Nature Coast

Our speaker will be Bill Bilodeau, past president  of the Pinellas Chapter of FNPS. Bill is a long time professional gardener who designs and installs native plant landscapes. He will discuss important basics, tools needed, and answer questions about how to keep your native plants looking good all year round. This is one not to miss as we all need to know how to keep our garden attractive!   

A self-guided driving tour of Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area in Citrus County. The tour is 8 miles through a variety of habitats. The guide brochure says the drive takes from 1.5 to 2 hours if one stops at the suggested points of interest for short walks. The unpaved, single lane road is fairly well maintained and traverses pine uplands, transitional zones, and penetrates deep within the largest and most pristine hardwood swamp south of the Suwannee River. There are no facilities along the way. Bring drinks, food, binoculars, and field guides and we'll enjoy a roving picnic in the wilderness. Directions: The entrance to Chassahowitzka WMA is on the west side of US19 in Citrus County, about 10 miles north of Weeki Wachee (SR50). Meet at the “Iron Ranger” station at 10am. There is an honor system fee of $3 per person or $6 per vehicle, but people over 65 or under 16 are free.  Carpooling: To carpool, meet in the old Publix parking lot (behind Wendy's) on the northwest corner of US19 and SR52 at 9:15am. (Take SR52 west past Wendy's and the bank and turn right. Go into the parking area. We meet at the east end near Wendy's.)