Get outdoors and explore St. Lucie County Preserves with award-winning Guided Nature Programs

Guided Nature Programs within the St. Lucie County Environmental Lands project began with the passage of a $20 million local bond program approved by voters in 1994. Since then, the County has succeeded in more than tripling the initial funding through local, state, and federal partnerships.

To date, more than 11,000 acres of land has been preserved. These lands are managed in their natural state, creating corridors for wildlife, protecting water quality, and providing recreational space for both citizens and visitors.

The St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department is dedicated in its efforts to identify and acquire environmentally significant lands to continue in this endeavor.

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Nature hikes and family programs are FREE!

Kayak program fees $20 per person.

Reservations are required and space is limited. Guided Nature Programs run October through June. There are various topics, locations, and distances all designed for different ages and abilities!

Kayak programs are listed in BLUE

 Click here to sign up!

September Programs

• Saturday, Sept 12 – Nomenclature Nonsense Walk at Donald B. Moore Preserve (9:00am-10:30am) - Nature is funny, sometimes! Certain species of plants and animals have the wildest names. Come learn about these oddballs and how their names originated as we walk one mile of beautiful nature preserve. Great for trivia knowledge enthusiasts!
• Monday, Sept 14 - Crazy Critters Kayaking at Richard E. Becker Preserve (8:30am-11:00am) - Come out for a peaceful morning of paddling on the St Lucie River while we talk about all kinds of critters. Think fish, alligators, snakes, turtles and Sirens? Yes, Sirens! All necessary equipment provided. You are welcome to bring your own kayak or PFD if you prefer! $20 per person fee due at time of booking. Space limited.
• Thursday, Sept 17 – Burned Bluefield Hike at Bluefield Preserve (8:00am-10:00am) – Hot Take: Fire is essential to the success of specific Florida ecosystems. Want to learn more about why we prescribe burns on preserves?  Join this walk for a chance to see the impacts of a fresh prescribed fire on an ecosystem up close.
• Sunday, Sept 20 – Those Rascally Rabbits Stroll at Indian Hills Recreation Area (9:00am-11:00am) - Strollers/wagons, walkers, wheelchairs welcome. Come out and enjoy a nice stroll through this lovely space, where we can stay completely on paved trails. We will talk everything rabbit, and how rabbits are so good at surviving in urban spaces.
• Saturday, Sept 26 – So Long Summer Kayak at Petravice Family Preserve (8:00am-10:00am) - This easy 2 hour paddle is perfect for beginners, families, or adventurers who just want a quiet nature reset on the water. We will get to explore the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and have a quiet morning as we say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn. All necessary equipment provided. You are welcome to bring your own kayak or PFD if you prefer! $20 per person fee due at time of booking. Space limited.
• Saturday, Sept 26 – Taxonomic Troubles Walk at D.J. Wilcox Preserve (9:00am-10:30am) - A lot of us experience plant blindness (habitually overlooking their plant surroundings). Connect to your local environment by spotting palm trees, oak trees, or pine trees and knowing the species classifications. Great for those looking to build their plant ID skills.

October Programs

• Sunday, Oct 4 – Easy Habitat Walk through Open Trails at Petravice Family Preserve (9:00am-11:00am) - Join this easy wander through open trails. As we walk, we’ll investigate native and invasive species and examine how habitats function through the unique dynamics of this preserve.
• Friday, Oct 9 – Morning Stroll at Citrus Hammock Preserve (8:00am-10:00am) - A morning hike featuring wildflowers, littoral pond vegetation, and aquatic wildlife transitioning to riverine hammock with Saw palmetto, Slash pine, and magnificent oaks.
• Saturday, Oct 10 – Birds and Bats on the Water Paddle at Richard E. Becker Preserve (8:30am-11:00am) - This easy 2 1/2 hour paddle is perfect for beginners, families, or adventurers who just want a quiet nature reset on the water. We will get to explore the North Fork of the St. Lucie River getting to identify birds and listen to bats from our aquatic vessels. All necessary equipment provided. You are welcome to bring your own kayak or PFD if you prefer! $20 per person fee due at time of booking. Space limited.
• Thursday, Oct 15 – Hammock Sunrise Walk at Teague Hammock Preserve (7:30am-9:30am) - Start your day with a walk through the hammocks and wetlands of Teague Hammock. Great for those looking for a rejuvenating quiet getaway in nature.
• Saturday, Oct 17 – Florida’s Array of Colors Walk at Spruce Bluff Preserve (9:00am-11:00am) - The North and South sections of this trail showcase two distinctly different habitats. The North features a rosemary scrub, while the South is a basin marsh. Join us to learn how these contrasting ecosystems can exist so close together. We’ll identify key indicator species in each habitat, explore the role of soils and hydrology, and discuss aspects of Florida’s natural history.
• Sunday, Oct 18 – Golden Hour Glide at Petravice Family Preserve (4:00pm-6:00pm) - This easy 2 hour kayak paddle is perfect for beginners, families, or adventurers. We will explore the North Fork of the St. Lucie River as we chase the sun during the golden hour as we spy wildlife along the way. All necessary equipment provided. You are welcome to bring your own kayak or PFD if you prefer! $20 per person fee due at time of booking. Space limited.
• Wednesday, Oct 21 – National Reptile Day Hike at Indian Hills Preserve (9:00am-11:00am) – Calling all reptile enthusiasts! This program highlights the importance of cold-blooded creatures and the threats they face. Learn how to protect snakes, lizards, and turtles, and support conservation efforts, in addition to discussion about introduced reptilian species.
• Saturday, Oct 24 - Beginners Kayak Class at Petravice Family Preserve (8:00am-11:30am) - This class is for novices and beginners alike. Whether you are a first-time paddler, have some experience paddling or just want to work on your technique and kayaking knowledge, there is something for everyone in this class.  We'll spend about an hour on shore learning about kayaks, paddles, PFD's, paddling technique, safety and comfort.  Then we'll hit the water to put our knowledge into practice with individual instruction as needed. Come on out and build some confidence on the water! All necessary equipment provided. You are welcome to bring your own kayak or PFD if you prefer! $20 per person fee due at time of booking. Space limited. 
• Saturday, Oct 24 – Boat Enthusiasts Unite! Walk at Donald B. Moore Preserve (9:00am-10:30am) – Need fresh ears for your classic boating and fishing stories? Meet fellow boaters and share epic adventure stories with each other as we take a gentle one mile walk to the Indian River Lagoon overlook at Donald B. Moore Preserve. Not a boater? Not a problem! All are welcome.
• Sunday, Oct 25 – Going Batty Full Moon Hike at Spruce Bluff Preserve (6:30pm-8:00pm) - Thirteen species of bats call Florida home, and along this adventure we will be searching for some of these flying, roosting and vocalizing bats as moonlight illuminates the trail. Bats are frequently seen flying under the bright scape of the full moon, so this is an ideal time to catch a glimpse. Appropriate for ages 8 & up.
• Friday, Oct 30 – Happy Halloween Hike at Savannas Recreation Area (4:00pm-6:00pm) – Join in as we explore a freshwater wetland as the sun descends in the sky, wildlife sights and sounds subtly change from the diurnal to nocturnal (day to night), and many native plants begin to produce seasonal blooms.  A natural recreative activity as prelude to the Halloween festivities ahead!
• Saturday, Oct 31 – A Walk Through the Past at Spruce Bluff Preserve (9:00am-11:00am) – On this Halloween hike, we will visit an Indian Mound and Pioneer Cemetery. Taking time to learn about and reflect on the lives of these people helps us put our current lives into perspective. We will explore how they were connected to the world around them, and compare that to what we experience today. Hopefully ghost-free!

Click here to sign up! 

Want to get involved? 

Get outside and make a difference in St. Lucie County Preserves! A wide range of opportunities are available including:

• Trail stewardship
• Litter clean-up
• Invasive species removal
• Building/fixing fences, boardwalks  and other preserve amenities
• Citizen science
• Species monitoring/inventory
• Assistant for guided nature hikes and kayaking tours

 Click here to Volunteer with the Environmental Resources Department

GNP refund policy: Refunds offered to those who notify of cancellation 48 hours or more before the start of paid program.

For questions or to book a private guided hike:

Call 772-462-2536  

Tuesday - Friday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

or email slchikes@stlucieco.org