Apr. 5 Sat P/L Wakulla Birding and Wildlife Festival Fun and educational activities for the whole family. The FTA Apalachee Chapter will sponsor an information booth. Come help at the booth 1 or 2 hours, then enjoy the festival. Call for information or to help with the booth. Need 5 people. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 totenold49@aol.com

Apr. 8 Tuesday Program: “The Geology of Florida’s Springs” Florida has over 700 springs–possibly the largest concentration in the world– due to the presence of underlying limestone and dolostone which dissolve away over time, leaving voids that fill with water–the Floridan Aquifer System. This is both a curse and a blessing. Harley Means of the Florida Geological Survey discusses the issues facing our Florida springs.

Apr. 12 Sat P/M Shepherd Spring Hike Walk through the Cathedral of Palms in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Have lunch at remote and pristine Shepherd Spring and perhaps catch a glimpse of the resident gator. Geologist Harley Means will be along to tell us about the spring. Approx. 6 miles. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334

Apr. 13 Sun P/L Econfina Canoe/Kayak Day Trip Leisurely paddle on beautiful, spring-fed Econfina Creek in Bay County. Limit 10 boats. Gwen Beatty (850) 942-7165

Apr. 19 Sat P/L Apalachicola National Forest Hike 4 miles on the Florida Trail from FR 321 to Oak Park Bridge. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellant, and dress in layers. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Apr. 26 Sat P/L Spring Botany Hike at Phipps Park Guy Anglin, retired Forest Service botanist and member of the Florida Native Plant Society, will accompany us to identify trees, flowers, and other plants along the trail and in the meadows. Morning hike with optional lunch in the oak grove. Limit 12 people. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334

Mar. 1 Sat P/S Annual Bradwell Bay Wilderness Swamp Stomp
Slog about 8 miles, in the heart of the Apalachicola National Forest, through one of the largest swamp forests in Florida. Rated by BACKPACKER magazine as one of the 10 toughest hikes in the USA. If we’ve had rain, expect wading in ankle-to-waist-deep water for over half of the hike. Bring lunch, hiking sticks, and extra dry clothes and shoes. Old, but sturdy boots recommended. Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576 kwimmer@fs.fed.us

Mar. 7-8 Fri-Sat P/M Annual Tate’s Hell Kayak Canoe Trip Meet in Sumatra at the Costal Family Restaurant at 8:30 a.m. EST. We will go to the landing to unload gear and work out the shuttle to begin a 2-day adventure through Tate’s Hell. Bring sleeping gear, food, and water for the trip. Ronny Traylor (850) 643-5517

Mar. 11 Tue Program: “Hiking the Florida Trail: 1,100 Miles, 78 Days, Two pairs of Boots, and One Heck of an Adventure.” Johnny Molloy, outdoor adventurer and prolific guidebook writer, will wow us with images of his 2005 thruhike, talk about his trail experience–the good, the bad, and the ugly– and let us in on his thoughts about the Florida Trail. His newest book is the very first narrative of a Florida Trail thruhike.

Mar. 15 Sat P/L Sopchoppy River Hike View native azaleas and other blooming wildflowers on the FNST along the Sopchoppy River in the Apalachicola National Forest. Limit 15 people. Galen Moses galenmoses@aol.com

Mar. 22 Sat P/L Annual Leon Sinks Geological Area Hike See native azaleas and dogwoods in bloom. The interpretive trail winds through scenic terrain in the Apalachicola National Forest, including four major sinks, a natural bridge, a disappearing stream, and swamps. Trailhead parking fee – call for car-pool arrangements. Limit 15 people. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 totenold49@aol.c

Feb. 9 Sat P/L Aucilla Sinks Hike the Florida Trail from Goose Pasture Rd south 4.3 miles along the Aucilla River as it sinks underground and reappears. Limit: 12 people. Walker Banning (850) 878-2270

Feb. 12 Tue Program: “Tales from the Top of Africa” Member Dawn Brown will present the story of her successful summit attempt of Mt Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.), the highest peak on the African continent. She will also speak about her walking safari and descent into the Olduvai Gorge in the Angata Kiti area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; driving safari in the Ngorongoro Crater and cultural exchange with the Massai people.

Feb. 16 Sat P/L Bradwell Bay Wilderness Hike about 5 miles on the FNST in the eastern, non-swampy part of the Wilderness. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellant, and dress in layers. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com ACTIVITY CANCELLED 1/9/08

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

Feb. 23 Sat P/L Bradwell Game Farm Tract 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 antique car. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 totenold49@aol.com

Jan. 8 Tue Program: “Trekking in Viet Nam” Journey with Apalachee Chapter members Ken and Virginia Loewe through the lush topography of this scenic country, where they hiked on rice paddy dikes, dodged motorbike traffic, enjoyed homestays, survived rickshaw rides, and sailed the Mekong Delta.

Jan. 12 Sat P/L Apalachicola National Forest Hike the Florida Trail through pine woods, about 4 miles from Hwy. 319 to FR 321. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellant, and dress in layers. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Jan. 13 Sun P/M Fort Braden Trail Take a day off to enjoy the crisp cool weather of January while hiking approximately 6 miles on the western and central loops of the Fort Braden Trail. Gwen Beatty (850) 942-7165<

Jan. 26 Sat P/S Torreya Challenge Winter is a good season for a brisk 10-mile walk in the park up and down steep-head terrain among stately trees. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in Tallahassee to car pool. Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426