Phillippi Farmhouse Market – 8th Season!

Sponsor: Friends of Sarasota County Parks (FOSCP)

Looking for an opportunity to get a little fresh air, meet new people and get healthier and stronger? Join us for a walk to improve health, balance and overall fitness. Enjoy the exercise stations (especially for walkers 50-plus) along the trail. This is a gentle workout and not for advanced fitness buffs. The goal: to strengthen muscles, help minimize the risk of falls, instill a sense of well-being and quality of life through exercise and companionship. Wear comfortable athletic shoes and sun protection and/or hat and bring water. Be prepared to walk 1 – 2 miles on paved and relatively even unpaved trails.

Florida does have seasons, not just for hurricanes and warm vs. hotter weather. Join Sarasota County Volunteer Master Naturalists and Shamrock Park Staff to stroll the trails, relying on changing seasons to bring us new flowers and birds’ nests, insects and animal activity. A little serendipity will find things in unexpected places!

Calling all birding enthusiasts! Be tantalized and wowed by the vast array of bird species and nature found at the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve). Join Sarasota County volunteer guide, Charlie Sample as he leads you on a birding nature journey.  Don’t miss this opportunity to help document the multitude of bird species on the Carlton Reserve. You won’t be disappointed!

 

Join us on a special twilight hike to experience the mystery and intrigue of our natural areas after dark. Look and listen for the sights and sounds of early evening critters and learn about interesting legends and tales surrounding the full moon and other fascinating lunar phenomena. Please be sure to bring a flashlight and insect spray. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Hike along with Sarasota County Parks staff at beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve), as you look for the fascinating diversity of arachnids and their webs. Along the way, learn about the many types of spiders in Florida’s oak hammocks and pine flatwoods.

 

Join Ray Vinson, Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, for a walk and talk to discover the wickedly invasive weeds of Sarasota County. Along the way, you will learn how to identify some of the most common invasive plant species, learn how these species are managed and find out about innovative research concerning biological control of invasive species.

 

Why is it called “Celery Fields”? Why is Celery Fields so popular? And just what is that mountain made of? Learn the answers to these questions and more as you join a Sarasota County Parks Naturalist on a guided walk through the Celery Fields. Be prepared to walk approximately two-miles along mostly unpaved and often uneven rocky or grassy surfaces, some of which will be uphill.

Got bikes? It’s perfect weather to grab the whole family to join us for an off-road wilderness bicycle ride through the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve) for approximately 1 to 2 hours. Expect to see lots of wildlife!

 

Join local history buff, Nancy Eaton at Pocono Trail Preserve to discover the interesting history of the preserve and the surrounding towns of Venice and Nokomis. Learn about people of the Manasota Culture, the interesting stories of local pioneers, including Dr. Fred Albee and the luxury hotel known at the Pollyanna Inn that once stood on this site. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful live oak and cabbage palm hammocks and occasional glimpses of Shakett Creek as you learn about the history of this interesting area.

Join Sarasota County volunteer guides, amateur botanists and Florida Native Plant Society members, Denny Girard and Al Squires in a search for blooming flowers at the beautiful Shamrock Park. This easy trek has paths that are both paved and handicap accessible.

Explore a variety of natural habitats at Red Bug Slough Preserve with a  Environmental Specialist, who will identify both native and non-native plants and resident wildlife inhabiting our preserves. No matter what the season, there is always something beautiful in bloom or the potential to see interesting wildlife.