Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Let's Get Botanical!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Audubon Everglades gets botanical this year and kicks off a new series of hikes focused on exploring Florida’s habitats and the variety of native plants that flourish in them.

Explore Scrub, Hammocks and Flatwoods to see exciting wildflower meadows, orchids and other interesting rare plants. Learn about the interactions plants have not only with each other but with birds, pollinators and butterflies. Along with endangered plants, we’ll see rare and imperiled plants in different native plant communities and how they flourish when protected.

Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious nature enthusiast, these hikes will offer fresh perspectives on the natural world, helping you connect more deeply with the habitats and native plants that make South Florida exceptional.

Bring your camera, your curiosity and hiking boots, and get ready to expect the unexpected.

Discover Jonathan Dickinson State Park with CJ McCartney & Stephanie Dunn

Meeting Spot: Kitching Creek Nature Trail

GPS: 26°59'35"N 80°08'48"W

Join Audubon Everglades and expert naturalists CJ McCartney and Stephanie Dunn for an unforgettable nature hike through the diverse ecosystems of Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

Starting at Kitching Creek, explore the six unique habitats to see the variety of native plant communities that grow in each one. Expect to see amazing fall wildflowers that are stunning in their color and abundance.

After Kitching Creek, we will wrap up the hike at another location to see the Scrub Jays that make JD their home.

By both foot and vehicle, we’ll explore the park’s living mosaic of Florida’s native plants, birds, and landscapes. This immersive experience will open your eyes to the hidden wonders of the park—culminating in an exciting search for one of Florida’s most charismatic birds: The Florida Scrub-Jay.

Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious nature enthusiast, this outing will offer fresh perspectives on the natural world, helping you connect more deeply with the habitats and native plants that makes this state park exceptional.

What to Expect:

• A guided walk of Kitching Creek Natural Trail to explore the native plants and wildflowers that are unique to this ecosystem.
• Drive through scenic, bird-rich terrain
• Fascinating habitat and plant facts and field insight from naturalists
• An opportunity to see the connection of native plants, pollinators and birds.
• Observe at least 6 different plant communities: Sandhill, Wet Flatwoods, Depression Marsh, Mesic Flatwoods, Scrubby Flatwoods, and Scrub and the plant communities that grow in them.
• A plant check list and an iNaturalist project to remember the trails you walked and the plants you saw.

Your Guides for this hike:

CJ McCartney, Audubon Everglades Advisory Board, Environmental Steward

Stephanie Dunn , President of Broward County Florida Native Plant Society, Landscape Architect

Logistics:

• Main Park Entrance: located at 16450 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455.
• Park Admission: $6.00 entrance fee per vehicle (2 to 8 occupants), $4.00 entrance fee for single-occupant vehicle
• Meeting Spot: Kitching Creek Nature Trail is located near the river area, which is approximately a 10-minute drive from the main park entrance.
• Restrooms: There are restrooms and water fountains available near the trailhead.

Good to Know:

• Registration is required. No walk-ins.
• Please cancel if you can’t make it—someone else may be waiting.
• Be on time so we can make the most of our time in the field.
• Rain or shine, unless there's a hurricane.
• Trail conditions can vary, portions of the trail may be wet. The Kitching Creek Natural Trail will have compacted ground for easy walking. Other spots on the trip will have sandier terrain.
• Photos may be taken for social media. Let us know if you'd rather not be included.
• We love seeing your nature pics! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook

This is a wonderful chance to spend time outdoors, learns from top naturalists, and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts.

What to Bring:

• Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty/wet.
• Closed toe shoes you don’t mind getting muddy or wet.
• Bring sun protection (hats, glasses etc.) and bug spray
• Bring water and a water bottle

Questions or accommodation requests? Reach out at fieldtrips@auduboneverglades.org

About Your Guide:

CJ McCartney, Environmental Steward & Audubon Everglades

After moving to South Florida from Chicago in the late nineties, CJ McCartney underwent a shift in interests. Unfettered from her company, and now living in a subtropical climate, she began cycling and hiking natural habitats and started noticing the wildlife that lived in and depended upon them for survival.

Along with a changing philosophy from “Somebody ought to do something about that, to one day realizing that she could do something,” she started learning how to be a knowledgeable and effective Environmental Steward. Along with training to become a Master Gardener, she started taking a variety of botanical and horticulture classes and seminars to supplement her formal education from Harvard University in public policy and urban management.

Currently, she is the Master Gardner in Residence at Ann Norton Sculpture Garden and serves on Audubon Everglades Advisory Board and several state and local Boards and committees. She leads a Conservation Conversation and Art & Nature Series focusing on reconciliation ecology.

Two decades later, that budding interest takes many forms – photographing nature, speaking to community groups as well as designing/installing pollinator and wildflower gardens are just some of the ways it shows up today.

She approaches community service with an underlying belief that – together - we can mitigate the loss of natural habitats by creating a patch or a plot of wildlife friendly spaces to offer our homeless wildlife and native plants a safe and welcoming haven that establishes wildlife corridors while restoring biodiversity.

Contact information: CJ McCartney, cjmpbc@gmail.com

Instagram: @Botanizingbirdingbutterflies