Timucuan Parks Foundation is partnering with Talbot Islands State Parks for a National Trails Day event on Saturday, June 3. The two organizations will be leading a four-mile Healthy Living hike and beach cleanup at Little Talbot Island State Park from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 12157 Heckscher Dr. Participants should arrive 30 minutes before the event begins to park and prepare. Admission is free for this service project.
The National Trails Day event at Little Talbot Island State Park features a presentation on Lyme disease prevention and treatment by an Encore Research Group physician followed by a two-mile hike along the Dune Ridge Trail which will take hikers through a canopy of live oaks, cedars and sabal palms. Participants will then walk two miles back along the picturesque beach for the “Leave it Better Than You Found It” hike and shoreline cleanup. Closed-toe shoes and layered clothing are recommended. Please bring a full reusable water bottle and bug spray. TPF will provide additional water, snacks and insect repellent.
Students can earn community service hours for this hike and cleanup. Children under 16 must be supervised by their parent/guardian or scout leader during the project. Anyone under 18 years old must have the signature of a parent/guardian on the liability waiver prior to starting work. The waiver can be accessed at https://www.timucuanparks.org/volunteer/. Questions about this event can be directed to TPF at info@timucuanparks.org or (904) 374-1107 before Saturday. Talbot Islands State Parks can be reached at (904) 251-2320.
National Trails Day takes place each year on the first Saturday in June to promote advocacy and trail service. It was established by the American Hiking Society to recognize the federal, state and local natural outdoor spaces that provide incredible benefits including recreation, exposure to nature and a way to boost mental and physical health.