2025 Field Trips
To sign up for trips or for more information, come to a meeting or call Pam Powell at 352 750 2420 (NO Texts) or email pamelynn1943@gmail.com.
NOTE: Sign-up sheets will be available at our regular meeting on the 2nd Friday of the month (Meeting Dates). You need to be a member to join our trips as required by the state organization. FNPS membership forms and dues are accepted at the meeting or you can join online at www.fnps.org.
There will be a requested donation of $10 to sign up for field trips. This money will be donated to the State Park or Preserve hosting the trip for the chapter. A courtesy gas donation of $10 will be requested of all drivers if there is carpooling, unless the driver declines (EVs or hybrid cars).
The Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest
October 27 (Monday), 2025 10:00 am
Meet at 4399 Trail 10 in Inverness – just west of Holder Mine Campground. Trip will be approximately 2 hours.
The Citrus Tract is a gem that has incredible native plant diversity. The fall wildflowers are beautiful. Nancy Dwyer, the botanist who will be leading the trip, is very involved in restoration of the Longleaf Pine that is one of the old growth pines the red-cockaded woodpecker uses for nesting. Yes – we will see the woodpeckers.
The trip is mostly driving and very little walking. We will stop along the way to listen to Nancy – so if you have a camp stool or chair you might want to bring it along.
Previous 2025 Field Trips
Paynes Prairie
Jo posted lots of pictures about the trip on Faceboo
Half Moon Preserve
Fantastic Trip - Two Part Field Trip - Horse Back Riding and Hike With Guides
Previous attendees of our November trip agreed this trip was worth repeating. It's local and fun.
15 January, 2025
Located at Lake Panasoffkee. For those who want to ride, our ride is scheduled from 9 AM to 11 AM on very tame horses. (You do not need to know how to ride). You will traverse some of the trails at Half Moon Preserve where they have Florida Native plants and restoration areas of Long Leaf Pine trees. For those who want to join an easy hike after the horseback ride, two biologists familiar with the preserve will share their knowledge on Long Leaf Pine preservation, prescribed burns, and resident Florida natives. Attendees can do either the ride or hike or both.
Travel time to location: Approximately 40 minutes. Use “Just Horsin Around” for GPS directions to Half Moon Preserve.
HORSEBACK RIDING - plan to be at the trailhead promptly at 9:00 AM and returning 11ish for the horseback ride portion of the trip.
Cost: For the one-hour horseback ride is $60.
FREE EASY NATURE HIKE - Join interested horseback riders around 11 am to hike at the entrance of the preserve. Then carpooling will be arranged to go to a nature preserve. This hike is led by two botanists with a wealth of information. They will describe their restoration efforts of the long-leaf pine and the effects on the current habitat as well as point out Florida native plants and why it is necessary to perform controlled burning periodically.
Guests are permitted. Please wear comfortable walking/hiking footwear, sunscreen, and water. Binoculars may be a plus if you have them. Sign up with Pam Powell at the January 10 meeting at Eisenhower or contact us at FNPSTheVillages@gmail.com and the message will be forwarded to Pam Powell.
