Jul 12 Carlton Reserve Walk. 4-6mi walk( 3hrs) 7:30 a m. Wear sturdy wettable shoes, sunscreen, bring plenty of water and lunch if your time allows. Reserve with Sally 941-484-4113 (Manatee-Sarasota)

Jul 12 Emerson Point Paddle Trip. Cool off while paddling in the waters of the Manatee River and lower Tampa Bay! On this relaxing morning trip, we’ll paddle around Emerson Point and explore the preserve’s shady mangrove forests. We’ll start at the canoe launch and paddle all the way around to the newly constructed dock and back for a 8 to 9-mile trip. Participants must bring their own canoe or kayak and safety equipment. Reservations are required! Call 941-748-4501 ext. 4615. (Manatee-Sarasota)

Jul 12 Hike Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve. We will explore a former phosphate mining site that now offers dramatic scenery along shady and well-marked trails. This 5-mile hike includes a bridge over the North Prong of the Alafia River. Leader: Mike Raff at 813-642-8624 or mikeraff@webtv.net (Manatee-Sarasota)

July 19 Greenwood Urban Wetland and Greenwood Cemetery Full Moon Bike Ride Meet at :00pm. We’ll bike (with daylight) to Greenwood Urban Wetland than ride under a full moon in Greenwood Cemetery, close to downtown Orlando, on Mills Ave. The Greenwood Urban Wetland was built to alleviate flooding and to treat storm water runoff prior to discharge to drainage wells which flow to the Floridian Aquifer. The reuse system allows the City to irrigate the park and the adjacent city-owned cemetery with stormwater instead of potable water, saving the city $25,000 per year. In addition to providing flood protection and stormwater treatment, the 26 acre Lake Greenwood Urban Wetland park includes sidewalks, bridges, and green space. This is an easy ride for about 4 miles but with stops to check out some special graves for people who we know from the name of Orlando streets. When done, we’ll bike to a local restaurant on the corner of Gore and Mills and get a beer or coke. Directions: On Mills Ave., drive south of SR408 to the 4^th Street (Greenwood St.) and turn left (east). Continue to the park and park your car along the north side of the street outside of the cemetery gate. You must have a helmet and bike light. RSVP: Mary-Slater 407-481-4398 flsierra@bellsouth.net (Central)

Jul 19 Beach and nature walk in Guana. An easy two-hour beach walk in the cool of the morning along one of the most pristine beaches in Florida with Naturalist Pete Johnson who will educate us on the critters and birds and flora of the beach. Please bring water, sun tan lotion, a hat, swimsuit, binoculars and lunch if you want to lunch on the beach. After the walk you can, if you wish, visit the Environmental Education Center of Guana, about 5 miles to the south, and see their great environmental exhibits and also see a 1 p.m. nature movie at the Center called “Jungle.” Children are welcome. There is a $3 entrance fee to the beach and a $2 entrance fee to the Center. No reservations are necessary. Leader Brian Paradise e mail bgparadise@comcast.net (Northeast)

Jul 20 Withlacoochee River 8 Mile Kayak (rentals available) Meet at NOBLETON Outpost located on the south Withlacoochee River, 12 miles from Brooksville, the fourth largest river in Florida, and one hour west of Orlando. This is an easy 8 mile paddle and it goes through the Withlacoochee State Forest. This 3 hour trip is good for families. Enjoy the river by renting a kayak (or bring your own) and experience a relaxing, nature filled trip with beautiful scenes and several different types of wildlife. Address: 29295 Lake Lindsey Rd. (CR 476) Nobleton Fl. 34661 Cost: $40.00 for kayak rental or $15.00 shuttle fee for own boat. RSVP: Mary-Slater 407-481-4398 flsierra@bellsouth.net (Central)

Jul 20 5:30 pm. Sunset Walk. We will walk Treasure Island Beach to John’s Pass and back to watch the sunset 3 mi R/T Famous Drum Circle included. Come along and meet new friends as well as shore birds and the other critters we may find along the beach. Bring a chair/food for drum circle (till 10PM) We will meet at the beach side parking lot restrooms at 104 Ave and Gulf Blvd at Treasure Island. Outings Leader Pat Kiesylis 727 421 2746 or goodpat@tampabay.rr.com . No rain date. (Suncoast)

Jul 26 Enjoying the Gilded Age in St. Augustine. Enjoy the splendors of the Gilded Age in two of Henry Flagler’s grand Spanish Renaissance hotels, known presently as the Lightner Museum and Flagler College. (and the nice thing is we will be mostly indoors.) At 9:45 am we will meet in front of the Lightner Museum for a 45-minute tour and then we will walk across the street to Flagler College for another 45-minute tour. After that, if there aren’t too many of us, we can have lunch at the popular Café Alcazar in the Lightner Museum, or we can lunch elsewhere. St. Augustine residents get into the Lightner at no charge. Others will pay $6.00. The Flagler College tour is another $6.00 per person. Car pooling is possible from the Avenues. Please RSVP to Shelly Fine at Humanness1@aol.com or phone 904 620-8115. (Northeast)

Aug 2 Hike through the Florida Panther Refuge. Meet at the offices of the Florida Panther Refuge, located at 3860 Tollgate Blvd, suite 300 (their office is inside the Comfort Suites). From here, we may go by vans provided by the Florida Wildlife Services or car--to be determined. We will have at least one trail guide who can teach us about panther habitat and other interesting facts of the Refuge. Also, we may be permitted to see parts of the refuge that are actually closed to the public! Wear shoes that you do not mind getting wet and dirty as the trails can be very wet. Bring your own bug spray, a hat, and long sleeves might be useful if the mosquitoes are out in force. Birders might want to bring their binoculars. Hike is limited to 25 people. You may pack your lunch and enjoy eating at the picnic tables at the refuge with the guide(s). To participate in this hike, call Sue Trone at (239) 595-1873 or email her at susiesstuff@mac.com . (Calusa)

Aug 3 Pithachascotee River paddle. We will paddle up river from Sim’s Parkas far as is navigable and back, with lunch along the way. This is the natural, uninhabited section of the river, and we will see what natural beauty and wildlife we can find along this nice 6-mile paddle. Leader Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 or bfberauer@aol.com . (Suncoast)

Aug 3 Rock Springs Kayak Start at Kings Landing, Apopka, This trip is eight miles long with several spots to stop and have a snack or just swim. It will take four to five hours. Rock Springs Run is one of the few remaining near-pristine riverine systems in central Florida. This spring flows into the Wekiva, a major tributary of the St. Johns River. Waters forming the upper reaches of the Wekiva River arise from both the Floridan aquifer in the form of clear, natural springs. We’ll take out at Wekiva Landing so we will shuttle cars. 5722 Baptist Camp Road,Apopka, Florida 32712 RSVP: Mary-Slater 407-481-4398 flsierra@bellsouth.net (Central)

Aug 3 5:30 pm. Sunset Walk. We will walk Treasure Island Beach to John’s Pass and back to watch the sunset 3 mi R/T Famous Drum Circle included. Come along and meet new friends as well as shore birds and the other critters we may find along the beach. Bring a chair/food for drum circle (till 10PM) We will meet at the beach side parking lot restrooms at 104 Ave and Gulf Blvd at Treasure Island. Outings Leader Pat Kiesylis 727 421 2746 or goodpat@tampabay.rr.com . No rain date. (Suncoast)

Aug 10 5:30 pm. Sunset Walk. We will walk Treasure Island Beach to John’s Pass and back to watch the sunset 3 mi R/T Famous Drum Circle included. Come along and meet new friends as well as shore birds and the other critters we may find along the beach. Bring a chair/food for drum circle (till 10PM) We will meet at the beach side parking lot restrooms at 104 Ave and Gulf Blvd at Treasure Island. Outings Leader Pat Kiesylis 727 421 2746 or goodpat@tampabay.rr.com. No rain date. (Suncoast)

Aug 24 Shell Key paddle. An easy trip for beginners. Join us for a kayak paddle out to discover the beaches on Shell Key. We will look for and study shells, dolphins, birds and any other wildlife we can find. Leader: Ben Berauer at 727.392.2821, bfberauer@aol.com (Suncoast).

Aug 30 Sunset sea kayak trip to Caladesi Island State Park. Moderate 2 hour paddle to observe the sunset. Bring snacks and drinks. Learn about the history, birds and other wildlife on the Island. Afterwards optional dinner at a local restaurant. Leader: Rudy Scheffer, 727-726-8375 or e-mail: rudy@adventuresworldwide.com (Suncoast)

Sep 13 Hillsborough River Canoe/Kayak trip. Meet early in the morning for an easy 5 hour paddling trip weather permitting. Learn about the abundant wildlife along the river. Rentals available, limited to a total of six boats. Leader Rudy Scheffer, 727-726-8375 or (Suncoast)-

Sep 14 Morning bike ride. We will ride on the Pinellas Trail from Curlew up to Tarpon Springs for a Greek meal by the sponge docks. Learn about the Pinellas Trail, a linear park stretching almost the length of Pinellas. An easy ride of about 18 miles. Leader Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 or bfberauer@aol.com. (Suncoast)

Sep 14-19 Clair Tappaan Lodge, Sierra Nevada Range in California, near Lake Tahoe. Sierra Club volunteers built the lodge back in the 1930s for us Sierrans to enjoy. For the six days five nights with room, board and trail guide the price will be around $500. Our hikes start at 7,000 feet elevation. We’ll hike each day for 3 to 5 hours at a moderate pace with breaks to view the flowers and trees, incredible mountain vistas and have lunch at the peak. The lodge provides family style meals, trail guides, library and bunk style sleeping (bring your own bedding). The size of our group is limited, so get your reservations in early. Very reasonably priced for a breath of fresh air after a summer of swelter. Reno, Nev., is about 45 minutes away. Leave a message with Sharon Guy at 941-321-1218 or Frank Milko at 941-504-2665. Or e-mail shguy2003@yahoo.com. For more info visit http://sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl or search for Clair Tappaan Lodge (Manatee-Sarasota)

Training Event:

Jul 12-13 WFA Course. The University of Florida Student Health Care Center (UF SHCC) announced that they will be holding a two-day Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) Wilderness First Aid (WFA). The WFA course will be held from 9a.m. to 5p.m. at Paynes Prairie State Park. The course, normally $175, is $50 and includes lunch on the first day but participants are required to provide their own lunch on the second day. Anyone interested in enrolling for the class must preregister by calling 352-392-1161 ext. 4283 and paying with a Visa or Mastercard. The deadline for registration is 4:00p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2008.