Feb 7 Saturday P/S Torreya Challenge. We will hike 10 miles up and down hilly terrain, primarily through hardwood forest with many impressive trees and picturesque creek crossings. Carry water, lunch, and perhaps a hiking stick. Meet at 7 a.m. in Tallahassee to carpool. Jerry Herting 850-878-3426.

Feb 8 Sunday P/L Aucilla Sinks Hike. Hike 4 miles along the sinks south of Goose Pasture Road. Bring a lunch. Barbara Donner 850-514-4284 or 245-8453.

Feb 10 Tuesday Apalachee Chapter Meeting Program: “Nokuse Plantation and its Gopher Tortoises” The FNST now passes through a portion of Nokuse Plantation–a 48,000 acre private preserve with a goal of restoring natural communities to their pre-European- settlement conditions. “Turtle” Bob Walker will tell us about this restoration effort and the approximately 500 wild gopher tortoises on the property, along with the relocation of over 1800 tortoises rescued from development sites where they would otherwise have been buried by developers with “incidental take” permits. 7 p.m. at Woodcrest Office Park, 325 John Knox Rd., Bldg. F (first bldg. on the right). Look for Florida Trail signs on wooden door at east end of building. Free. Contact: Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

Feb 14 Saturday P/M Trekking with Richard. This will be a hike into the Apalachicola National Forest, from FR 321 to Oak Park Bridge. Dress for the weather, bring lunch, water and bug spray. The hike is about 4 miles. Richard Graham 850-878-3616.

Feb 17 Tuesday Activities Planning Meeting. 6 p.m. US Forest Service Bldg F David Harris 850-284-9967.

Feb 20-22 Fri – Sat P/M Torreya State Park Trail Rerouting. Help reroute portions of the River Bluff Trail to reduce erosion. Ronny Traylor will explain trail construction techniques. Work on Saturday and Sunday or come for a single day. Shared camp sites available Friday and Saturday nights; bring your own tent. Sign up early to allow for camping and food arrangements. Limit: 12 campers. No limit on day-workers. Jerry Herting 850-878-3426.

Feb 28 Saturday Nokuse field trip RESCHEDULED — NOTE NEW DATE: Saturday April 18 P/L Nokuse Plantation. Automobile tour showcasing the research, restoration, education, and gopher tortoise relocation activities at Nokuse Plantation, with short walks on the Florida Trail and to other points of interest. Bring a trail lunch. Approx. 250-mile round-trip from Tallahassee. This is a follow-up to our February 10th program. Limit 15 people. Linda Patton 850-668-4334.

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Codes:
“P” Public welcome to participate
“M” Limited to FTA members only
“L” Leisurely
“M” Moderately difficult
“S” Strenuous

Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned. Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.