Most park explorations include short hikes on marked trails. Plan ahead to make the most of your time in nature.

• Up to 1 mile of hiking (strollers not recommended).
• We could potentially get up to 30 minutes away from restrooms during the hike.
• Bring a reusable water bottle.
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothes that can get dirty.
• You might want some bug spray!

In October 2020, we took students and adults on a tour of Paynes Prairie State Preserve. Explore the park and pollinators with these three videos as a starting point for your own adventure!

Introduction to Paynes Prairie State Preserve

Learn About Pollinators

Make Your Own Pooter

In November 2020, we took students and adults on a tour of Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park with Gabriel Somarriba, graduate student at the Museum’s Ichthyology Collection. Explore the park and fishes with these videos and a fish ID guide as a starting point for your own adventure!

Fishes in Florida Springs

Download our easy photo guide to some of the most common fishes you’ll discover in Florida’s springs:

• Fish Often Found in Springs (PDF)

Browse the whole gallery of Florida’s freshwater fishes:

• Fishes in the Fresh Waters of Florida Gallery

Introduction to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Learn About Fishes at Springs

In February 2021, we took students and adults on a tour of Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park with Carmi Thompson, a collection manager here at the Museum’s Invertebrate Paleontology Collection. Explore the park and Florida’s geology with these videos as a starting point for your own adventure!

Introduction to Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

Meet a Paleontologist and Learn about Geology!

In March 2021, we took students and adults on a tour of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park with Ian Ausprey, a Ph.D. student in the Florida Museum’s Ordway Lab of Ecosystem Conservation. Explore the park and Florida’s many species of birds with these videos as a starting point for your own adventure!

Learn About Birds at the Prairie!

Learn How Scientists Use Bird Collections!

The Birds of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Learn how to make a gliding contraption with strange looking wings!

Instructions and Resources to make your own Hoop Glider

In March 2021, we took students and adults on a tour of San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park with Emilie-Kate Tavernier, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Florida’s Department of Biology and Lauren Whitehurst, Ph.D. student in the Soltis Lab. Explore the park and the many species of plants and micro-habitats found in San Felasco with these videos as a starting point for your own adventure!

Here are multiple ways to search for information about the 50 most common native wildflowers and butterflies in Florida, some you may see in San Felasco!

Plant Scientist at San Felasco

Plant safety tips

The Plants of San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park