About this Event
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Audubon Everglades gets botanical this year and kicks off a new series of hikes focused on exploring Florida’s habitats and the variety of native plants and wildlife that flourish in them.
Check out the Scrub, Coastal Hammocks and Flatwoods to see exciting wildflower meadows, orchids and other interesting rare plants. Learn about the interactions plants have not only with each other, but with birds, pollinators and butterflies. Along with endangered habitats, we’ll see rare and imperiled plants in different native plant communities and how they flourish in restored natural areas.
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious nature enthusiast, these hikes will offer fresh perspectives on the natural world, helping you connect more deeply with the habitats and native plants that make South Florida exceptional, unique and special.
Bring your camera, your curiosity and hiking boots, and get ready to expect the unexpected.
Spring Wildflowers, Colorful Meadows and Sunsets
Wander the trails at Pine Glades Natural Area with CJ and Friends to discover spring wildflowers and grasses popping up in the meadows and marshes. Pine Glades is a huge, diverse natural area and we will check out a loop that circles multiple meadows and marshes. Prescribed burns in this area unleash all the fire-dependent wildflowers that flourish in this hydric mesic area. Some very endangered and imperiled wildflowers grow on this site and may be nestled in the meadows we explore. Depending on the rains, some of the trails may be wet (less than ankle deep) so be prepared to get your feet wet as we find flowers that only show up in hydric conditions.
After exploring the loop and a roosting site, we will head back to the pier to watch one of the most spectacular sunsets in Palm Beach County. A bit early in the season, but as one of the few remaining dark sky areas, some fireflies may be out to light our way to the Pier.
This hike is for the experienced, beginner and the curious who want to see Wild Florida at its finest. Expect natural, sandy trails, maybe some damp, wet areas so wear closed toe shoes, bring sun protection (hat, glasses etc.) and water. Expect fun, all are welcome to come explore and get botanical in this amazing area. Don’t forget your camera and water bottle.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- A guided walk to explore the native plants and wildflowers that are unique to this ecosystem.
- Fascinating habitat and plant facts and field insight from naturalists
- An opportunity to see the connection of native plants, pollinators and birds.
- Observe multiple habitats and the plant communities in each.
- A plant check list and an iNaturalist project to remember the trails you walked, the plants you saw, and the fun you had exploring this area.
LOGISTICS:
- Main Entrance: 14122 West Indiantown Road, Jupiter
- Meeting Spot: Parking lot, meet at the Picnic Table
- Restrooms: There are no restrooms.
GOOD TO KNOW:
- Registration is required. No walk-ins.
- Be on time so we can make the most of our time in the field.
- Rain or shine.
- Trail conditions can vary; portions of the trail may be wet. Uneven natural trails.
- Photos may be taken for social media. Let us know if you'd rather not be included.
- Please cancel if you can’t make it—someone else may be waiting.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty/wet.
- Closed toe shoes you don’t mind getting muddy or wet.
- Bring sun protection (hats, glasses etc.) and bug spray.
- Bring water and a water bottle.
This is a wonderful chance to spend time outdoors, learn from top naturalists while connecting with fellow nature enthusiasts.
We love seeing your nature pics! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook
Questions or accommodation requests? Reach out at
About Your Guide:
CJ McCartney, Environmental Steward
After moving to South Florida from Chicago in the late nineties, CJ McCartney underwent a shift in interests. Unfettered from her company, and now living in a subtropical climate, she began cycling and hiking natural habitats and started noticing the wildlife that lived in and depended upon them for survival.
Along with a changing philosophy from “Somebody ought to do something about that, to one day realizing that she could do something,” she started learning how to be a knowledgeable and effective Environmental Steward. Along with training to become a Master Gardener, she started taking a variety of botanical and horticulture classes and seminars to supplement her formal education from Harvard University in public policy and urban management.
Currently, she is the Master Gardner in Residence at Ann Norton Sculpture Garden and serves on Audubon Everglades Advisory Board and several state and local Boards and committees. She leads a Conservation Conversation and Art & Nature Series focusing on reconciliation ecology.
Two decades later, that budding interest takes many forms – photographing nature, speaking to community groups as well as designing/installing pollinator and wildflower gardens are just some of the ways it shows up today.
She approaches community service with an underlying belief that – together - we can mitigate the loss of natural habitats by creating a patch or a plot of wildlife friendly spaces to offer our homeless wildlife and native plants a safe and welcoming haven that establishes wildlife corridors while restoring biodiversity.
Contact information: CJ McCartney, [email protected] Instagram: @Botanizingbirdingbutterflies
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Pine Glades Natural Area, 14122 West Indiantown Road, Jupiter, United States
USD 0.00
