Camp along the St. Johns River from Malabar to Mims, ride through Brevard on horseback like a cowboy or paddle the Indian River Lagoon during the Brevard Wildlife Corridor Expedition. The expedition will be a 15 day event to build awareness of conservation lands and wildlife corridors in Brevard County.
Inspired by the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition that was completed in April 2012 when bear biologist Joe Guthrie, conservationist Mallory Lykes Dimmitt, and photojournalist Carlton Ward Jr. trekked from the Everglades National Park toward Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southern Georgia. The trio traversed the wildlife habitats, watersheds and participating working farms and ranches, which comprise the Florida Wildlife Corridor area. The purpose is raising awareness about the fleeting opportunity to connect natural and rural landscapes in order to protect the waters, working farms and ranches, the forests, and the combined habitat these lands provide for Florida’s diverse wildlife, including panthers and black bears.
The Brevard Expedition will feature active involvement of many residents and visitors and offer a variety of activities that relate to the natural areas of Brevard County. These activities will appeal to a wide range of interests, ages and fitness levels.
“The premise of the event is to raise awareness, not money,” Vince Lamb of the Brevard Nature Alliance board of directors explains, “for participants to learn more about wildlife and the importance of preserving Florida in its natural state.”
The moving festival includes:
- Many choices of hikes
- Nature-based field trips
- Paddling
- Cycling (road and trail)
- Boat trips (airboat, pontoon and more)
- Photography workshops
- Environmental education
- History and archaeology programs
- Geocaching
- Horseback riding
- Airplane rides
Social events
April 6-8: South Mainland St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
April 9-11: Various mainland Areas Activities in various mainland locations moving north
April 12-15: North Brevard Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary
April 16-18: Merritt Island and the barrier island Activities along Merritt Island and the barrier island moving south
April 19-21: South Beaches Barrier Island Center in the Archie Carr NWR