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Events
Cost for most programs are included with
your entrance fee, unless otherwise noted.
July
Monday, July 2nd 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Family Fun Hour - Manatees Family Fun Hour will feature Suzanne Tate’s book “Mary the Manatee”. The story will be followed by a manatee craft activity for participants to take home. This event is open to the public, including large groups; however children ages 3 to 10 must be accompanied by a parent. Participation is free, but registration required by contacting the GTM Research Reserve at (904) 823-4500. All materials for the event will be supplied.
Friday, July 4th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Estuary Kayak Tour of Guana River Come and experience the Ripple Effect - a natural exploration of the pristine waters of the Guana River. Join a professional kayak instructor/naturalist for a relaxing tour of the coastal estuary, one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. Paddling clinic and safety protocol provided before every tour. Participants will climb into a stable, double kayak and paddle out into the estuary to search for herons, egrets, osprey and other estuary dependent species that inhabit the area. Enjoy a serene sensation only attainable in a kayak. No experience required. This is Real Florida nature from a unique perspective. Cost for this event is $50 per person and is appropriate for people age 12 and up. All kayaking equipment, instruction, reserve entry fee/parking and tour are included. Please meet at the GTM Reserve Environmental Educational Center 15 minutes prior to the departure time. What to bring: sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, camera and binoculars, bottled water. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple Effect Ecotours at
904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Saturday, July 5th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Guana River Sunset Kayak Tour Come and experience the Ripple Effect - a natural exploration of the pristine waters of the Guana River. Dolphins, bald eagles, and many other estuary dependent species salute the sunset over the Guana River on this two hour exploration of the GTM Research Reserve. The stability of our tandem touring kayaks are the perfect viewing platform to relax, reflect and enjoy these wonders of nature. Enjoy a serene sensation only attainable in a kayak. No experience required. This is Real Florida nature from a unique perspective. Cost for this event is $50 per person and is appropriate for ages 12 and up. All kayaking equipment, instruction, reserve entry fee/parking and tour are included. Please meet at the Guana River Dam 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple Effect Ecotours at 904-347-1565 to reserve your space. 
Sunday, July 6th 10:00 a.m. to Noon Guana River Kayak Tour See above July 4th event for details.
Please meet at the GTM Reserve Environmental Educational Center 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple Effect Ecotours at
904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Tuesday, July 8th 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friends of the GTM Research Reserve - Monthly
Board Meeting At the Environmental Education Center. The
public is invited to attend. For information please contact Teri
Webley at (904) 823-4527.
Wednesday, July 9th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Lake Guana Kayak Tour Come experience a natural Florida adventure on Lake Guana, where freshwater meets the sea breeze. Nature abounds with regular alligator sightings in this coastal birding paradise. Lake Guana offers incredible diversity in flora and fauna because it is predominately a freshwater lake adjacent to the coast. From our stable tandem kayaks we will search for herons, egrets, osprey, gallinules, black-necked stilts, bald eagles and other water dependent species that inhabit the area. Cost for this event is $50 per person and is appropriate for ages 12 and up. All kayaking equipment, instruction, reserve entry fee/parking and tour are included. Reservation must be made in advance. Please meet at the Six Mile Landing public boat ramp
15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please call Ripple Effect Ecotours at
904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Friday, July 11th 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission Free All Day!! To kick off summer fun, the GTM Research Reserve is offering free admission on Friday, July 11, 2008 to its Environmental Education Center, the three beach lots, hiking trails and Guana River Dam area. Recreational activities at GTM Research Reserve are centered around the Reserve’s rich variety of natural resources and include hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking or canoeing, bird watching and much more. Hiking and biking are popular along the more than nine miles of nature trails that wind through the hammock, scrub and flatwoods in the interior portion of the Reserve. Access to the trails is at the west end of the Guana River Dam. Pets on a leash are allowed on the hiking trails. There are three beach parking lots on the west side of A1A. The south beach parking lot is wheelchair accessible. If you park and walk across A1A to the beach dune walkovers they will lead you to a beautiful coquina sand beach. There is no lifeguard on duty at the beach.
On July 11th activities at the Environmental Education Center will include the showing of the movie “Jungle” at 10:00 a.m. and “Mr. & Mrs. Fish Present The Treasure in the Eel’s Cave” at 3 p.m. There will also be a Brown Bag lunch lecture at noon featuring Steve Letro, Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville who will present information on using and understanding hurricane forecasts effectively. The Reserve’s popular program “Creature Feature” will take place at 2:00 p.m. Attendees can get up close and personal with different animals from the estuary.
Friday, July 11th Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Brown Bag Lunch Lecture: “Hurricanes” Join Steve Letro, Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville for a look at hurricanes. A professional meteorologist for over 30 years, Steve has also served as a TV and radio meteorologist, private consulting meteorologist, and as meteorologist for the South Florida Water Management District. Specializing in tropical meteorology and hurricanes, Steve is a long time member of the National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Liaison Team and is a Vice President of the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference. He also teaches tropical meteorology at State and national hurricane conferences, has authored numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and has appeared as a subject matter expert on hurricane related documentaries for the History Channel. Bring your lunches and questions for an enjoyable and informative presentation. There is no cost to attend the lecture.
Saturday, July 12th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Lake Guana Kayak Tour See above July 9th event for details. Reservation must be made in
advance. Please meet at the GTM Research Reserve Guana Dam
15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please call Ripple Effect Ecotours at
904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Saturday, July 12th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guana River Sunset Kayak Tour See above July 5th event for details.
Please meet at the Guana River Dam 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple
Effect Ecotours at 904-347-1565 to reserve your
space.
Sunday, July 13th 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Guided Bike Tour of Guana Trails Join Florida Master Naturalist Craig O'Neal as we bike the upland trail systems. The tour will cover approximately 6 to 8 miles round trip. We will discuss topics such as the diverse and co-existing eco-systems, wildlife, as well as historical points of interest located within the Reserve. Experience parts of Guana seldom seen though hiking. Bring your own bike - trail & beach bicycle only. This is a moderately strenuous activity. Helmet, closed toe shoes and water are required. Meet at the Guana Dam trailhead. Entrance fee $3 per vehicle, annual GTM pass holders FREE. Space
is limited. Reservations are required. Please call (904) 823-4500 to
reserve your spot.
Tuesday, July 15th 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Birds 101 for Children An “All About Birds” class for kids age 7 to 12. What makes a bird a bird? Kids will learn interesting bird facts, beginning bird identification and play Bird Bingo. Space is limited. Call the Research Reserve at (904) 823-4500 for reservations.
Wednesday, July 16th 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Family Fun Hour featuring Suzanne Tate’s book “Danny and Daisy - A Tale of a Dolphin Duo”
The story will be followed by a dolphin craft activity for participants to take home. This event is open to the public,
including large groups; however children ages 3 to 10 must be
accompanied by a parent. Participation is free, but registration
required by contacting the GTM Research Reserve at (904) 823-4500.
All materials for the event will be supplied.
Friday, July 18th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Guana River Kayak Tour See above July 4th event for details.
Please meet at the GTM Reserve Environmental Educational Center 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple Effect Ecotours at
904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Friday, July 18th 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
"Meet the Artist" Reception - Linda Holmes
Linda’s inspiration is close at hand in St. Augustine’s' varied landscapes which include marshes & estuaries, Atlantic beaches, and charming city streets. It is an artist's paradise. Other influences are gathered from her New England childhood, travels to Europe & painting workshops in France. Linda has received many awards including the Emmett Fritz prize in 2004. Her works hang in private collections in the United States, Great Britain and Europe. She has also completed corporate commissions, hung in designer shows, one woman shows, and teaches classes in oil painting. She is represented by several galleries. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are required. Please call Diana Eissing at (904) 823-4500 or email Diana.Eissing@dep.state.fl.us Linda’s work will be available for purchase through the Friends of the Reserve in the Research Reserve’s Nature Store.
Saturday, July 19th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guana River Sunset Kayak Tour See above July 5th event for details.
Please meet at the Guana River Dam 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple
Effect Ecotours at 904-347-1565 to reserve your
space.
Monday, July 21st 9:00 am to 10:30 am
GTM Research Reserve Family Nature Walk (Kids Level) A family oriented nature walk will be offered for ages 5 and up. Meet at the Trailhead Pavilion. There is a $3/parking fee per vehicle. Space is limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call the Research Reserve at (904) 823-4500 for reservations.
Monday, July 21st 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Guana River Kayak Tour See above July 4th event for details.
Please meet at the GTM Reserve Environmental Educational Center 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple Effect Ecotours at
904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Friday, July 25th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Lake Guana Kayak Tour See above July 9th event for details. Reservation must be made in advance.
Please meet at the Six Mile Landing Public Boat Ramp 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please call Ripple Effect
Ecotours at 904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Saturday, July 26th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Lake Guana Kayak Tour See above July 9th event for details. Reservation must be made in advance.
Please meet at the Guana Dam 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please call Ripple Effect
Ecotours at 904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Saturday, July 26th 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Discovery Art Class for Adults This class will focus on color study and beginning drawing of marsh scenes.
After a short nature walk to observe the beauty of the estuary, students will then head on into the Environmental Education Center classroom to create their discovery on paper.
This popular class will be taught by local artist Jean Drayovitch whose art murals decorate the walls of the Manatee Café in St. Augustine.
Cost to attend is $45, payable in advance. All materials are supplied. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Space is limited. Please call (904) 635-0941 to reserve a seat.
Saturday, July 26th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guana River Sunset Kayak Tour See above July 5th event for details.
Please meet at the Guana River Dam 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Reservation must be made in advance. Please call Ripple
Effect Ecotours at 904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Friday, July 29th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Lake Guana Kayak Tour See above July 9th event for details. Reservation must be made in advance.
Please meet at the Guana Dam 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please call Ripple Effect
Ecotours at 904-347-1565 to reserve your space.
Monday, July 30th 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Family Fun Hour - “Curious Sea Creatures” A Family Fun Hour will feature Eric Carle’s book “Mr. Seahorse”. The story will be followed by a seahorse craft activity for participants to take home. This event is open to the public, including large groups; however children ages 3 to 10 must be accompanied by a parent. Participation is free, but registration required by contacting the GTM Research Reserve at (904) 823-4500. All materials for the event will be supplied.
Art Exhibit - Linda Holmes from July 7th through September 29th , 2008
Linda’s inspiration is close at hand in St. Augustine’s' varied landscapes which include marshes & estuaries, Atlantic beaches, and charming city streets. It is an artist's paradise. Other influences are gathered from her New England childhood, travels to Europe & painting workshops in France. Linda has received many awards including the Emmett Fritz prize in 2004. Her works hang in private collections in the United States, Great Britain and Europe. She has also completed corporate commissions, hung in designer shows, one woman shows, and teaches classes in oil painting. She is represented by several galleries. A “Meet the Artist” reception will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 18th , 2008 at the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are required. Please call Diana Eissing at (904) 823-4500 or email Diana.Eissing@dep.state.fl.us Linda’s work will be available for purchase through the Friends of the Reserve in the Research Reserve’s Nature Store for the duration of the exhibit. Note: All Nature Store purchases support the GTMNERR !
Nature Movies every Saturday and Sunday at 10 am and 1 pm
GTM Reserve Environmental Education Center Auditorium
July: “Jungle” Change your perception of this invaluable resource, recognize its significance as a refuge for the richest variety of plant and animal life on earth and fully comprehend why this mysterious world is vital to the maintenance of our planet’s ecological balance.
Come for the movies – Stay for the exhibits! Admission to the Environmental Education Center is $2 for adults, $1 for children aged ten to 17 and children under ten are free.
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