Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves
Winter Bay Day
Presented by Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves, Inc.
And the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve.
Proceeds to benefit the Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves
LOCATION: The Bay Day event is located at the St. Joseph Bay Preserves Center, 3915 State Road 30-A (C30), Port St. Joe, Florida. The Preserves Center is approximately 5 miles south of Port St. Joe; approximately
one hour east of Panama City; and approximately two to two and a half hours south and west of Tallahassee.
REGISTRATION: Reservations will be taken in advance for the field trip that starts before 10:00 ET.
times are EST. Call 850-229-1787, Ext 1; leave a message. We will return your call.
All
Signup sheets for all other trips will be available at the Preserves Center on Saturday, February 7th
(the day of the event) at 9:00 a.m. (All times are EST).
PLEASE, if you sign up for a trip, show up or let us know that you aren’t going to show up so that
someone else can take your place. Trips usually fill up quickly and we hate to turn people away and then
have empty spots that go unfilled from no-shows.
TOURS All Buffer Preserve tours depart on time from the Preserves Center. Check the schedule carefully for
meeting locations of Aquatic Preserve tours and Birding tours. ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN. Remember to
bring water, insect repellent, sunscreen and camera. All tours are free of charge however donations are
accepted.
AREA ACCCOMODATIONS:
PORT ST. JOE, MEXICO BEACH, CAPE SAN BLAS, and INDIAN PASS:
Gulf County Chamber of Commerce 1.800.239.9553 www.gulfchamber.org
Gulf County Tourist Development Council 850.229.7800 www.visitgulf.com
Apalachicola, St. George Island: Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce 1.850.653.9419;
www.apalachicolabay.org
QUESTIONS: For more information call 850.229.1787, ext 1, email [email protected] or visit
www.stjosephbaypreserves.org.
For the Backwoods Tram Tours: Waiver/Release form must be signed by or on behalf of all participants.
For the Deal Tract Walking Trip: Waiver/Release form must be signed by or on behalf of all participants.
For the Explore the Shore Trip: Waiver/Release form must be signed by or on behalf of all participants.
For the Birding Walk & Talk: Waiver/Release form must be signed by or on behalf of all participants.
All forms available at Welcome Center – day of event.
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BUFFER PRESERVE TOURS
The following tours depart from the Preserves Center and are free of charge. Pre-registration (on signup sheet on the day of the event)
is required as space is limited.
BACKWOODS TOURS OF THE BUFFER PRESERVE -- (RIDING - TRAM)
Experience the back county of the Buffer Preserve as you ride in a tram for a trip to remember. You will get a
good view of recently burned areas to see the dramatic post-fire flowering of grasses and wildflowers and the
butterflies and other life that is attracted to these areas. Hear about the history of this land and the importance
of fire to the resident plants and animals. Learn about research taking place in the Preserve that is uncovering
information about fire and water over the past hundreds and thousands of years. This is mostly a riding trip
with short walks interspersed and covers many areas within the heart of the Buffer Preserve. Riding in the new
tram you will enjoy seeing areas of the Buffer Preserve the ordinary visitor misses out on. Your trip Leader will
talk about the history of the land; point out how controlled burn is beneficial to the Preserve. They know about
the resident plants and the animals that call the Preserve home and will show how controlled burn helps them.
Research done on the Preserve is important and your Leader will enlighten you on how it works to improve the
Buffer Preserve. You will get to stretch your legs as you go on short walks in between the enjoyable tram rides
into the heart of the Buffer Preserve.
BIRDING TOUR; Nature Walk & Talk and Reptile Talk
Pre-registration (on signup sheet on the day of the event) is required as space is limited. These tours are free of charge.
Birding Tour at the Cape and Peninsula – Ron Houser of the Bay County Audubon Society will be leading
the 2.5 hour bird tour around St. Joe Bay during Bay Day. Participants should bring binoculars, walking shoes
and something to drink. Meet in the parking lot of the Buffer Preserve at 8:00am for an 8:15 departure. Places
of interest will be along Hwy 30-E, including the Deal Tract and Salinas Park bayside and gulfside. There
should be a good assortment of shorebirds, marsh birds, migrants and raptors. Spotting scopes will be
available. After registration, the group will traverse in your own vehicles to stops at Cape San Blas, The Deal
Tract and St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.
Nature Walk/Talk at the Deal Tract – Jeff Dutrow of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
leads this tour which begins at the Visitor’s Center (the Lodge) at 8am. Join Jeff for a birding and plant
identification tour of the Deal Tract. Jeff will help you learn to identify birds by their calls and habits, as well as
discuss local ecology. This is a fascinating and informative tour. You will be able to see a viewing tower built on
the Deal Tract by former owner, Troy Deal, which offers an excellent view of the surrounding area and, on
good flight days, an unparalleled view of migrating hawks. Tour begins at the Lodge and travels to at the Deal
Tract located on Cape San Blas Road just past the Stump Hole (for locals) or the curve with the rock berm on
Gulf side (for visitors). You will drive your own vehicle from the Lodge to the Deal Tract. This will be
approximately 10 miles from the Preserve Center. You may register and pick up printed directions at the
Preserve Center.
Reptile Talk – Gibby Conrad, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. See reptiles up close and
learn interesting facts about their habitats. This display and talk will be in room 3 at the Buffer Preserve. Gibby
is experienced in leading groups in discussion about reptiles and other animals. There will be live snakes
which are common to the area as well as bio-facts (skulls, skins, skeletons).
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AQUATIC PRESERVE TOURS
Walking/Wading Tours
"Explore the Shore at St. Joe Bay" – Join Jason Garwood, Marine Fish and Invertebrate Biologist,
Research Section, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, on this field trip beginning at Eagle
Harbor featuring an introduction to coastal ecosystems at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park and wading in St.
Joseph Bay. Hands-on activities in Eagle Harbor at the State Park will be included. "The field trip will include
walking, wading in water and pulling nets. It may be hot and could be raining some. Be prepared to get a little
wet and to have fun. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get wet. You may also want to bring insect repellent,
sunscreen, drinking water, a change of dry clothes, towel, field glasses, hat and camera.”
We thank you for your interest in our Winter Bay Day. We hope to see you here for a great event!
In order to participate in these opportunities, one:
 Must have the ability to follow visual and/or verbal instructions independently or with the
assistance of a companion.
 Must have the ability to withstand exposure to the outdoors for 1 ½ hours.
 Must have the ability to traverse wet, sandy, and uneven terrain for 1 ½ miles.
For tours the appropriate dress and proper supplies are suggested:
 Cap or hat
 Closed toe shoes
 Bring insect repellent
 Bring sunscreen
 Drinking water
 Bring camera
 Binoculars helpful
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