FT 1 - Habitats and Biodiversity of Everglades National Park (ENP), Florida

Saturday, August 6, 2016: 7:30 AM-7:00 PM
Shuttle Drop-off outside Lobby A area, Ft Lauderdale Convention Center
Trip Leader:
Edward M. Barrows
We'll experience ENP's rich subtropical habitats and biodiversity of at least 20,000 species. This includes birds (Anhingas, Flamingos, and Roseate Spoonbills); butterflies (Queens, White Peacocks, and Zebras); mammals (Common Raccoons and Florida Panthers); and reptiles (American Crocodiles and Burmese Pythons). Now is the time to visit this Park because all of it is near sea level, and the ocean there is rising. Stop-1 is the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center where we'll obtain an overview of ENP. From there, we'll drive to the end of the Main Road to stop-2, the Flamingo Visitor Center, where both native Alligators and rare native Crocodiles reside. Then, we'll head homeward to stop-3 , West Lake Trail, through a mangrove forest with bromeliads, invasive Brown Anoles, Buttonwood Mangroves, Marsh-fleabanes, Poisonwood, Red Mangroves, and Strangler Figs. At stop-4, Mahogany Hammock, grow Fiddlewood, large Mahogany trees, Poison-ivy, Short-leaf Fig, Wax Myrtle, and more. The Pa-hay-okee Trail (stop -5) runs through a marsh and forested island, surrounded by a natural moat, and ends at an overlook. Long Pine Key Trail (stop-6) meanders through a pine forest with plants growing in thin soil on limestone. Stop-7 is the Royal Palm Visitor's Center, Gumbo Limbo Trail, and Paradise Key Hummock. These are places with Custard-apple, Gumbo Limbo, colorful land snails, huge Florida Royal Palms, and more. At the Everglades Alligator Farm (stop-8), we'll learn about Alligator behaviors. An air boat will zoom us over the wet Sawgrass prairie.

Registration Fee: $103

Equipment and Attire: Participants should be prepared for rain, shine, and probably both and should wear comfortable walking shoes. Ambulation will be on flat and gently-sloping areas and will not be overly strenuous. Bring binoculars and cameras. Insect repellent might be needed at some sites. The day will be warm and humid through cooler, overcast and humid. A short rain storm is likely, but a longer period of light rain could occur. If you decide to go on the air-boat ride, you should should wear rain gear.

Itinerary: Check-in is by 7:00 am 7:30 AM. Leave the convention center to arrive at the Park at 10 AM. 10–10:30 AM. Stop-1. Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center (= Main Visitor Center), 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034 11:15–11:40 AM. Stop-2. Flamingo Visitors’ Center. At the end of Everglades Main Road. We’ll primarily be on this road from Flamingo to all stops, taking short side roads. The stops all have large signs which indicate turnoffs from the Main Road.11:50 AM –12:30 PM. Stop-3. West Lake Trail through a mangrove forest (0.4 mile, 30 min) 12:50–1:30 PM. Stop-4. Mahogany Hammock (0.4 mi, 35 min). 1:45–2:15 PM. Stop-5. Walk the Pa-hay-okee Trail through a marsh and forest island and overlook (0.2 mi, 20 min; overlook) 2:30–3 PM. Stop-6. Hike in Pine Key Trail through a pine forest (Pinelands). 3:15–4 PM. Stop-7. Royal Palm Visitor’s Center. 4:15–6 PM. Stop-8. Everglades Alligator Farm. 40351 SW 192nd Ave. Homestead, FL 33034 8:00 PM. Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center. We might arrive later, if our group wants to grab some fast food on our way back. We’ll primarily be on this road from Flamingo to all stops, taking short side roads. The stops all have large signs which indicate turnoffs from the Main Road. We won’t be lost in the Park. I plan to review the stops again in person on about 3 August 2015. I’ve been on this route several times over the decades, checking it out a few years ago as well. I can fully guide our bus driver from stop to stop. 11:50 AM –12:30 PM. Stop-3. West Lake Trail through a mangrove forest (0.4 mile, 30 min) 12:50–1:30 PM. Stop-4. Mahogany Hammock (0.4 mi, 35 min) 1:45–2:15 PM. Stop-5. Walk the Pa-hay-okee Trail through a marsh and forest island and overlook (0.2 mi, 20 min; overlook) 2:30–3 PM. Stop-6. Hike in Pine Key Trail through a pine forest (Pinelands) 3:15–4 PM. Stop-7. Royal Palm Visitor’s Center 4:15–6 PM. Stop-8. Everglades Alligator Farm. 40351 SW 192nd Ave. Homestead, FL 33034 8:00 PM. Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center.

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