Bill Dunson's nature walks & talks

 
Bill Dunson

wdunson@comcast.net
276-233-6364 cell phone
I.  NON-WILDFLOWER WALKS & TALKS
 A.  Nature Walks in Englewood Area other than at Wildflower Preserve-  These are hikes led by Bill and/or Margaret Dunson that will identify and discuss the ecology of the habitats encountered including animals and plants (birds, bugs & blooms).  Except where indicated they are from 9-11 AM.  For information contact Bill at wdunson@comcast.net
   & Al Squires will be from 12:15 - 1 PM and from 1:15-2 PM
Feb. 2-  A 2.5 mile hike to the end of Stump Pass State Park to study beach and barrier island ecology.  Sponsored by Sierra Club- contact Allain Hale ( allainhale@hotmail.com ) for information and reservations.  Meet at the southern end of Manasota Key in Englewood in the park parking lot (fee required). 
 
Feb. 12-  An ecological tour of Oyster Creek Preserve starting at the San Casa entry (between the skate park and dog park/SPCA).  Sponsored by CHEC ( http://www.checflorida.org/  ). 
 
Feb. 15-  A tour of Thornton Key Preserve and a discussion of barrier island ecology, plants and animals.  Sponsored by Islandscapers.  Contact Bill ( wdunson@comcast.net ) for information about ferry access and reservations. 
 
Feb. 28-  Birds of Myakka State Forest starting at 8 AM at the western entry on River Rd across from the Myakka Pines Golf Course and just north of the intersection of Winchester Blvd and River Rd., Englewood.  Sponsored by VABA ( http://www.abbiesworld.org/references.html ).  Contact Bill at wdunson@comcast.net for information.
 
 
B.  Powerpoint presentations on topics other than Wildflower Preserve.  For information contact Dr. Bill Dunson (wdunson@comcast.net ).
 
Dec. 12-  Natural history of Englewood presented to S Manasota Key Association at 2-3 PM in the Beach to Bay Community Center just north of the Circle K Market and Chadwick Beach Park on the southern end of Manasota Key, Englewood.   
 
Jan. 17- "Natural Wonders of Englewood Parks" presented to the Camera Club at 1 PM in a location TBA.  Contact Bill ( wdunson@comcast.net ) for information.
 
Feb. 7-  "Englewood Birding" to be presented for Lemon Bay Fest at the Elsie Quirk Library at 10:30-11:30 AM.  Contact Toni Hopper ( thopper@scgov.net ) for information.
 
Feb. 9-  "Englewood Birding" to be presented for Lemon Bay Fest at the Tringali Center at 2 - 3 PM.  Contact Lynda Citro ( Lynda.Citro@charlottefl.com ) for information.
 
Feb. 22- "Natural Wonders of Englewood Parks" to be presented for the Lemon Bay Historical Society at the Green St Church in Englewood.  Contact Jean Airey ( jairey2000@yahoo.com ) for information.
 
Mar. 15- "Backyard Wildlife Gardening" to be presented at the annual banquet of the Peace River Audubon Society ( http://www.peaceriveraudubon.org/ ).  Check this website for location, time and reservations.
 
 
 
 
II.  WILDFLOWER WALKS & TALKS
A. Nature Walks at Wildflower Preserve:  2011-2012
All walks start at 9 AM and end about 11+ AM in the parking lot at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd. (zip 33947). Gasparilla Pines Blvd is south of Englewood and Grove City along Placida Rd (rt 775).  Look for the signs to Amberjack and Wildflower Preserves, between W. Rotonda Blvd. and the Palm Island ferry dock, and turn east for one block.   General information can be obtained from the naturalists that lead the walks, Bill Dunson (  wdunson@comcast.net  ), Dave Clayton (  cactus.zeke@gmail.com  ), or from the Lemon Bay Conservancy, LBC (  http://www.lemonbayconservancy.org/  ).   Nov. 12- Hike "across the border" from Amberjack Preserve through adjacent Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by the Sierra Club.  Dec. 3- Study the ecology of Wildflower Preserve on a circle hike. Sponsored by LBC. Dec. 14- Observe the plants and animals of Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by LBC. Dec. 31- Hike "across the border" from Amberjack preserve thorugh adjacent Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by LBC. Jan. 14-  Examine the ecology of Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by LBC. Jan. 25- Hike "across the border" from Amberjack Preserve through adjacent Wildflower Preserve. Sponsored by LBC. Jan. 28- Study the plants of Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by FL Native Plant Soc. (members and guests only) Feb. 11- Observe the ecology of Wildflower Preserve Sponsored by LBC. Feb. 14- Experience the trails of Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by Placida Harbour Club (members & guests only). Feb. 22- Examine the ecology of Wildflower Preserve. Sponsored by LBC. Feb. 25- Observe and discuss restoration ecology of Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by Sarasota Native Plant Soc. Mar. 10- Hike Wildflower Preserve & study ecology. Sponsored by LBC. Mar. 17- Hike "across the border" from Amberjack Preserve through adjacent Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by LBC. Mar. 28- Study the ecology of Wildflower Preserve.  Sponsored by LBC.   B. Powerpoint Presentations about Wildflower Preserve:   These consist of a presentation ("Designing a Nature Preserve- the Wildflower Experience") by Dr. Bill Dunson  ( wdunson@comcast.net ) of digital slides that depict the origin of the preserve, its subsequent metamorphosis into quality wildlife habitats, plans for the future and a discussion of management goals.   Nov. 17- Presentation sponsored by Peace River Audubon Society (   http://www.peaceriveraudubon.org/  ) at  6:30- 8PM located at 2565 Tamiami Trail, Pt Charlotte. Dec. 7- Sponsored by Lemon Bay Conservancy ( http://www.lemonbayconservancy.org/   ) from 2-3 PM at Boca Grande Community Center. Jan. 10- Sponsored by FL Native Plant Soc.-Englewood from 7-8 PM at Lemon Bay Park meeting room. Jan. 12- Sponsored by Islandscapers from 10--11 AM at location TBA on Knight/Palm Islands. Jan. 24- Sponsored by Lemon Bay Historical Soc. from 7-8 PM at Green St. Church, Englewood. Feb. 20- Sponsored by FL Native Plant Soc.- Sarasota from 7-8 PM at Selby Gardens in Sarasota. Mar. 20- Sponsored by Sierra Club from 7-8 PM at Pt Charlotte Lutheran Church, 2565 Tamiami Trail.