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Malabar Scrub Sanctuary
High lighting the interdependence of wetland and upland habitats, this trail system leads you across boardwalks through bayheads, diminutive oak scrub, and around vast wetlands and prairies with white sand beaches. Watch for gopher tortoises along the Gopher Trail, and listen for rufous-sided towhees and Florida scrub-jays in the oak scrub along the Acorn Trail. Hiking is a little rough where the sand is soft.
Directions: From I-95 exit 173, go east on CR 514 (Malabar Rd) for 2.4 miles; watch for a fire station on the left. Turn left immediately after the fire station and follow the unmarked road up to the preserve entrance. Turn left and park by the restrooms at the county park. Free.
321-255-4466
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St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
The trails here are primarily for equestrians, so footing can be a bit uneven. Learn about scrub habitat on the interpretive trails at the visitor center. Further into the preserve, white blazes lead you into forests of longleaf pine and wiregrass savanna; the red-blazed loop circles a colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers, where trees with nests are ringed with white paint. The sandhill area supports about 25 breeding pairs of Florida scrub-jays as well as gopher tortoises and indigo snakes. Forty miles of trails offer plenty of opportunity for visitors to enjoy the diversity of this large wild property.
Directions: From I-95 exit 173 (Palm Bay), go east on Malabar Rd 0.25 miles to Babcock St. (CR 507) and turn right. Go south for about 11 miles. Turn left on Buffer Preserve Rd just before crossing the C-54 Canal. A visitor center is on site. Free.
321-953-5004
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