EVENT BY Cuplet Fern Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Patti Smith from the Seminole County Natural Lands program. Patti Smith will be leading this field trip as we explore this very scenic, expansive property!
Commissioner Lee Constantine will be making a special appearance at the beginning of the event to welcome attendees and observe with us October as Florida Native Plant Month!
*****Reservations highly limited. Once we reach RSVP capacity, publicity for this event will be taken down.
*****An RSVP is required- email cupletfern@gmail.com. FNPS members from any chapter are welcome to attend but an email RSVP is needed. In event of unforeseen circumstances (such as bad weather) we can contact you and cancel plans. Please email us with your day-of cell phone and number of people in your party.
Arrival Time: 8:45am
Point of Contact: Patti Smith and Mark Kateli
RSVP REQUIRED: Please email us at cupletfern@gmail.com with your day-of cell phone (for emergency purposes only) and the total number of people in your party.
Location: Lake Harney Wilderness Area 2187 Osceola Fish Camp Rd, Geneva, FL 32732
Parking: Gravel/dirt parking lot at the main entrance. Ample parking space. There are no restrooms on property.
Entrance Fee: None. Members report volunteer hours.
Details:
It’s October Florida Native Plant Month! Please join Patti Smith from Seminole County Natural Lands at the Lake Harney Wilderness Area where she will discuss native plants and the property’s overall ecosystem. This field trip is known for it’s expansive scenery!
Patti Smith is an University of Central Florida trained biologist and a volunteer with the Seminole County Natural Lands Program. We will learn about a variety of habitats such as riverine swamp, hardwood hammock, wet prairie, Lake Harney, St. Johns River, and floodplain marsh. This tour is organized through the Seminole County Natural Lands Program in observance of October Florida Native Plant Month.
The Lake Harney Wilderness Area (LHWA) is an approximately 300-acre property that is located along the St. Johns River at the northwest shore of Lake Harney. This site is home to an historic crossing of the Florida East Coast Railway, Native American shell middens, several bald eagle nests, oak hammocks and mixed hardwood swamps. This site also contains extensive floodplain marshes associated with Lake Harney which serve as important feeding grounds for wading birds and as a natural filter improving water quality. There is also an observation deck that provides scenic views of the Lake Harney floodplain.
Bring water to drink, a bagged lunch if you want to picnic at the pavilion after the hike, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Wear hiking or walking closed toed shoes. Don’t forget to bring ample curiosity!
Further Info:
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/locations/Lake-Harney-Wilderness-Area.stml
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/core/fileparse.php/34/urlt/LHWA-Trail-Guide-NEW-BW.pdf
