Explore the ecology of a Florida barrier island and visit dunes, marshes, oyster reefs and upland forest within the GTM Reserve, including an experimental site that showcases current dune restoration efforts and research.

This trip will meet at the GTM Visitor’s Center.

Learn more about the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Reserve.

Learn about the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve, part of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the research, monitoring, and management efforts to protect local estuaries. A 1.1-mile hike follows the GTM NERR’s yellow trail and will either 1) lead to the intracoastal waterway for a boat ride that highlights of long-term marsh monitoring efforts along a marsh-mangrove transition zone (first group) or bring you from the boat ride on Intracoastal Waterway to the Guana dam to learn about the cultural history and natural biodiversity of the Guana peninsula (second group). Participants will take the boat ride and the hike.

Enjoy a pontoon boat ride along St. Augustine’s scenic salt marshes to view upcoming restoration and resiliency projects, including UF Center for Coastal Solutions TLP field experiment sites.

UPDATE: This trip will meet at the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, a 5-minute walk from the Hyatt.

Due to lower sign-ups on 2 of the trips, Jen Lomberk (Executive Director of Matanzas Riverkeeper) and Tom Ankersen (UF Law professor emeritus) while combine their formidable policy chops in a Pint & Policy / Beach Walk mash-up — participant input to determine how it all plays out!

Dynamic Dunes: Join Jen Lomberk, Executive Director of Matanzas Riverkeeper, on an exploration of St. Johns County’s changing coastline including a look back at recent hurricane damage and ongoing beach renourishment projects.

Pints & Policy: Law professor emeritus Tom Ankersen will lead a small group of intrepid adventurers to a local watering hole to engage in the time-honored tradition of “crying in ‘yer beer.” Participants are invited to bring their tales of woe: Cases where it would have been easier and cheaper to permit a sea wall than a living shoreline, where filling a wetland to save it was met with disbelief and discourage, where sacrificing sea grass buffers for co-restoration was met with stiff resistance. Between sips, this group will engage in a loosely-structured discussion on policy obstacles and opportunities for nature-based solutions.

This trip will meet at the Hyatt and walk to the dune site (about 10 minutes).

Join staff from the city of St. Augustine and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to view St. Augustine from the water. We will see and discuss numerous resiliency projects and enjoy the amazing waterfront at the Nation’s Oldest City.

This trip will meet at the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, a 5-minute walk from the Hyatt.

Enjoy a walking tour of the Nation’s Oldest City to better understand its unique history and resilience efforts. Join resiliency and historic preservation staff from the city of St. Augustine to discuss ongoing projects.

This trip will begin at City Hall and the group will walk for approximately two hours, including a stop at the Castillo de San Marcos Monument as well as major resilience projects and features.

If none of these trips fit your fancy, check out this list of other ideas for your St. Augustine visit (no sign ups required!).

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Lightner Museum

Anastasia State Park

Fort Mose Historic State Park (pictured above)

St. Augustine Aquarium

(Or you can hit the beach!)