Coral beans and paw paws were blooming up in the scrub areas as thirty members of Indian River chapter hiked at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary for Earth Day. Located in Titusville, the Enchanted Forest features miles of hiking through marvelous habitat changes. Shady forest areas beckon with a boardwalk through huge old oaks. Tropical plants like native coffee grow along the trail. Vireos, warblers and catbirds call from up in the canopy. Over in the scrub, the cactus blooms and a woodpecker hammers at a dead pine for grubs. The Enchanted Forest was the first purchase of Brevard county's EEL program, and now has an environmental center, butterfly garden and shady picnic area. It is open Tuesday through Saturday 9-5, and is free.
The Indian River chapter has a large Wednesday hiking group, active from November through April. Led by Jim and Nancy Escoffier, the group enjoys day hikes in Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, and Orange counties. Some of the favorite ambles include Bulow, the Econ, Blue Spring and Orlando Wetlands. "There were 38 on the Tosohatchee hike," says Jim happily. The hikers are just as wide-ranging, coming from Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne, Merritt Island, and even Volusia and Flagler counties. Everyone is looking forward to next November, when the air cools and the Wednesday hikes will start again.
Susan Young
FOWA and FTA member
photo by Susan Young
