St. Johns County Naturalist Programs
AyoLane Halusky, County Naturalist | P: (904) 209-0348 | F: (904) 209-0321 | E: ahalusky@sjcfl.us
Activities at St. Johns County Parks may be scheduled for school trips, home school groups, Scouts, 4-H and other youth or adult groups. Park Naturalist Programs are free and open to the public. Contact AyoLane Halusky, County Naturalist at ahalusky@sjcfl.us or call (904) 209-0348 to schedule activities.
Announcements, Events, Activities
ACA Kayak Quickstart Course
When: Saturday, August 26
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Trout Creek Park, 6795 Collier Road, St. Augustine, FL 32092
Details: The course will focus on the fundamentals of kayaking including kayak designs, trip planning, and water safety. In addition, participants will get the opportunity to learn and practice basic paddle strokes and rescue techniques. The course will be led by two Level 2 Certified ACA instructors.
Cost: $80 per Participant
More Information / Registration: Please contact Kelly Ussia at 904.209.0335 or kussia@sjcfl.us. When setting up a reservation please include a phone number, email, and if you will be using a county kayak.
Sunset Dolphin Walk
When: Thursday, August 24, & Friday, August 25
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Vilano Beach, 2750 Anahma Dr., Vilano
Details: St. Johns County Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that we have partnered with Marineland Dolphin Adventure to offer a FREE beach walk! Staff will guide participants on a beach walk while looking for dolphins and enjoying the sunset over the city of St. Augustine. During the walk, you will get to learn all about dolphin anatomy and behavior, as well as other marine species.
More Information and Registration: Please contact Kelly Ussia at (904) 209-0335 or kussia@sjcfl.us. When setting up a reservation please include a phone number, email address, and the number in your party.
FREE Kayak Trip
When: Thursday, September 7, Friday, September 8, Saturday September 9, Sunday September 10
Time: Thursday: 9 a.m., Friday: 10 a.m., Saturday & Sunday: 11 a.m.
Where: Fort Matanzas National Monument, 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine
Details: St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the National Park Service to bring you an exciting kayak trip! During this trip, you will get to view the fort from a whole new perspective and paddle through the marsh to experience Southeast Intracoastal Waterway Park. Seats are limited.
More Information and Registration: Please contact Kelly Ussia as (904) 209-0335 or kussia@sjcfl.us. When setting up a reservation please include a phone number, email, date of the trip, and if you will be using a county kayak. Please note that if you are bringing your own kayak, it must be at least 12ft long.
Children's International Coastal Cleanup Day
When: Saturday, September 16
Time: 10:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m.
Where: Nease Beachfront Park, 3171 Coastal Highway, St. Augustine
Details: Bring your entire family down for a morning of education, service, and fun! Help celebrate International Coastal Cleanup day by learning about marine debris, participating in a beach cleanup, and creating an upcycled craft. Ages 5 and up are welcome. All children participating must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
More Information and Registration: Please contact Kelly Ussia at (904) 209-0335 or kussia@sjcfl.us. When setting up a reservation please include a phone number, e-mail address, and indicate the number in your party.
Sunset Dolphin Walk
When: Wednesday, September 20, Thursday, September 21, & Friday, September 22
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Vilano Beach, 2750 Anahma Dr., Vilano
Details: St. Johns County Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that we have partnered with Marineland Dolphin Adventure to offer a FREE beach walk! Staff will guide participants on a beach walk while looking for dolphins and enjoying the sunset over the city of St. Augustine. During the walk, you will get to learn all about dolphin anatomy and behavior, as well as other marine species.
More Information and Registration: Please contact Kelly Ussia at (904) 209-0335 or kussia@sjcfl.us. When setting up a reservation please include a phone number, email address, and the number in your party.
Vision
To provide St. Johns County residents and visitors with opportunities to become better educated about the wilderness systems, historical relevance and sharing St. Johns County's Blue and Green-Ways areas along side the natural communities, mutually benefiting from each other.
Mission
To provide opportunities for the visitors and citizens of St. Johns County to experience and learn about our local natural and historical areas, creating a deeper connection while supporting sustainable communities that work with the Earth's natural systems.
Goals and Values
- Education: Offering programs that teach individuals and groups about our environment, flora and fauna, local history, and the interaction between natural systems and the developed world. These programs are designed to foster connections with the environment by dispelling fears and fables and empowering individuals with knowledge, safe wilderness practices, and positive experiences.
- Exploration: Come kayak and hike through our Green- and Blue-way spaces with a trained naturalist. Develop a life-long connection with the environment while exploring our passive parks and waterways. Offering group and individual tours, special events and programs. Public and private, day and overnight trips can be arranged seasonally.
- Preservation: As we come together as a community that understands the value of our natural areas, we can develop ways to promote, protect, and preserve local wilderness and waterways for future generations. The St. Johns County Naturalist Program will work with local conservation groups and volunteers in environmental programming, events, and clean-ups.
Programs & Activities
- Nature Walks and Programs
- Kayaking
- Master Naturalist Classes
- Volunteer & Educational Opportunities
- Explore Blue-way and Green-way Trails
SJC Parks and Recreation – Where everybody plays
