St. Johns County Naturalist Programs

Explore St. Johns County

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

Freshwater Fishing 101
Wednesday, April 24 – Freshwater Fishing 101: Knot Tying Registration
Wednesday, May 1 – Freshwater Fishing 10: Live & Artificial Bait Registration
Wednesday, May 8 – Freshwater Fishing 101: Traps & Nets Registration
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Where: Shands Pier, 9934 Shands Pier Rd., St. Johns
Details: Learn the ins and outs of freshwater fishing in Florida. Sign up for one class or attend the whole series. Bring your own gear and learn while you fish! Please note that all participants must have a Freshwater Fishing License or be a Florida Resident age 65 and up. Obtain a fishing license. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

Kayak Fishing
Wednesday, May 8 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. –  Nocatee Saltwater Fishing Details
Details: Join Park Naturalist AyoLane Halusky for a morning of freshwater fishing while you explore various creeks, coves, and the St. Johns River. Bring your own boat and fishing license. The cost of this program is $20. For more info and to register, contact AyoLane Halusky at ahalusky@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0348.

Wild Edibles + Medicinal Plants
Friday, May 10 – Wild Edibles + Medicinal Plants Registration, 630 Vaill Point Rd., St. Augustine
Time: 10:00 a.m. –  12:00 p.m.
Details: Join Park Naturalist AyoLane Halusky and learn about wild edibles and medicinal plants found in our parks. Bring your questions and journals to record your findings. This program is FREE and open to all ages. You must RSVP on Eventbrite to participate. For more info, contact AyoLane Halusky at ahalusky@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0348.

Kid's Beach Yoga
Friday, May 17 from 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Where: SJC Pier Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach
Details: Learn to relax your mind and body with some simple, kid-friendly stretches, exercises, and activities. Please wear loose clothing and bring your own towel or mat. This program is FREE and open to kids ages 4 to 12. Kids Yoga Details. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

Treasures of the Beach
When: Friday, May 3
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: THE PLAYERS Community Center, 175 Landrum Ln., Ponte Vedra
Details: We’ve partnered with GTM Research Reserve for a Living Sustainably lecture series. This lecture will focus on Treasure of the Beach. Our East Coast beaches are constantly changing and bringing new items up for us to see. Shells, sea beans, grasses, shark’s teeth, and marine debris; learn how to identify these items, where they come from, and so much more! Treasures of the Beach Registration. This program is FREE, but you must register on Eventbrite to attend. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

Vilano Beach Cleanup
When: Friday, May 3
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Vilano Beach, 2750 Anahma Dr., Vilano Beach
Details: Help kick off sea turtle nesting season at a community beach cleanup supported by St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and Coastal Conservation Association. Vendors and community booths will be on-site and participants will be given all supplies needed to clean up the beach. There will be prizes for the most trash collected, so grab a friend and hit the sand! For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

904 Naturalist Series – Exploring the Life of Plants & Trees
When: May 15, 17, 22, 23, 24, and 29
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Main Library Branch and various locations around St. Johns County
Details:Learn about the diverse environment that surrounds us and become a 904 Naturalist. There will be four programs with each one comprised of six classes held over three weeks. The fourth and last program is focused on Exploring the Life of Plants & Trees. Participants must be able to attend all six classes. This program is FREE and open to adults ages 18 and up. Life of Plants & Trees Registration. For more info, contact AyoLane Halusky at ahalusky@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0348.

Not in Your Backyard
When: Friday, May 24
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: THE PLAYERS Community Center, 175 Landrum Ln., Ponte Vedra
Details: Ever wonder how to identify and remove the plants that are “bad” for your yard and the environment? We’ve partnered with GTM Research Reserve for an opportunity to learn about invasive plant species within Northeast Florida. Not In Your Backyard Details. This program is FREE. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

Palmo Waterway Cleanup
When: Thursday, May 30
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Palmo Boat Ramp, 8600 Palmo Fish Camp Rd., St. Augustine
Details: Help keep our waterways clean! We provide all of the necessary supplies. Grab a friend and give back to the environment with a guided waterway cleanup of the St. Johns River and Palmo Cove. Palmo Waterway Cleanup Registration. This program is FREE, but you must register on Eventbrite to attend. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.


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.