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Field
Trips
What
to Bring and Wear
These trips will all be outside so be sure to bring sunscreen, hat,
water, and comfortable shoes for walking tours which may be in soft-bottom
sandy or wet conditions. Depending on the trip, you may also want
to bring a shell bag, bathing suit, and insulated picnic bag.
Sunday,
May 14
SHELL
KEY EXPLORATION DAY
10:45 AM - 5 PM
Take a short, 10 minute boat ride to a barrier island nature preserve
where available activities include shelling, sunbathing, swimming,
snorkeling, wildlife watching. Beach umbrellas, masks and snorkels
are available for rent. You can return on your own schedule, at
either of 2 departures that day. There are no facilities on the
island, but the shuttle has a full-size marine toilet.
Cost:
$25 (all fees; buy your own lunch at pier)
Maximum number of participants: 49
SHELL
KEY KAYAKING EXCURSION
11 AM - 5 PM
This trip is a half day "get-away" tour which involves
a 1½ mile paddle through mangrove tunnels and a bird estuary,
out to Shell Key, an undeveloped barrier island, for a late lunch.
You will have time to picnic and explore Shell Key for a while before
paddling back.
Cost:
$75 per adult (including kayak rental, lunch, guide, transportation)
Minimum size group needed: 9
Maximum number of participants: 14
EGMONT
KEY STATE PARK AND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - CANCELED
9
AM - 1 PM
Take a 45 minute boat ride to a small island offshore of St. Pete
Beach that is a historic battle site, state park and national wildlife
refuge. Activities on the island include taking a hike/walk to tour
the historic ruins of Fort Dade, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling
around the ruins, or just spending time on the beach. There are
no facilities on the island, but the shuttle has a full-size marine
toilet.
Cost:
$45 adult, $35 child (includes boat tour, mask and snorkel, cold
drinks)
Maximum number of participants: 26
DOLPHIN
WATCH SAILING TOUR
2 - 4 PM
This trip takes you on a 2-hour sail around Boca Ciega Bay to look
for dolphins. Dolphin sightings aren't guaranteed, but with over
700 identified dolphins living in the area, Dolphin Landings trips
see them 99% of the time. Dolphin Landing's large sail boats (40-50
feet) offer a comfortable sail around the bay, and are an excellent
way to quietly and carefully get to view wild dolphins.
Cost:
$35 (includes boat and transportation)
Tuesday,
May 16
FORT
DESOTO STATE PARK AND BEACH
12:30 - 5:30 PM
This trip will consist of a tour of Fort DeSoto led by a State Park
ranger and "on-your-own" time, where trip participants
can explore the beach (rated #1 in American in 1999) or rent a kayak
and explore the dolphin and manatee populations of Mullet Key.
Cost:
Option A: Fort Tour and Beach/Shelling Exploration- included in
your registration
Option B: Fort Tour and Canoe/Kayak rental - $25-30 paid on site
to kayak vendor
NOAA HABITAT RESTORATION SITE VISITS
12:30 - 5:30 PM
The NOAA Restoration Center and Tampa Bay Watch have teamed up to
provide a field trip in which participants will learn about current
habitat restoration efforts taking place in Tampa Bay. This field
trip will be divided into three different activities: 1) a boat
trip to visit the Tarpon Key restoration project; 2) a land-based
visit to the Ft. DeSoto Hydrologic restoration project; and 3) a
demonstration of oyster and salt marsh restoration techniques, which
will be held at Tampa Bay Watch's new waterfront facility.
Cost:
included in your registration
Maximum number of participants: 50
FLORIDA
AQUARIUM VISIT/PORT OF TAMPA BOAT TOUR
12:30 - 5:30 PM
Trip participants will do a self-guided tour through the Florida
Aquarium and then take an "eco-tour" aboard the "Bay
Spirit", a 64-foot, 49-passenger catamaran, lead by aquarium
staff into Tampa Bay to view birds, dolphins, manatees, and other
aquatic life and their natural habitats.
Cost:
$30 (admission required in addition to your conference registration)
Boat Tour Group Size: minimum needed is 15; maximum is 49 people
HONEYMOON
ISLAND STATE PARK OR SAND KEY PARK BEACH NOURISHMENT TRIP
12:30 - 5:30 PM
Trip participants will visit a recently nourished beach site at
either Honeymoon Island State Park or at Sand Key Park to discuss
the Florida State regulatory process for beach nourishment projects.
Additional activities associated with this trip include birdwatching
and beachcombing. This trip will be lead by a staff member in the
Florida DEP.
Cost:
included in your registration
Maximum number of participants: 30
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