Bill Dunson Walkabout Myakka Forest

Join guide Dr. Bill Dunson for a nature walk at Myakka State Forest, Main Entrance, 2555 South River Road, Englewood, FL Drive about 1 mile east from River Rd to the main parking lot. We will take a walk on the 1.5 mile Gordon Smith Trail loop to look at spring flowers and discuss factors influencing the ecology of the sub-climax pine flatwoods. There is a relatively pristine wetland along the hike allowing us to examine its ecology which is radically different from the thousands of created wetlands in FL. We will watch for birds and butterflies and compare areas recently burned with those not burned this year. Depending on conditions, about 80 native flatwood and wetland plants may be seen on this trail. This forest is about 8000 acres of relatively undisturbed flatwoods, a very rare habitat in this area. The State Forest has a $2 day pass …