FIELD TRIP – Blackwater River State Forest

Join us for a day of exploration at Blackwater River State Forest as we visit lupine habitats and search for the endangered Frosted elfin butterfly. Mackenzie Sconyers, a Threatened & Endangered Species Technician with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will guide us through the sites. Mackenzie has been working closely with the Frosted elfin and its host plant, Sundial lupine, and will share her expertise and insights about the ongoing conservation efforts.

The day will begin at Karick Lake South Campground before we head to several other locations, including roadsides with modified mowing schedules, lupine planting sites, and hopefully, opportunities to observe eggs, caterpillars and perhaps adult butterflies in their natural habitat.

This trip will include some off-trail hiking, up to a quarter mile at a time, and participants should be prepared for over an hour of driving round-trip between the sites and the meet-up location. Carpooling from Karick Lake South Campground is optional and will be arranged at the site.

Important Information:

• Participants should come prepared for outdoor conditions and wear suitable clothing for hiking. This trip will entail hiking off trail on uneven and potentially muddy or wet terrain.
• Please note, the 10am start time is in Central Standard Time.
• The Florida Forest Service will waive the day use fee for field trip attendees for this day.

We look forward to a fun and educational day in the field!

Registration is free for Florida Wildflower Foundation members and $10 for nonmembers.