At the north end of the preserve, a historical pioneer settlement exhibit shows what life was like earlier in Floridas pioneer settlement period. Published on 03/23/21: Colt and I finally checked out Boyd Hill Nature Preserve this weekend and we loved it.What an incredible area just 10 minutes from downtown St. Pete! Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Take the time to visit with the raptors before you leave. An overlook off on the right looks out over the marsh, with a glimpse of the open waters of the lake beyond. During some winters the park hosts Merlin and Broad-winged Hawk. Tickets are $10 during the pre-sale, and $15 on the day of the event. Canaveral National Seashore. Florida summers are very hot, but the preserve stays cooler than you might expect, especially in the shaded areas around Lake Maggiore. ST. PETERSBURG The City of St. Petersburgs Parks and Recreation The highlight for many Weedon Island visitors, however, isnt on the ground at all. CENTRAL FLORIDA OVERVIEW East Coast Greenway. WebRaptor Fest. Osceola National Forest. Visit RaptorFest.org for more details. On a clear day, the 45-foot observation tower, accessible via the west boardwalk trail, offers an unhindered view of St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay and ospreys soaring overhead. Vero Beach. There will also be a new facility near the grounds. Miami. Bonifay. At the southern entrance there are more than 8 miles of trail, which wind through different ecosystem tracts. In a recent trip, I walked over a wood bridge into Lake Maggiore for an up-close look of a sunning alligator. in 4 reviews, I enjoyed the birds of prey aviary which had hawks, owls, a turkey vulture and a five year-old bald eagle. in 6 reviews, American Eagle, 3 different kinds of Owl, Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, swing by and see the rest! WebBoyd Hill Nature Preserve is a 245-acre protected area in St. Petersburg, Florida, Pinellas County, Florida. Whether youre seeking an intimate ceremony location, hosting a wedding reception, celebrating Today its health is designated as Impared. Williston, MULTI-REGION Big Cypress Swamp. Dade City. Most trails are ADA accessible. Hollywood. St. Petersburg(27.725417, -82.649867)3.0 miles. Orange Park. South Walton. Eagles, hawks, owls and other birds of prey use the exposed, scrub area to hunt. Fire is an important part of the Sand Scrub ecosystem. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a 245-acre (99ha) protected area in St. Petersburg, Florida, Pinellas County, Florida. The swamp environment of Boyd Hill is noticeably cooler than other areas in the park because they are low-lying, and thanks to several other factors. The shade, evaporative cooling and dense, lush vegetation which all help cool the area. The Pine Flatwoods are fascinating to wander through. Florida Trail Brooksville. Carolina Wrens and Northern Cardinals are conspicuous in spring and by late April there are always a few reports of migrant Blackpoll and Magnolia Warblers. More information can be found on the Friends of Boyd Hill site. What days are Boyd Hill Nature Preserve open? Ocala. There are wild animals, some of which are dangerous. It is beloved by locals who know about it, and it provides a fantastic adventure for wildlife lovers and nature newbies. Punta Gorda. for an up-close look of a sunning alligator. If you look closely, youll notice dark and charred bark on many of the pine trees. Jensen Beach. You dont have to wander far from the cityscapes of St. Pete/Clearwater to immerse yourself in nature. Recently there have been Common Goldeneye, Canvasback, American Wigeon, Redhead and Ruddy Ducks. Dade City. To view the preserves namesake, follow the Friends Trail to Brooker Creeks main channel. All rights reserved. Florida Keys. Returning to the trail junction, take the second right onto the Main Trail (you should see a Main Trail sign). Its hoped that the expanded access will help kindle a love and appreciation for Boyd Hill, and help provide access to natural experiences. Dog banana, a type of pawpaw, shows off its fuzzy green fruits. They depart at 1:00 pm.There are two tours on Saturday. Dropping back down, make the next left to loop around the pond. Shell ginger shows off its orchid-like blooms. It also features an indoor and outdoor bar as well as a 33500-gallon aquarium. Each spring at least a few lucky birders glimpse a northbound Swallow-tailed Kite soaring over the park in March/April. As you walk under the tall slash pines, you cross the Field Mouse Trail again. Homestead. Weeki Wachee. The obstacle course also helps children train social-emotional skills, such as cooperation and turn-taking. Crystal River. Prices do not include extended hours. A free bird walk, co-sponsored by St. Petersburg Audubon. Check out iNaturalist to see what other nature lovers have found in the area. More worth exploring while youre in this area. The forecast showed rain all week but the day of it was beautiful breezy weather! Gopher tortoise feeds off of ground-level vegetation, which only grows with ample sunlight. That's why Sarah Phinney started a Walking Club to highlight some hidden, and some not so hidden, trails and parks across Tampa Bay. http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/pdfs/parks/BoydHillNaturePreserve_TrailMap.pdf. The lack of tree shade may seem inhospitable to humans on a hot, sunny day, but its a crucial aspect of the scrub landscape. Fire is vital for this ecosystem because it clears away underbrush and helps rejuvenate soil and activate natural processes for many plants, trees, animals and wildlife. If you prefer a lively family atmosphere, weekends and school vacations are usually busier with families. Perry. The preserve supports more than 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, including gopher tortoise, Florida box turtle, and eastern indigo snake; young alligators hiding in the lake shallows are a delight for the whole family. The bays and lagoons that once drew Native Americans now attract thousands of visitors each year. Merritt Island NWR. [1] The preserve is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore in south St. Petersburg. St. Contact the preserve for additional prices for commercial and nonprofit use. The City of St. Petersburg coordinates a variety of volunteer opportunities at the Preserve, includinganimal care, land management, gardening, and more. Contact the preserve for additional prices for commercial and nonprofit use. It stays wet and saturated during most conditions. Joy of movement: motor skills, muscle, cardio and bone density, Joy of learning: curiosity, understanding of causal relationships and knowledge of the world, Joy of being together: teamwork, tolerance and sense of belonging, Joy of creating: co-creation and experimenting with materials, https://www.kompan.com/privacy-policy-and-security. For an expert orientation to Brooker Creeks ecosystem, join a Saturday guided hike or a specialty hike (check the preserves event schedule for details). Deland. You can also keep up with Sarah on Instagram and Twitter. $19.95 + tax & shipping. The camp site will be opened in phases. Social distancing should be practiced. Kids under the age of three are free. Big Cypress National Preserve. Ponce De Leon. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is an escape from the city life This St. Pete nature preserve recently went through some upgrades that include new campgrounds. A Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Wedding. Kayak and canoe rentals available. Melbourne. Blountstown. Flagler Beach. Palm Bay. Sources: USF Water Atlas and the Native Fish Lab. Follow good safety precautions and remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Banana trees flank the trail as you approach a bridge leading to a grassy island on the lake. Lake Placid. Paddlers can meander down the southern trail, which begins at the fishing pier (a great place to hook snook, redfish or trout) and winds its way through the mangrove islands for four miles, at one point skirting the open waters of Tampa Bay. Pay your admission fee and ask for a loaner field guide and trail map before setting off on the extensive trail system. We are do-gooders who love Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Floridas wild places. We are serious about service, but with a laid-back style. The mission of the Friends of Boyd Hill is to protect, support and promote the Preserve and its programs through volunteer service; financial support; and environmental education/advocacy. Its called the Boyd Hill Field of Screams. Barbara Stalbird - Natural and Cultural Areas Manager, City of St. Petersburg. Many people imagine swamps as areas of stagnant green water, but healthy swamp land actually transfers and filters groundwater continually. Ormond Beach. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. We <3 Boyd Hill and hope you do too! Ocala National Forest. A free birding walk leaves the library at 8am on the first Saturday of each month. It borders the shores of Lake Maggiore. Everglades National Park. Explore standard products identical or similar to the ones found in this solution. Freeport. Kissimmee. 2015 Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Navarre Beach . The City of St. Petersburg is building a new welcome center, Hammock Hall. Wintering hawks include Sharp-shinned, Coopers, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks. Take a walk on the wild side right near the city by exploring the Weedon Island, Boyd Hill and Brooker Creek Preserves. It is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Melbourne Beach. It stays open one hour later into the evening in the spring and summer. Largo. At the next trail junction, go straight. In the Birds of Prey aviary exhibit you can see a variety of species. Ocala. Cedar Key. SUMMER: Resident species include Tufted Titmouse, a few Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wren, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Boat-tailed Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird and Pileated Woodpecker to name just a few. Saturdays, 7:00am-6:00pm The 245-acre, award-winning property features 6 miles of trails and boardwalks through a Gardenia shows off its white blossoms. Many of us are looking for ways to remain active while also staying a safe distance away from others. 1101 Country Club Way S., St Petersburg, 33705 The City of St. Petersburgs Parks and Recreation Department has completed new enhancement projects at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, including the opening of the new Terry Tomalin Campground, a 12-site primitive public camping area. Another armadillo stands guard at the trail junction as you rejoin the Gator Loop. From its earliest days, people have clamored to work and volunteer in Boyd Hill Preserve because its such a lovely, peaceful natural environment. This is provided by the City of St. Petersburg. Some come to see the viceroy butterflies, whose orange wings seem to light up in the sun as they dance across the willow marsh. A favorite getaway for trail runners and day hikers, Boyd Hill is a wilderness oasis in one of Florida's most densely populated areas. The address is: 1101 Country Club Way S. St. Petersburg, Brinson and Jess are married! The staff at Boyd Hill give fascinating talks; try to catch one if you can. Leesburg. Turn right on the Swamp Woodlands Trail for a loop through a floodplain forest off Lake Maggiore. Biscayne National Park. Prices do not include extended hours and additional services. Port Mayaca. Boyd Hill Park was originally a zoo and botanical garden for the city of St. Petersburg. Keep up with the Trail. Also, walking the shoreline trail can be productive. November 1-February 29. But Boyd Hill is home to more than just birdsit's a stunning example of biodiversity. Prices do not include extended hours. Ocala National Forest. A public campground is scheduled to open in November, 2020, although Covid-19 may cause delays. Prices do not include extended hours. Tunneling through mangrove forests and palm hammocks to overlooks on Tampa Bay, the trails of Weedon Island Preserve offer unique perspectives for birders while interpreting one of Floridas ancient settlements. WebRumFish Grill serves lunch and dinner with nightly entertainment. A free bird walk, co-sponsored by St. Petersburg Audubon, occurs the first Saturday of each month and starts by the main entrance at 8 AM. Longwood. Fifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. The shade under the canopied bench is the only shade along this particular trail. We have a 100 person capacity banquet room and then also a 50 person capacity banquet room.. The trail reaches a boardwalk that loops through the swamp. If you or someone in your party prefers a tram instead of walking, there are daily tram tours. Prey use the exposed, scrub area to hunt preserve is a 245-acre protected in. At Boyd Hill is home to more than 8 miles of trail, wind... 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