The UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, in conjunction with St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Department, will be conducted the Bicycle Iguana-thon at Savannas Recreation Area. Participants will ride along the paved trail on the lookout for iguana and other nonnative reptiles as well as native wildlife such as American alligators, birds and mammals.
This noncompetitive biking adventure will be conducted on Saturday June 24, 2023 from 8AM – 9 AM. It will begin at the Ranger Station at the Savannas Recreation Area, 1400 Midway Road, Fort Pierce. *Please note this is not the Savannas off Walton Road.
In addition, participants will have the option to join the 2023 Iguana-thon Bioblitz on iNaturalist. The instructional video linked below will provide information about this bioblitz and event. Join the 2023 Bicycle Iguana-thon on iNaturalist.
The Savannas Recreation Area Wildlife is home to native wildlife such as Gopher Tortoises, alligators, hawks, Sandhill Cranes, eagles, egrets, otters, turtles, and many other species. Unfortunately, nonnative reptiles can be found in many of our community’s natural areas including the Savannas. Extension Agent Ken Gioeli will lead this biking excursion in search of nonnative wildlife such as iguana along with Wendy Clark of St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Department. This program is designed to combine bicycling and wildlife watching.
Preregistration is required. This noncompetitive event is open to campers at Savannas as well as Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, 4H’ers and the general public. Bring your own bike. We will ride the paved trail which is approximately 4-miles round trip. Bring water, snacks, binoculars, hat, sunscreen. A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely and meets the federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. We will have to turn away any riders under 16 who do not meet these state safety requirements. Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, sex, age, disability, religion, or national origin. People seeking accommodation can make requests two weeks prior to start of the event.
What: Bicycle Iguana-thon
Hosts: Ken Gioeli and Wendy Clark
When: June 24, 2023 from 8 AM – 9 AM
Where: Savannas Recreation Area, 1400 Midway Road, Fort Pierce
Registration: Required.
Eventbrite Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bicycle-iguana-thon-tickets-629382157977
Cost: Free
Information: Ken Gioeli ktgioeli@ufl.edu
References
2023 Bicycle Iguana-thon on iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2023-bicycle-iguana-thon
Savannas Recreation Area https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-and-services/parks-recreation-department/savannas-recreation-area
Snakes and Lizards of the FL Treasure Coast Snakes and Lizards of the FL Treasure Coast – Presentation February 9, 2022 – UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County (ufl.edu)
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