Place-based Learning in the Great Outdoors ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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June 2025 ~ Volume 193

Inspiring. Meaningful. Adventure.

 

Place-based Learning in the Great Outdoors

Photo courtesy staugustineexplored.com

In this issue you will find our amended schedule which includes the NEW St Augustine History Paddle!  We are very excited to be paddling in this most fabulous area surrounded by both history and beauty.  

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find much to appreciate on Florida’s Historic Coast. With miles of protected water, and current and tidal flow to help in any direction, we will paddle to historic sites including downtown Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions, Fort Mose, Fort Matanzas National Monument and the St Augustine Lighthouse. Our home base for this historic adventure will be at Anastasia State park where you can explore Anastasia’s four miles of pristine beach. This idyllic location renowned for gorgeous white sand is also rich in both sea and wildlife. 

We hope you enjoy this month's highlighted successes which include Protecting the Guana River Wildlife Management Area, Conservation Florida Expands Florida’s Largest State Park, and what to do if you find injured or orphan wildlife.

We look forward to seeing you on the water soon. 

 

2025-2026 Paddle Florida Season

CHANGE SCHEDULE

Santa Fe Springs Celebration - 3 nights of optional cabins! - Our 94th multi-day trip!

November 3-8, 2025

Come celebrate one of Florida's prettiest rivers, called "Holy Faith" by the Spanish, which lives up to its name with its quiet beauty. The Santa Fe boasts dozens of significant springs, including the celebrated paddleable Santa Fe tributary the Ichetucknee River.

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Florida Keys Challenge - Base Camp Cabins - Our 95th multi-day trip!

January 12-18, 2026

Join us for a cold weather escape as we paddle the Florida Keys and explore some of the most beautiful turquoise waters in the State of Florida! This year’s trip includes both short and long paddling options, from our basecamp each day, and an educational component provided by Seacamp Association, Inc. From our homebase cabins at Seacamp Association, we will enjoy glorious sunrise and sunsets, and paddle out to explore the area each day. This is a spectacular location for us to call home during our visit to the Keys! Nature beckons you as you cross paths with Key deer, sea turtles, dolphins, and egrets. You will make memories grounded in nature, with an eco-friendly Florida charm in an area that is known as a paddling destination.

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Rivers Exploration - Blackwater River & Coldwater Creek - 1 night of optional cabins! - Our 96th multi-day trip!

February 16-22, 2026

The Blackwater River in Florida, particularly within Blackwater River State Park, is known for its unique contrast of dark, tannic water with pristine, white sandy beaches and large sandbars, making it a popular spot for swimming, paddling, and hiking. Coldwater Creek, a major tributary of the Blackwater River, also features sandy bottoms and broad sandbars, offering a similar experience for paddlers. Join us as we explore these riverways and Blackwater River State Forest close to Pensacola!

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Suwannee River Paddling Festival - Our 97th Multi-day trip!

March 9-11, 2026

With camping atop the bluff overlooking two beautiful rivers, our season-capping festival takes place at Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak. The weekend will offer supported 12 mile paddling options on both the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, a concert featuring Paddle Florida's favorite musicians, and educational presentations from regional waterway experts.

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Suwannee River Wilderness Trail - Our 98th Multi-day trip!

March 9-14, 2026

Celebrate Florida's version of autumn on its most famous river. The trip spans 65 miles of the scenic Suwannee and a portion of the (northern) Withlacoochee, from Madison Blue Spring to Branford. This section features dozens of clear blue springs perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

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NEW - St. Augustine History Paddle - Our 99th multi-day trip!

April 20-26, 2026

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find much to appreciate on Florida’s Historic Coast. With miles of protected water, and current and tidal flow to help in any direction, we will paddle to historic sites including downtown Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions, Fort Mose, Fort Matanzas National Monument and the St Augustine Lighthouse. Our home base for this historic adventure will be at Anastasia State park, where you can explore Anastasia’s four miles of pristine beach in this idyllic location renowned for gorgeous white sand, the park is also rich in both sea and wildlife.

 REGISTER FOR TRIPS HERE 
 

News Articles of Interest

Protecting the Guana River Wildlife Management Area

Image courtesy myfwc.com

Once again Floridians have prevailed over developers wanting to commercialize state conservation lands!

The developer has withdrawn the application for the Guana River Wildlife Management Area land swap.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and got involved and made a ruckus.

The UpLand LLC was proposing to swap four parcels of land with lesser conservation value in exchange for 600 acres of the Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

Had it gone through, this land swap would have set a terrible precedent for protecting Florida’s conservation lands.

Once advocates were alerted, tens of thousands of emails were sent, and advocates showed up to protest this past weekend. The UpLand LLC withdrew the proposal and the item has been struck from Wednesday’s Acquisition and Restoration Council meeting in Tallahassee.

Support Florida Springs Council’s work to protect the best of Florida

Thanks for taking action once again to protect our public lands,

Chloe Dougherty, Communications Director, Florida Springs Council

 

Read about Conservation Florida Expands Florida’s Largest State Park to Protect Home of Plants and Wildlife Found Nowhere Else in the US

Image: conservationfla.org

Conservation Florida, a leading land conservation nonprofit in Florida, in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), secured the permanent protection of 17 key land parcels to expand Florida’s biggest state park, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. These newly added acres ensure crucial connectivity within the world’s largest subtropical strand swamp for plants and wildlife found nowhere else in the United States, like the endangered Florida panther and the ghost orchid. 

The Florida panther, one of the world’s most endangered mammals, relies on vast, connected landscapes for survival. With only an estimated 120-230 individuals remaining, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), habitat squeeze and fragmentation have contributed to the deaths of 36 panthers in the past year, 29 from vehicle strikes alone.

These 60.27 newly protected acres enhance habitat connectivity within the preserve — which stretches roughly twenty miles long and five miles wide. It provides room to roam, free from dangerous highways and subdivisions.  [Read More …]

 

How To: Rescue Injured or Orphaned Wildlife

Click here for the article.

 

Support Paddle Florida

Paddler Raffle To Help Protect Florida's Waterways

PRIZE PACKAGE: $3,300 VALUE

Tickets available here!

 

Donate. Introducing our NEW Long Sleeve Dri-fit Shirt, available in women's v-neck, unisex crew or hoodie. Support Paddle Florida by purchasing one of our NEW Paddle Florida Dri-fit shirts for $40 (add $10 to have it shipped to you), or we can bring it to you on your next trip! Donate online here or mail a check to Paddle Florida, PO Box 840205, St Augustine FL 32080. In appreciation of your donation, you will receive a special gift!

 

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Paddle Florida, Inc., PO Box 840205, St Augustine FL 32080, USA

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