Clean Waterway Society: Gourd Island Conservation Area Hike

It began with a plan...

This project began May 1st, 2011 when Eric Bersinger and Josh Woods paddled The Bartram Canoe Trail on Durbin Creek. What we found that day was the launch area full of illegally dumped trash and a creek that had been ignored for years. Fallen trees and log jams made this beautiful creek impossible to paddle. On this day we made our pledge, on this day "The Durbin Creek Wilderness Society" was born...
..and on this day we went to work....

..We are the Waterway Stewards of Durbin Creek and The Historic Bartram Canoe Trail...
..volunteer citizens making a difference by keeping the creek open for everyone to enjoy...

We are the recipients of the prestigious "2012 Green Paddle Award for Waterway Conservation" Presented by The American Canoe Association for outstanding contribution to paddlesport by protecting America's Waterways.

We are the recipients of the 2013 "In The Trenches Award" presented by The Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute of Florida. Our award was given during the 22nd annual Mayors Environmental Awards luncheon with this years theme, Advancing Environmental Stewardship.

..for contact information about this, donation based, conservation, restoration and clean-up non-profit organization, The Clean Waterway Society, Inc email: bartramcanoetrail@yahoo.com

..Donations can be mailed to The Clean Waterway Society 1212 Ribbon Road, St. Johns Florida 32259
..with our Sincere Thanks!....

..while viewing our blog..note there are several pages of "older posts" to check out.....

...Click on each photo for "the gallery view" ...

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Gourd Island Conservation Area Hike

..Josh and I hiked the Gourd Island Conservation Area
to explore the confluence of both Durbin and Sampson creeks..

..This area provides significant water resource

protection for both creek systems...

..The Old Logging Bridge...

..Sampson Creek flowing through one of the culverts..

..One of the beautiful virgin longleaf pine trees,

they can live 500 years...

..Here is the confluence of both creeks. Sampson in the foreground

and Durbin flowing right to left in the rear...

Durbin Creek...

The area is located on a peninsula formed at the confluence of Julington and Durbin Creeks, and has approximatley 9 miles of shoreline along the two creeks. The peninsula is a long sandy ridge that grades into floodplain swamp and marsh along the creeks shores.Natural communities consist of sandhill along the higher areas near the center of the peninsula and flatwoods at the lower elevations. The preserve contains extensive floodplain wetlands, providing water quality and floodplain protection for both creeks and the St. Johns River. Wildlife Viewing: Known wildlife at the preserve include bald eagle, osprey, gopher tortoise, bobcat, turkey, deer, wild hogs and numerous species of wading and songbirds. Manatees seasonally swim in both creeks. Recreational Activities: Hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, fantastic bird watching, nature photography and study or perhaps just to chill...