CHNEP Offers Chance to Explore Estuaries Up Close and Personal
Muck about in the shallow waters of our local estuaries to see for yourself some of the aquatic critters that call these shallow waters home and you will quickly understand the importance of these waters. Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is pleased to sponsor wading trips through several local environmental organizations. To register, contact the organization that is offering the program of interest to you. Dates are subject to change due to weather, etc. An updated list will always be posted on this page of the website at www.CHNEP.org. The wading trips listed on this page are scheduled between October 2011 and September 2012.
Ponce De Leon Park in Punta Gorda at 9:30 a.m. Call CHEC Alligator Creek Site at 941/575-5435.
• Friday, March 2, 2012
• Friday, March 9, 2012
• Friday, March 16, 2012
• Friday, March 23, 2012
• Friday, March 30, 2012
• Friday, April 6, 2012
Cedar Point Park in Englewood at 9:00 a.m. Call CHEC Cedar Point Environmental Park at 941/475-0769.
• Wednesday, November 23, 2011
• Thursday, December 15, 2011
• Tuesday, December 27, 2011
• Tuesday, January 3, 2012
• Wednesday, January 11, 2012
• Thursday, January 19, 2012
• Thursday, February 2, 2012
• Monday, February 20, 2012
• Wednesday, March 14, 2012
• Friday, April 13, 2012
• Thursday, May 17, 2012
• Tuesday, June 12, 2012
• Saturday, July 14, 2012
• Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Lovers Key State Park north entrance at 10:00 A.M. Call the ranger station at 239/463-4588 for reservations and directions. Additional guidance.
• Thursday, August 18, 2011
• Friday, September 30, 2011
• Thursday, October 13, 2011
• Tuesday, November 29, 2011
• Thursday, December 15, 2011
• Thursday, January 12, 2012
• Thursday, February 9, 2012
• Tuesday, March 20, 2012
• Thursday, April 12, 2012
• Thursday, May 10, 2012
• Thursday, June 21, 2012
• Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Pine Island Sound on Pine Island at 9:00 a.m. Call Calusa Heritage Trail, Randell Research Center at 239/283-2157. Additional guidance.
• Saturday, October 8, 2012
• Saturday, November 5, 2012
• Saturday, April 7, 2012
• Saturday, April 21, 2012
• Saturday, May 5, 2012
• Saturday, May 19, 2012
Additional guidance
Provided by Lovers Key State Park. Join a Park Naturalist to learn about the marine species that make the estuary and barrier island environments unique, and explore sea grass flats. Seahorses, shrimp, young fish, and egg casings of all sorts inhabit the grasses, which attract larger fish, mollusks and crustaceans, and manatees, dolphins and rays. Guests will get wet as they venture into the estuary so please dress accordingly. The group will meet at the North entrance to Lovers Key State Park at 10:00a.m. The Estuary Wading Trip is sponsored by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP). Call (239) 463-4588 for reservations and directions.
Provided by Randell Research Center: This trip is available to adults and children over 9 years of age. All children must be accompanied by an adult (one adult per 4 children maximum). Please wear sturdy, old shoes, clothing to get wet, and expect to encounter mud! Hats and other sun protection, including sunglasses, are recommended. Bring along a change of shoes if you would like to walk the Calusa Heritage Trail following your "muck about". The Randell Research Center offers a picnic area, well stocked gift/bookstore, bathrooms and a self-guided interpretive trail focusing on the Calusa people and archeology.