5 places for an eco-adventure in Martin County, Florida

Two hours from Miami, in south-eastern Florida, is the eco-haven of Martin County. Its rugged, wild corners encompass 35km of beach and over 100,000 acres of park and conservation land, all passionately protected to preserve their pristine beauty through the Explore Natural Martin ecotourism programme, developed in partnership with Leave No Trace. From manatees to falcons, you’ll find over 4,300 different species – come and explore…

Sunset in Kiplinger Nature Preserve (Discover Martin County)

Set by the St. Lucie River, near where it flows into the Atlantic, Kiplinger’s 164 acres sprawl over lush wetlands, mangroves and freshwater swamps, but you’ll also find sand pine scrub and scrubby flatwoods. As a result, a tantalising mix of wildlife calls this alluring environment home, from the great blue heron and snowy egret to woodpeckers, hawks and waders. In late spring, sandhill cranes nest in the wet prairie, while racoons scamper among the grass and alligators lurk below the water’s surface. If you’re lucky, you might spot a West Indian manatee or two, chomping their way through the seagrass. A one-mile walking and biking trail meanders through the preserve, while you can also explore the waterways by canoe or kayak, listening out for songbirds as you stroll, cycle or scull. Above all, take the time to simply soak up the serene surroundings, as you cross wooden boardwalks or pass through thick vegetation.

They say ‘take only photos, leave only footprints’, and Kiplinger Preserve’s ‘Leave no Trace’ Nature Walk is intended to introduce walkers to the region’s eponymous sustainable programme, which abides by seven principles guiding visitors on how to best make the most of this beautiful, protected environment. As you explore the different ecosystems of the preserve, including pine flatwoods and a mangrove forest, you’ll learn about them all, including respecting wildlife, and being prepared for your surroundings before you go.

The Kitching Creek Preserve is a fine place for birdwatching (Discover Martin County)

This tranquil nature preserve, close to Jonathan Dickinson State Park, is the result of a project which was started in 2009 to re-establish the original flow of water from the Atlantic Ocean into the nearby Loxahatchee River, and returning this little patch of Florida to how it used to be – wonderful and wild. Today, it spans 51 acres, including wetlands and a vast, shimmering lake and is popular with hikers, horse-riders, cyclists and fishermen alike. But it’s perhaps birdwatchers who will really enjoy the preserve’s peaceful landscapes the most; several rare and endangered species have been spotted here, including bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, tri-coloured herons and ospreys. Raptors, herons and egrets are also common, while four-legged inhabitants include otters and alligators. You can explore the lake by kayak or canoe, or take the walking trail which circumvents it – and remember to keep your eyes peeled at all times…

Whether you’re a beginner, or a seasoned birdwatcher, you won’t want to forget your camera, or your binoculars, on the Guided Birding tour at Kitching Creek. Here, you’ll learn more about the feathered residents of the preserve; led by an experienced and knowledgeable local bird biologist from the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Office, you’ll discover more about a variety of native birds, their behaviours, and habitat, as well as tips on how to best identify them.

Sunset at Indian Riverside Park (Discover Martin County)

Sitting, as the name suggests, alongside the Indian River lagoon, this is the perfect place to bring the whole family. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to activities, with half a mile of waterfront to explore, as well as a three-quarter-mile walking path and mangrove boardwalk, and 238m fishing pier, a stretch of beach, picnic pavilions, landscaped gardens and open grass fields. Bound to be popular with little ones is the interactive play fountain, with its splashy waterjets, while another fountain is topped with a sculpture of a couple of leaping dolphins. The walking path will lead you around a lake and down towards the river, with ample opportunity to spot water birds, such as white ibis and Egyptian geese, along the way. Peer into the depths and you might also glimpse turtles, or fish such as snook or flounder. On rainy days, steer the kids into The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast.

Cast your eyes to the heavens during a starry event hosted by the Treasure Coast Astronomical Society. Held only once a month, the Moon Observation Night will help you learn more about one of our most significant celestial bodies. You’ll also have the opportunity to view the moon closer than ever before, thanks to the Society’s high-powered telescopes; this is definitely an event not to miss.

A trail through Halpatiokee Regional Park (Shutterstock)

Hike, bike, paddle and even camp to your heart’s content at the county’s biggest park. Halpatiokee – the name is taken from the Seminole Indian word meaning ‘alligator water’ – spreads over 65 acres of parkland, surrounded by around 500 acres of wetland preserve. From pine flatwoods and scrubland to riverland – around 6.5km of river frontage on the western side of the South Fork of the St Lucie River – this mixed terrain provides habitats for sustainable populations of hundreds of species, including some which have been designated as endangered or threatened. Those protected waters are home to fish such as longnose gar, shiners and sunfish, as well as cooters (a type of river turtle) and, of course, the alligators the park was named for. Adorable West Indian manatees are a regular presence here too, as are playful river otters.

Whether or not you time this experience for National Love a Tree Day (held every year on 16 May), Halpatiokee’s Tree Lovers’ Walk is a great opportunity to immerse yourself into the park’s natural beauty. Led by expert guides, you’ll explore several different ecosystems, learning about the variety of trees and other unique plant species that exist within them. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature, and to take in some of Florida’s spectacular scenery.

Kayaking is a fine way to explore Peck Lake Park (Discover Martin County)

Perched by a lake which flows into the Indian River, and close to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, Peck Lake Park abounds with wildlife both above and below water. Diving and snorkelling off this area are particularly popular, thanks to a reef which runs for around 14km off the Treasure Coast. Explore underwater caverns and crevices, home to sea turtles, lobster, and hundreds of species of reef fish, and admire the stony corals and different types of sponge. There’s a short but easy walking trail along a boardwalk, which offers great views of the intercoastal waterways, allowing the possibility of spotting alligators in the marshes and manatees in the nearby Indian River Lagoon, as well as mangrove crabs scuttling along tangled tree branches. Pack a picnic, settle down at one of the many pavilions for the purpose, and just enjoy the lush landscapes.

Florida is synonymous with mangroves, which form an ecosystem along the coasts of the state’s peninsula and into the Keys. They are treated with great respect, as they provide protected areas for fish, shellfish and crustaceans, as well as food for other marine species. On a Magnificent Mangroves walk, you’ll learn what makes these trees and forests so special, and important to the area, as well as viewing a variety of wildlife and experiencing the beauty of the Indian River Lagoon estuary.

Ready to see Florida’s wild side in Martin County? Find more inspiration at Discover Martin County’s official website.

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