Surprise Visitor Makes Appearance on Recent Sierra Outing
The black bear was definitely a surprise, lumbering around the trailhead near the Rodman dam, where a group of Sierrans were getting set for a hike.
Bill Armstrong, the hike leader, reports: On Oct. 26, “I led a 7.5 mile hike in the Ocala National Forest with 21 participants. It was a one-way hike from Rodman to Lake Delancy, so we needed to take a few cars to the end point to shuttle us back to the trailhead.
“While I was leading the cars down to Lake Delancy, the remaining participants were treated to a bear, who showed up right near where they were waiting! This was in an open, busy area near the dam where folks are fishing, driving to the boat ramp, and driving to the ATV area.
“The bear, of course, got scared and ran off, but not before one hiker got a fleeting photo.”
Florida black bears are especially active during the fall months since they are searching for food to sustain them during the cold months, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says. So it’s important that people avoid tempting bears with food sources such as open garbage cans since that numbs their natural foraging ability.
The bears typically want to avoid direct contact with people and can usually be scared off.
Here’s advice
from the wildlife conservation website.
(photo by Michelle Nifong)
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Register Now: FL Master Naturalist Program
A Florida Master Naturalist Environmental Interpretation Special Topics Course will be offered next month at the Duval County Extension office. Registration is open now and closes Dec. 6.
The course is a series of three eight-contact-hour workshops that cover interpretive presentations, guided interpretive programs, and interpretive displays through classroom presentations and workshop activities. This course is open to everyone. You do not need to be a graduate of a Florida Master Naturalist core module to participate.
The classes run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 at the Duval County Extension Office, 1010 McDuff Ave. North, Jacksonville, 32254.
It’s sponsored by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Course fees begin at $155 and advanced registration is required.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
November 2 & 3:
Right Whale Festival:
Saturday, Nov. 2- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach.
December 2nd, Monday:
The Oldest City Under Water & Sea Level Rise
at the Ponte Vedra library (
101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082)
6 PM – 8:30 PM. We will show a video, made by Mallory Hopkins, of St. Augustine under threat from rising seas. We will also get an update from Allen Tilley, our local sea level rise expert, on what we can expect in our area from sea level rise in the future, and what we can do about it.
Jan. 13, 2020, Monday
, at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 2001 University Blvd W in Jacksonville, in the rear of the education building. Marine biologist Maia McGuire, who was featured at the October meeting, returns to lead a full discussion on microplastics in the ocean. Refreshments from 6:30-7 p.m.; the program starts at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
February
. To be announced.
March
. To be announced.
April
. To be announced.
May 11, Monday
, at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 2001 University Blvd W in Jacksonville, in the rear of the education building. Josh Gellers, a UNF associate professor of political science, will speak on “Human Rights and the Environment: Origins, Impacts, and New Directions.” He will explore different human rights approaches to environmental protection. Social time starts at 6:30 p.m. The program starts at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
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McGuire's Tips on Reducing Plastic Pollution
There is no spot in any ocean that’s free from plastic pollution, a marine biologist told about 50 people at a Sierra meeting Oct. 14 at UNF.
For example, water from far offshore is just as contaminated with microplastics as the river near Jacksonville’s downtown, Dr. Maia McGuire said.
Most ocean plastic is in the form of micro-fibers, so small that they slip through trawl nets, defying “Realistically, we’re not going to get rid of plastic,” she said. “But we can cut down on waste.”
Here are her tips:
• Carry and use your own re-fillable water bottle. Don’t buy single plastic bottles of water.
• Carry and use a stainless steel container to bring home restaurant meal leftovers.
• Carry the container when you’re staying at hotels that offer breakfast buffets and use it for your breakfast to cut down on your use of disposable one-use plastics.
• Make your own hummus and yogurt to avoid plastic containers; buy unwrapped vegetables and cut them yourself (carrots for example, instead of the pre-cut carrots in plastic bags)
Dr. McGuire will speak again on the issue at the Jan. 13 meeting of our group.
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Outside in November:
Paddles, Hikes Await
There's a great outdoor lineup this month. To see a full outing description and RSVP for any of the events, go to our
website
or
Meetup pages.
All the outings are free (except for park fees) and are open to all. Some outings require a greater level of fitness and skill than others. No pets or firearms allowed on outings. Outing participants are required to sign a waiver and release of liability at the start of the outing. Here is a copy of
the waiver form
.
You'll get one to sign at the outing.
Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.
Walk for First-Timers or Long-Time Absentees Only at the Jacksonville Arboretum. Let's have a walk ONLY for those of you who have just joined up and those of you who are long-time abseteees. The Jacksonville
Arboretum is a beautiful 120-acre urban woodland with three miles of easy trails. You can walk all three miles with us or bail out safely at several points if you want to walk less.
Friday, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m.
Kayak Moultrie Creek. We will paddle for an 1 1/2 hours up Moultrie Creek, going by nice houses, beautiful flora, and under US1 and the train tracks. This is an easy paddle.
Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.
Suwannee River East Day Hike. Spend a morning on the Florida National Scenic Trail along the eastern part of the Suwannee River section. Enjoy majestic views of this federally designated Wild River while sauntering along the limestone bluffs that form its banks. We will walk 7.4 miles.
Sunday, Nov. 17, 9 a. m.
Kayak Pellicer Creek. Join us as we paddle Pellicer Creek between Faver Dykes State Park and Princess Place Preserve.
Monday, Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m.
View the St. Augustine Waterfront by Kayak. From the Vilano boat ramp, we'll travel into creeks, then past the fort, down to the old Santa Maria restaurant, and maybe see some cannon fire. Experienced kayakers only as it can become choppy.
Saturday, Nov. 23, 9:30 a.m.
Kayak Trout Creek. We will paddle up Trout Creek about 3 miles and back. Trout Creek is quiet, with little current, and is one of the most scenic waterways in this area.
Friday, Nov. 29, 10:00 a.m.
Black Friday Hike at the Theodore Roosevelt Area #OptOutside. Let's hit the woods rather than the malls! We'll walk the beautiful Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve in the Theodore Roosevelt area of Jacksonville.
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Follow Us on Facebook for Exclusive Environmental Content
Our group’s Facebook page is among your best sources of environmental news and information.
Not a Facebook person? You might be surprised at the quality information you find. You won’t find cat videos and what we had for lunch.
Julianne Mammana
, our Facebook editor searches for content that is informative and fun.
If you are already on Facebook, we would love your contribution. We are especially looking for postings of interest to children and families that inform them about the environment.
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Don't Miss Annual Right Whale Festival: Nov 2nd & 3rd
The annual right whale festival will be held this year on from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach.
The festival honors the North Atlantic right whales and their yearly return to the waters off Florida and George—the only known right whale calving area.
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Sierra Club, Northeast Florida Group | sierrasentry@gmail.com | sierraclub.org/florida/northeast-florida
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