Walk Into the New Year with Guided Hikes from St. Lucie County

LUCIE COUNTY – Connect with nature this year as St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department continues its free guided hikes through May.

These programs are free and open to the public; however, reservations are required as space is limited. Hikes for January include:

Third Annual New Year’s Day Hike

Monday, Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Third Annual New Year’s Day Hike at DJ Wilcox Preserve, 300 Michigan St., Fort Pierce. What a better way to ring in the new year than a hike in nature. Join us for a leisurely stroll through a preserve featuring towering pine trees, live oaks, and seasonal scrub wildflowers and an opportunity to view various bird species.
Tenacious Tallaudsias Hike

Wednesday, Jan. 3 from 9 to 11 a.m.: Tenacious Tallaudsias Hike at Ancient Oaks/Weldon B. Lewis, 4650 Oleander Ave. Fort Pierce. These little plants literally grab life by the roots. Learn about the beautiful Tillandsia species found in St. Lucie County, their important role in this peaceful “Old Florida” preserve and their unique adaptations that allow them to thrive airborne.
Welcome to Florida Hike
Saturday, Jan. 6 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.: Welcome to Florida Hike at 10-Mile Creek Preserve, 3401 Gordy Road, Fort Pierce. Whether you’re new to the area or just visiting, this hike is for you. This small preserve shows just how different Florida can be from everywhere else. Learn about habitats, restoration, archaeology, plants and wildlife found along the headwaters of the St. Lucie River.
Fitness Hike

Sunday, Jan. 7 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Fitness Hike at St. Lucie Village Heritage Park, 305 Torpey Road, Fort Pierce. Enjoy the outdoors and get in shape at the same time by joining us on this moderately paced fitness hike that will take you through a canopy of Live Oak and Cabbage Palm. Participants should anticipate hiking up to three miles at a brisk pace.
Hidden Waters Kayak Excursion

Thursday, Jan. 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Hidden Waters Kayak Excursion at the Richard E. Becker Preserve, 3398 Selvitz Road, Fort Pierce. Discover the tributaries of the St. Lucie River by kayak on this guided adventure along 10-Mile Creek, Five-Mile Creek and the North Fork. Learn to identify numerous birds, trees and flowers along the way. Kayaks, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices and paddles provided (you may also provide your own equipment if desired). The cost is $10 per person. No online registration; please call 772-462-2526 to reserve your space. Reservations are a must.
Colors Through Animal Eyes Night Hike
Saturday, Jan. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.: Ultra-violet Vision – Colors Through Animal Eyes Night Hike at Ancient Oaks Preserve/Weldon B. Lewis Park, 4650 Oleander Ave., Fort Pierce. Humans have great eyesight, but other animals can see things we cannot. Find out more about how light waves are perceived by animal eyes and learn about the importance of color in nature. During this night hike, we will use ultraviolet lights to see a “new side” of plants, insects and more
Sunday, Jan. 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.:
at St. Lucie Village Heritage Park, 305 Torpey Road, Fort Pierce. Acquired because of its historic significance, this preserve has a short trail filled with some of St. Lucie County’s unique history from the third Seminole War to 20th Century moonshining. Spend the morning exploring trails and listening to the retelling of the area’s historical events.
Changing Beaches Family Hike and Cleanup at Ocean Bay Beachside Preserve

Monday, Jan. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m.: Changing Beaches Family Hike and Cleanup at Ocean Bay Beachside Preserve, 7600 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach. Join us to see how the beach and life around it has changed month to month. As we walk the sandy shore we’ll explore the exciting wrack line and find the treasures offered up by the sea. At the end of this monthly adventure, you’ll get a chance to become an environmental steward by removing the man-made trash and restoring the beach’s pristine beauty. All are welcome, but this hike is most appropriate for families with children ages 5 and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Enchanted Forest Family Hike

Monday, Jan. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m.: Enchanted Forest Family Hike at Ancient Oaks Preserve/Weldon B. Lewis Park, 4650 Oleander Ave., Fort Pierce. Take a fun family hike to enjoy one of the county’s hidden gems. We’ll use all our senses as we investigate our woodland surroundings. This is an easy hike for younger children and will be a good introduction to new comers. All are welcome, but this hike is most appropriate for families with children ages 5 and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Morning Light and Song along the River Hike at Sweetwater Hammock Preserve

Thursday, Jan. 18 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Morning Light and Song along the River Hike at Sweetwater Hammock Preserve, 4100 South 25^th St., Fort Pierce. Slip on your walking shoes and bring the family out to listen to melodic bird songs, trilling insects and the occasional splash of a fish in the St. Lucie River. We’ll take our time to see and hear the environment around while we learn about the local ecology and discover a world of air plants, wild flowers and animals.
What’s in a Shell Hike at Queen’s Island Beachside

Sunday, Jan. 21 from 9 to 10:30 p.m.: What’s in a Shell Hike at Queen’s Island Beachside, 4653 SR A1A, Fort Pierce. The beach is a wonderful place to experience some of nature’s most beautiful and fascinating art masterpieces…seashells. Find out how these unique shells are made, what creatures utilize them and much more on this beachcombing excursion. Enjoy a one-to-two mile walk along the beach in sunbathed sugar sand.

Mysterious Lichens and Mushroom Hike at 10-Mile Creek Preserve

Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m.: Mysterious Lichens and Mushroom Hike at 10-Mile Creek Preserve, 3401 Gordy Road, Fort Pierce. A stroll through this shady and surprisingly hilly, hydric hammock and floodplain forest will reveal many of nature’s secrets. Keen observers will enjoy looking at a variety of lichens and fungi as well as learning about their interactions with the natural world around them. Bring along your hand lens to get an up close and personal look.
Signs of Life Hike at the Richard E. Becker Preserve

Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 9 to 11 a.m.: Signs of Life Hike at the Richard E. Becker Preserve, 3398 Selvitz Road, Fort Pierce. Discover this preserve’s secretive wildlife and hidden plants as we search for the tell-tale signs of their presence. The signs of life can be found all around us and this one-mile hike around the lake will help you hone your spotting skills.
Life Around the Lagoon’s Edge Hike at St. Lucie Village Heritage Park

Friday, Jan. 26 from 8 to 10 a.m.: Life Around the Lagoon’s Edge Hike at St. Lucie Village Heritage Park, 305 Torpey Road, Fort Pierce. The Indian River Lagoon is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in the world, but what about the plants and animals that live beside this important waterbody? Explore the unique habitats along this wooded shoreline to gauge the abundance levels of the flora and fauna that can be found there and their relationship with the Indian River Lagoon.
Fitness Hike at Pinelands Preserve
Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon: Fitness Hike at Pinelands Preserve, 7601 VPI Grove Road, Port St. Lucie. Adventure through a beautiful pineland habitat, as we enjoy a brisk-paced fitness walk. Along the way you might break a sweat while gaining a new appreciation for nature. This seven-mile loop takes you to every corner of the preserve, so we’ll have a great chance to experience some of nature’s raw beauty.

Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.: Midweek Morning Hike for Birders at Jones Hammock Preserve, 6511 SW Citrus Ave., Fort Pierce. It’s an all-avian hike along a secluded wetland and river. Be sure to bring your binoculars, scopes, field guides and checklists. This preserve, adjacent to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, boasts rich resident and migratory birdlife which are attracted to the river’s bountiful food supply. This hike is sure to impress any avid birder.

For more information and to find the link for registration, please visit www.slchikes.org, call 772-462-2526 or emailslchikes@stlucieco.org.

Treasure Coast – Connecting our Communit…Programs are usually limited to 15 people helping to allow participants to immerse themselves into the county’s beautiful natural areas. Programs target ages 12 and older unless otherwise noted. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Proper footwear and water are required for all programs and please leave pets at home.

Purchased through a voter-approved bond referendum, St. Lucie County manages more than two dozen preserves that are open to the public for passive recreation. For more information about St. Lucie County’s Environmentally Significant Lands visit: www.stlucieco.gov/erd. For a list of all St. Lucie County parks and preserves visit the interactive map athttps://gis.stlucieco.gov/parkspreserves.