Happy February! This month we are headed to our inaugural Mangroves, Manatees and More trip.  We are very excited about exploring the spoil islands and learning about the area, and about the One Lagoon initiative. We still have a couple spots left and hope you can join us!  We will finish our season with our Springtime on the Chipola and Suwannee River Paddling Festival.

Paddle Florida works hard to promote our mission to those who have not heard of us.  To that end, we would like to thank Ruth Nickens (Health, Wellness & Fitness Program Coordinator for Tallahassee Senior Services & Foundation) for her outstanding job of featuring us as the keynote at the FOOT (Fitness & Outdoor Opportunities Together) Paddling Adventure Expo held at the Tallahassee Senior Center on January 8th, 2024. Over 100 folks came out on a stormy afternoon to learn about kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, camping, aquatics, waterways, forestry, parks, trails & more! Featuring a few demonstrations, presentations and exhibitors spotlighting an array of active outdoor adventures, it empowered attendees to explore Florida's waterways, where social connectivity combined with the great outdoors has a multitude of benefits to our health and well-being. 

Just a reminder, our 2024-2025 season will be released on May 1st. Be sure to sign up early and reserve your spot. 

Included in this issue are: The physical and mental benefits of outdoors activities, “Putting Your Best FOOT Forward” by Ruth Nickens, Trouble for Manatees in the Indian River Lagoon, and How to Kayak Around Manatees

When we think about our organic functioning of the body and mind, the automatic question that comes to mind is what are the physical and mental benefits of being outdoors?

Studies also show that being outdoors in nature is relaxing, reduces stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension, and heart rate, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Physical activity can also definitely help to foster social interaction, improve concentration and learning, as well as increase personal confidence and self-awareness and reduce isolation.… [Read More…]

These days, however, with the aging baby boomer generation, who now constitute more than two-thirds of the 50+ population, the #1 programming request is for adventures and outdoor fitness!   Thus, the innovative new FOOT program (Fitness & Outdoor Opportunities Together) was created.  FOOT invites you to “stay connected, stay healthy, stay fit” with awe-inspiring hikes, discovery of hidden gems, and unique adventures that take advantage Tallahassee’s beautiful year-round weather, the multitude of lush and well-maintained public parks, trails and spaces, and wealth of expertise.    [Read more…]

Photo credit: Tallahassee Senior Center

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) stretches for 156 miles along Florida’s east central coast. There are more than 4,400 species of plants and animals—including manatees—that are found in the lagoon watershed. Unfortunately, as the direct result of human derelictions over many decades, the Indian River Lagoon has suffered a series of harmful algal blooms.

While there are many large-scale sources of pollution, it’s impossible to overstate the value of individual actions. What you do at home can make a big impact—whether you live near the Indian River Lagoon or not. Most people in the United States live in a watershed (a land area that drains to a river, lake, ocean, or other waterway)! [Read More …]

Get your very own Camp Coffee Mug! $20 to help support our environmentally friendly dish program

How To: Kayak Around Manatees

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