Virtual Florida Master Naturalist – Environmental Interpretation
2020-08-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-24 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-26 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | VIRTUAL
Adults of all knowledge and skill levels are invited to join us to learn about environmental interpretation. Participants of this course will gain deeper insight into how exhibits are made, effective presentation crafting, and the components of a successful guided program. The course is entirely online and is comprised of twice a week classes and guided assignments to be completed on your own. To register or for more information, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904.209.0335.

904 Naturalist Series – Exploring the Life of Mammals
2020-08-19 18:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-22 18:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-23 18:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-26 18:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-29 18:00 - 20:30, 2020-08-30 18:00 - 20:30, 2020-09-02 18:00 - 20:30 | VIRTUAL
In this 904 Naturalist Series, learn about six different mammals indigenous to Northeast Florida. This program is free, but you must sign up for all six classes, and is open to those 18 or older. Register here. For more information, contact AyoLane Halusky at ahalusky@sjcfl.us.
Online through Zoom. Field trip locations to be announced during classes.

6 – 8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, August 19, 26, and September 2.
Field Trips on August 22, 23, 29, and 30. Times to be announced.

Featured image via Facebook

Sunset Under the Sea
2020-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Beach Access at Vilano Beach, 2750 Anahma Drive, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
Join St. Johns County Naturalist Kelly Ussia on a fun and engaging walk to learn about the different wildlife found under the sea and enjoy a beautiful sunset on Vilano Beach. To comply with CDC guidelines and State of Florida executive orders, please register for a walk here. For more information, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904.209.0335.

Dark of the Moon Tour
2020-08-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-08-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-08-23 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-08-28 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-08-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-08-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-09-04 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-09-05 19:30 - 21:30 and 1 more date | St. Augustine Lighthouse, 81 Lighthouse Ave, St. Augustine
The Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour is the only tour that gets you into the Lighthouse at night. The Lighthouse offers two options for this experience, both of which include the option to rent EMF readers.
Ghost tour: This 1.5 to 2 hour tour includes a guided talk through the 1876 Keepers’ House and the 1874 St. Augustine Lighthouse tower. Your guide will share true tales from the history of our Light Station. Tours are offered year round on Friday, Saturday and Sundays and more days during peak times. Purchase a combo ticket with regular daytime admission and save on this tour. Expect larger groups during peak season and holidays.
Investigation Only: See for yourself why we are consistently ranked as one of the most haunted sites in St. Augustine! Investigation Only tours are offered on a more limited basis than the Ghost Tour, with fewer spaces available at each. Rent readers or bring your own equipment.
Space is limited! Purchase tickets online in advance to secure your spot.
On a Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour you not only hear spooky stories based on real history in the lighthouse at night, you also help the Lighthouse investigate our maritime past. Ghost Tours support both maritime archaeology and historic research discoveries at the Museum. Stepping up to shiver down your spine helps save our underwater heritage!

Drive-in Astronomy
2020-08-22 20:30 - 22:00 | St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 S.R. 207, Elkton, FL, 32033, United States
We have partnered with Ancient City Astronomy Club (ACAC) for an educational evening that is out of this world! From the comfort of your vehicle, ACAC will lead an Astronomy 101 class that’s all about the night sky. Register here. For more information, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.
Featured image via Ancient City Astronomy

Nature Photography – Three-Class Workshop
2020-08-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Nease Beachfront Park, 2nd Street, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
Do you have a nice camera and always leave it on auto? Do you wish you could capture the amazing beauty of the nature around you? Then this basics in Nature Photography series is for you. Join local photographer Nicholle Goodnight for three hands-on workshops to sharpen your photography skills. Participants must attend all three workshops, bring their own camera equipment, and be at least 12 years old. Register here. For more information, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904.209.0335.

Lightner Museum Curator’s Tour
2020-09-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
A Lightner Museum curator conducts monthly tours featuring unique and special treasures of the museum. The tours are the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. and offer guests an intimate encounter with a select few of the Lightner’s eclectic relics. Get an insider’s view of the museum’s secrets.
Tours are included in the price of admission and will begin in the front lobby of the museum. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for active duty military and college students, $8 for youth ages 12-17 and free for youth ages 11 and under. Reservations are required.

Cycles of Nature
2020-09-03 07:00 - 08:00, 2020-09-04 07:00 - 08:00 | Butler Park East, 5860 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, United States
Join St. Johns County Park Naturalist Kelly Ussia and Marineland for a beautiful and educational sunrise walk on the beach. Just like the sun rises and sets every day, there are lots of things in nature that occur on a cyclical basis. This walk will focus on how nature tends to repeat itself and how humans can help protect these delicate cycles. This program is free and open to all ages, but registration is required. Register here. For more information, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

First Friday Garden Walk
2020-09-04 10:00 | Washington Oaks Garden State Park, 6400 N Oceanshore Blvd.,, FL
On the first Friday of each month, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park hosts a Garden Walk beginning at 10 a.m. The 45-minute walk is led by a park ranger and will educate guests on the history and variety of the beautiful formal gardens nestled within the maritime hammock of the park.
Fees for the event are listed below:
$5 per vehicle with up to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians/bicyclists.

Owl and Sunset Symphony
2020-09-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Beluthahatchee Park, 1523 State Road 13, Fruit Cove, FL, 32259, United States
Learn about owls and enjoy nature’s symphony as you experience the transition from light to dark. Water birds and owls often come out to join the evening symphony. A representative from The Stetson Kennedy Foundation will share some local history. This program is free, but you must register to attend. Register here. For more information, contact AyoLane Halusky at ahalusky@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0348.

Guided Exploration Hike at GTM Research Reserve
2020-09-05 09:00 - 11:00 | GTM Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Rd, Ponte Vedra
On the first Saturday of every month, from 9-11am, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) hosts a Guided Exploration Hike, where attendees can learn about the cultural history of the Guana Peninsula, as well as the natural ecosystem of the Reserve.
A GTM naturalist will lead the hike and teach about the peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history, including how native peoples made use of the estuarine resources, what European plantation life was like, and current efforts to save those resources.
The hike is free, but there is a $3 per vehicle parking fee at the reserve.
Please call (904) 823-4500 or visit here to reserve a spot on the tour.
