12/10 Central FL FMNP Field Trip--Hike The Yearling Trail, Ocala

This message is from the central FL Master Naturalist network.
Should you know of other Master Naturalists who may be interested in receiving information about these natural history activities, please refer them to linda@bystrak.com to join our mailing list.

Mon. December 10th, Trout Lake Nature Center's Docent/Naturalist group invites you to join them for a trip back in time on The Yearling Trail in Ocala National Forest.

This upland site with its nutrient poor soil into which water quickly percolates and its low growing scrubby plants provides a home for a surprising number of animal species. Wildlife like Florida black bear, scrub jays and of course white tailed deer call this forest home.

The hike will visit Pat's Island a high spot in the scrub which in the past
was the site of a pioneer homestead. The family which lived here, their son
and his pet deer were the inspiration for Marjorie K. Rawlings story, The
Yearling.

Life was not easy for early settlers living in this harsh world. There are
still traces of the Long's life to be seen from the trail, a cistern to store water, a cattle dip vat, and most evocative, the family cemetery.

Meet at TLNC at 8:30am, or the trailhead for the Yearling Trail at
9:00am. We will picnic at Silver Glen, so bring a bag lunch and $4.00 for the
user's fee. Reservations are required for this activity, call 352- 357-7536 to
reserve and for more information.