Day 4: Coastal Watershed Tour
Our water's journey ends at the Gulf of Mexico.
Nature Coast Biological Station
The mission of the Nature Coast Biological Station is to enhance the conservation and sustainability of natural resources throughout the Nature Coast through collaborative research, enhanced public engagement, field based courses, and hands-on training workshops.
Where and When to Meet
October 5, 9:00 am - Nature Coast Biological Station
552 1st St, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Lunch: You may bring a bagged lunch, but there are many locations around Cedar Key to explore for lunch. You can easily find a restaurant close by serving some of Cedar Key's famous clams.
Directions: The UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station is located at the end of State Road 24 in Cedar Key (552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625). To locate the facility, head west on state road 24 and continue straight until you reach the intersection of SR 24 and 1st street. We are the tall green building on the water, we will gather in the outdoor pavilion before starting the tour.
Parking: Parking at our facility is extremely limited because we are in downtown Cedar Key. Please plan to use nearby street parking along D Street, 2nd Street, or 1st street, or in the gravel lot on 3rd street across from the grocery store. Please do not park in the Island Place condo parking lot next door, you will be ticketed.
Shellfish: Bring a cooler with you if you want to go home with some fresh local shellfish. We can provide you with a few scoops of ice.
Boat Tour
Aquaculture Industry
UF/IFAS Shellfish Extension Agent Leslie Sturmer describes the importance of the shellfish aquaculture industry, and factors that influence shellfish growers.
Oyster Aquaculture Lease
During the tour, we will see where clams and oysters are grown, and might event get to see active work going on at the leases.
Living Shoreline Tour
Sustainable shoreline management
During this part of the tour, we will see examples of nature-based solutions to shoreline erosion. Marshes, oysters, and sand dunes form the basis of living shorelines, a type of "green infrastructure".
Florida Shellfish Trail Tour
Shellfish around town
For this portion, we will take a turn around the city to see points of interest related to local shellfisheries. This includes oysters and clams, but also stone crabs, blue crabs, and shrimp. Points of interest are marked by signs that form the Big Bend Shellfish Trail. Cedar Key is only one town along the broader trail, other towns include Yankeetown, Town of Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, and Steinhatchee.
More to explore
Self-guided regional Big Bend Shellfish Trail tours found at https://pocketsights.com/tours/location/United-States/Florida
Bring a cooler with you and go home with some local shellfish from vendors such as Southern Cross Seafarms or Robinson's Seafood
In March 2022, an educational exhibit called "The Art and Science of Horseshoe Crabs" that will be open at the Cedar Key Arts Center https://www.cedarkeyartscenter.org/index.php
Contact or visit the Cedar Key Welcome Center for more ideas https://cedarkey.org/