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New benches installed out at Lake Townsen!

🍂 Fall is in full bloom on Florida’s Adventure Coast! 🌸

While other places are trading color for cold, our trails are bursting with vibrant pinks and purples. From the soft, feathery plumes of muhly grass at the Weekiwachee Preserve to the brilliant blazing star and other wildflowers painting the Withlacoochee State Forest – Croom Tract, nature is putting on a show you won’t want to miss. 🌾💜

Grab your hiking boots, your camera, and a sense of wonder — it’s the perfect time to hit the trails and see the beauty of fall, Florida-style! 🍁✨

#FLAdventureCoast #FallinFlorida #LoveFL #FloridaLife #WeekiWachee

Some Cypress trees at Cypress Lake Preserve… its namesake!

This was captured the other day on a trail camera at Fickett Hammock preserve. 2 cardinals fighting over a meal! The cardinal on the left is a male and the one on the right is a female. The most notable difference is in color, the males are a bright red, whereas the females are more of a tan /light brown with hints of red.

On one of our many beautiful hiking trails at Lake Townsen Preserve, and if you look closely in the middle the image you can spot one of the many furry friends that call our preserve home!

Fickett Hammock is closed today for hurricane debris removal. We appreciate your understanding.

Fickett Hammock is open. All tree debris has been removed from the trails and the bridges are back in place.

Whether you want to explore coastal habitats, the sandhill forests, or the cypress domes, you’ll find a trail that suits your interests and abilities. 🍃

Here are some of the best spots for a short hike on #FLAdventureCoast:
1. The Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area
2. Chinsegut Conservation Center Tract
3. Nature Coast Botanical Gardens
4. Weekiwachee Preserve
5. McKethan Lake Day Use Area

How many of the parks and preserves have you visited?

#Brooksville #brooksvillefl #weekiwachee #weekiwacheesprings #hernandocounty #thisishernando #loveFL #florida #floridahikes #floridaoutdoors

Hernando County summer campers got to go on a hike at Fickett Hammock Preserve today! They hiked about a mile and braved the Florida humidity with only a few complaints! 😂🌞 So much fun to share our beautiful hiking trails with the next generation!

#eslhernando #hernandocountyfl #summercamp #hikingadventures

Check out this gopher tortoise baby! 🐢Seen at Lake Townsen Preserve on the multi-use trails on the west side cruising along living his best life.

If you didn’t already know, Lake Townsen Preserve is working on becoming a gopher tortoise recipient site permitted through FWC. This has been a long time in the making for the ESL program from invasive plant management, prescribed burns and getting the site just right for these tortoises, and we are nearing the finish line!

Come take a hike out at Lake Townsen and remember to stay hydrated 🌞, it’s been hot out there!!

#eslhernando #hernandocounty #gophertortoise #hiking

🎉🐾 #FloridaWildQuest is on!

Families can participate in this fun scavenger hunt at Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA)🍃 or another wildlife management area now through next Sunday, May 7th.

🥾 You can also join the fun during a hike at nearby Perry Oldenburg WEA this Saturday, May 6th! WildQuest won't be the only focus of the hike, as there are many spring wildflowers and wildlife to look out for as well. 🌼🐢

🐾For more information about how to play, visit https://floridanaturetrackers.com/wildquest

📸: Chinsegut Conservation Center / FWC staff

#FLWildQuest #brooksville #weekiwachee #hernandocounty #brooksvillefl #wildflorida #getoutdoors

On Friday Peck Sink preserve was one site visited by the Sinkhole Conference. This multidisciplinary conference focused on sinkholes and the engineering and environmental impacts of karst. Attendees went over the various geological and hydrological features located on the preserve. A large sinkhole where stormwater drainage from the western side of the City of Brooksville is located at the preserve.

Thank you to the Southwest Florida Management District for their amazing presentation!

Please be aware that Peck Sink preserve does not have developed features for public recreation, it can be accessed during daylight hours by appointment only at this time.

#eslhernando #hernandocounty #southwestfloridawatermanagementdistrict #sinkhole #karst #watersupplymanagement

Beginning October 17, 2022, the trailhead entrance to Cypress Lakes Preserve located at 33241 Ridge Manor Blvd., in Ridge Manor, will be closed to the public. The ESL Program will begin construction of a pavilion at this entrance. Please use the alternate entrance located at 32375 Cortez Blvd.

The trailhead kiosk at the entrance to Cypress Lakes Preserve located at 33241 Ridge Manor Blvd, in Ridge Manor, is now open to the public. Information signs will be installed shortly however there are trail maps available at the kiosk to help you navigate the preserve.
#eslhernando #hernandocounty #cypresslakespreserve #floridatrail

It’s a great day to enjoy Lake Townsen. #hernandocounty #eslhernando #preservenature

Huge thanks to the ladies of Springstead High School Coastal Club for their hard work installing new trail markers at Cypress Lakes Preserve! Now all the trails within the preserve have dedicated markers and use identification. #cypresslakespreserve #eslhernando #conservation #volunteer #community

Celebrate #nationaltrailsday with esl_hernando by hiking one of our beautiful preserves. #eslhernando #fladventurecoast #hiking #wildflorida

Come take a hike at Fickett Hammock Preserve this weekend! #eslhernando #florida #hernandocounty #ficketthammockpreserve #hiking #wildflorida

Make time in the New Year for exploring. Visit the beautiful Cypress Lakes Preserve #eslhernando #floridatrail #floridawildlifecorridor #flnativeplants #fladventurecoast #wildlifephotography #hiking

#floridatrail #withlacoochee

From @tammyfox0123 - Chinsegut Hill path to the Manor House. - Thanks for the photo Tammy!! #chinseguthill #thisishernando #roamflorida #fladventurecoast