Our beach walk with Bill Dunson at Blind Pass has been rained out. Instead we will explore what’s growing along the boardwalk at Chadwick Park/Englewood Beach. Come join us!

Parking instructions and directions:

Take the southern road to Manasota Key (turn west at McDonalds) and drive to the round about at Circle K and enter the lower parking lot. Address 2100 N Beach Rd. Englewood.  We will meet at the southern end of the boardwalk. You must pay for parking on-line- see instructions at the kiosk unless you have a car pass: https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/community-services/parks/parking.stml

We will walk less than a one mile loop north along the boardwalk and back along the street side grassy drainage area. The protected area between the boardwalk and the beach is remarkably natural and will challenge you to identify/learn more than 60 species of plants. Learning to distinguish the beach birds is also fun and not as easy as you might think.  

https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/community-services/parks/all-parks/englewood-beach-at-chadwick-park.stml

Some of our past events

February 20 Tuesday, 8:30-10:30 AM   Meet the Mangrove Chapter of the FNPS and member Charlie Woodruff for a walk on Stump Pass Beach, 900 Gulf Blvd, Englewood. Learn about the unique history of the beach as well as its nature and inhabitants. As parking has a $3 charge and is limited, carpool and plan to arrive around 8am. Wear shoes that can get wet and bring a hat and water. All are invited to participate. For more information email mangrovechapter@fnps.org

Tuesday, February 13, 1 PM   The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will host “Easy Plant Identification-The Big 4”, an educational program presented by extension agent, James B. Stevenson at Lemon Bay Environmental Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd. Englewood. Learn how knowing the four plant groups can lead to a big step in plant ID, and what makes a plant belong to one group.  BYOPicnic social at 12:15pm.  This event is free and all are invited to attend.  For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Thursday, February 8, 9-11 AM Join the Mangrove Chapter of the FNPS and Chris Meyer for a nature walk at Myakka Islands Point, 1289 Campbell St, Port Charlotte, FL. The preserve is only 100 acres but comprises mesic flatwoods, mangrove swamp, salt marsh, maritime hammock and scrubby flatwoods. Sections of the trail system are tidal so wear appropriate footwear. This preserve is unique in that the largest and highest island on the entire Myakka River occurs here.  This event is free and all are invited to attend.  For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org

Friday, February 2, 9-11 AM   Meet Bill Dunson and join the Mangrove Chapter of the FNPS for a nature walk at Tippecanoe 1 Environmental Park, 2300 El Jobean Rd. Port Charlotte.  Observe the wide variety of plants and animals characteristic of the scrubby flatwoods, and a mangrove lined tidal creek, while discussing the impact of prescribed burns and habitat manipulations. Meet at the entry gate.  This event is free and all are welcome.  For more information, contact mangrovechapter @fnps.org.

Friday January 26, 9:00-11:00 AM. Join Bill Dunson for a nature walk at Prairie Creek/Charlotte County Preserve, 1900 Duncan Road, north of Punta Gorda along US 17. Turn east about 0.6 mile north of Washington Loop Rd. and continue about 4 miles along a dirt road until you enter the preserve. Watch for the trailhead on the right side. The sandy trails follow a 1.4 mile loop where we may see scrub jays, rare turkey oaks, and the semi-mythical Zeedonk.

Wednesday, January 24, 9:30-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society for an informative walk led by Florida Sea Grant Agent, Armando Ubeda, at Lemon Bay Park, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood. Following the boardwalk adjacent to the shoreline, Armando will explain mangrove identification and will describe the impact of the various native mangroves on not only controlling seasonal flooding but also on creating the necessary niches for native plants and animals to thrive. Gather at the environmental center. All are invited to participate.  For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Thursday January 18, 9:00-11:00 AM Join Bill Dunson from the Mangrove Chapter of the FL Native Plant Society for a nature walk at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood. Take a walk to learn about  plant succession and how it determines the vegetative structure of all habitats.   A knowledge of the names of common plants allows us to follow the progress of succession and avoid fighting against this natural process.  For example white mangroves will always dominate the early stage of colonization of mangroves of an area and this process is occurring right now along the edges of newly constructed saline lagoons.  Meet in the parking lot. Members and non-members are welcome. For additional information contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Thursday, January 11, 9:00-11:00 AM Join Bill Dunson from the Mangrove Chapter of the FL Native Plant Society for a nature walk at Don Pedro Island State Park, 8450 Placida Road, Placida FL. The walk will be on a 1.5-mile trail on the mainland section of the park. This area is an example of the fast-disappearing coastal habitat mixture consisting of salt marshes, mangroves and wet pine flatwoods.

Meet in the parking lot. There is a $3 entrance fee. All are invited to participate. Please no dogs or smoking/vaping allowed. For additional information email mangrovechapter@fnps.org.