking for butterflies. Checklists will be provided. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334.

Aug 25 Sat P/L Ochlockonee River Canoe Trip
We’ll put in at Hwy 20 and paddle downstream to Drake Landing. Meet at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time at the Hwy 20 river crossing. Limit 12 canoes. Ronny Traylor (850) 643-5517 or rtraylor@fs.fed.us

Aug 26 Sun P/L Ichetucknee Float Trip & Picnic
Don’t let the August heat get you down. We’ll enjoy a leisurely float down the refreshing Ichetucknee with a picnic midway downstream. Gwen Beatty (850) 942-7165

July 10 Tues Apalachee Chapter Meeting Program: “An Artic Adventure”
Ryan Means and Rebecca Meegan backpacked nine days in the heart of the Brooks mountain range in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, encountering the Porcupine caribou herd, dall sheep, grizzly bear, and musk ox. Ryan will recount their trip, presenting Arctic natural history and the importance of preserving great wilderness.

July 14 Sat P/L Bear Creek Interpretive Hike
Karen Weigelt, of the Bear Creek Educational Forest Center, will provide informative commentary along the 5-mile loop trail. Meet at 8:15 a.m. Wear sturdy shoes and hats for shade. Bring sunscreen, water, snacks and insect repellant. Howard Pardue (850) 523-8525 or 386-1494 or hpardue@fs.fed.us

July 21 Sat P/L Wakulla River Canoe Trip
We will put in at S.R. 365 and canoe this wild, scenic river about six miles to the St. Marks Boat Club. Easy paddling. We should see various birds, with a good chance of seeing alligators and manatees. Bring lunch, water, bug spray, sun screen, and binoculars. Top off the trip with swimming at the Boat Club beach (optional). Limit 8 canoes. Paull Kirkpatrick (850) 894-3224

July 28 Sat P/L Slave Canal Canoe Trip
We’ll paddle 5 miles down the narrow, crystal-clear stream winding through the pristine swamp. The pace will be leisurely with refreshing dips in the cool water. Getting past fallen trees will require some maneuvering skill. Limit 12 canoes. Steve Haley (850) 216-1764 or kneadtorelax2002@yahoo.com

June 2 Sat P/L National Trails Day Hike
Hike about 5 miles on the Fort Braden Trail in celebration of National Trails Day. You will enjoy the rolling terrain with views of Lake Talquin. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 or totenold49@aol.com

June 9 Sat P/L Spring Creek/Chipola River Canoe/Kayak Trip
We’ll put in at Spring Creek in Marianna and paddle about 5 miles, with swimming stops along the way, and take-out at Magnolia Bridge on the Chipola River. Limit 12 canoes. Gwen Beatty (850) 942-7165

June 12 Tues Apalachee Chapter Meeting Program:  “Tales of the Great Outdoors”
Edwin McCook, Public Use Coordinator for the Suwannee River Water Management District, talks about recreation opportunities available on the District, reaching from the Wacissa River to the Waccasassa River and including the path of the Florida Trail along the Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers. (Related hike on June 16.)

June 16 Sat P/M Aucilla River Hike
Hike the FNST from Goose Pasture Rd north along the Aucilla River about 5 miles on Suwannee River Water Management District land. View limestone formations and one of the few rapids in Florida. Bring water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen and insect repellant. Meet at J.R.’s Aucilla River Store. Limit 15. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334.

June 19 Tues Activities Planning Meeting
6 p.m., US Forest Service Bldg F Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426

June 23 Sat P/L Chipola River Canoe Trip
We will put in at Peacock Bridge and paddle the Chipola River to Lamb Eddy Landing. Meet at 8 a.m. Eastern Time, at McDonald’s on Hwy 71 south of I-10 near Marianna. Bring water, food, and perhaps a water gun. Ronny Traylor (850) 643-5517 or rtraylor@fs.fed.us

June 30 Sat P/L Slave Canal Canoe Trip
We will paddle this spring-fed stream, meandering 5 miles through a remote and pristine swamp that will take you away from civilization for a while. The pace will be leisurely with swimming and nature observation along the way. The stream is narrow and blocked in places with fallen trees, so some maneuvering skill is needed. Limit 12 canoes. Steve Haley (850) 216-1764 or kneadtorelax2002@yahoo.com

May 8 Tues Apalachee Chapter Meeting Program: “The Australian Outback”
Harley, Ryan and Bruce Means spent three weeks driving across the “top end” of Australia, investigating the geology and natural history of this wonderful continent, with its geological wonders and critters of all kinds. Harley Means tells us what it is like to be immersed in the real Australian Outback!

May 12 Sat P/L Wade Tract Birding Hike
Hike through one of the best remaining examples of old-growth longleaf pine/wiregrass forests left in the U.S. Jim Cox, noted ornithologist with Tall Timbers Research Station, will guide. Fee will be from $7 to $15 / person depending on number of participants. Limit 20 people. Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576 or kwimmer@fs.fed.us

May 19 Sat P/S Deep Creek Trail
Hike this 12-mile loop through diverse habitat in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. We’ll start early and should see wildlife. Limit: 10 people. Paull Kirkpatrick (850) 894-3224

May 26 Sat P/L Bradwell Game Farm Tract Hike
Enjoy hiking about 4 miles on old woods roads in rolling terrain through the scenic, historic Bradwell Game Farm Tract, off State Road 20 and bordering the Ochlockonee River in the Apalachicola National Forest. Sights include the Red Lodge, old cabin, pet cemetery, and “Bonnie and Clyde” car. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 or totenold49@aol.com

Aucilla Sink ~~ by Mike DeWitt

On February 8, 2007, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) presented a draft recreation master plan for the Aucilla River Wildlife Management Area (ARWMA). The area managed by the FWC includes the Aucilla Sinks segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Therefore, as a stakeholder and interested party, the Apalachee Chapter of the FTA was invited to attend. Terry Tenold, AC Trails Coordinator, was pleased to attend the presentation and hear the goals for future management and improvement of recreation opportunities in the ARWMA. Comments and recommendations were solicited from about a half-dozen interested parties, including the Apalachee Canoe and Kayak Club, and the Audubon Society.

The FWC presented the main goals for the ARWMA as being wildlife habitat management and restoration, natural ecosystem restoration, and optimizing public access while protecting natural resources. The draft plan includes development of a comprehensive nature-based recreation management plan, and an interpretive plan that includes brochures, kiosks, interpretive trails, and wildlife viewing facilities. The Apalachee Chapter went on record as recommending a trailhead and parking facilities, with a kiosk incorporating interpretive facilities, to be located where the FNST crosses Goose Pasture Road and continues south into the Aucilla Sinks area.

At the conclusion of the presentation, all participants agreed that the draft recreation master plan proposed many good ideas for expanding and optimizing recreation opportunities, including additional hiking and interpretive trails, in the Aucilla River Wildlife Management Area.

–Terry Tenold