WHEN:    Sunday  February  2,  2025

TIME:       10:00 am  -  12:00  noon 

                           Picayune  Strand  State  Forest

The Picayune State Forest is a beautiful part of southern Florida.  Thousands of visitors yearly visit this lovely area and hike the many trails encompassing the boundries.  

Presently, time and the past hurricanes have cluttered this area of trash deposited by both the winds and by floating on the receding waters.  Not only an eyesore for our eyes, but also detrimentral to the forest fauna and fowl that call this land home.

This CITO will be a part of the cleansing in the Picayune.  It also precedes the coming of Festival In The Park that the State Forest Service holds annually.  Geocaching will also be part of festival days starting with the next event.

We will CITO the southern part before the heat developes on the oasis.  This is the most beautiful and scenic area of the Picayune as it looks just like an African savannah. Help us keep the beauty there.

We will meet at the given coords at 10 am to hike South to the CITO area using the West trail.  I will arrive earlier with donuts and drinks.  Look for the picnic shelter by the parking.

I will bring trash bags where the collection will begin.  We will be able to have trucks down on the paths to collect our trash picked up.  I already have the vehicle pass in hand from the forest service.  

                                                                                             CAUTION !!!!

                                                                                This will NOT be an easy CITO !

This will be no less than a 11 mile hike. 

I will supply a cooler filled with water and Gatorade.  Snacks will be provided also.

Please wear appropiate footwear and long pants.

The rating of this CITO will show the terrain.  High grasses and heat will be confronted along with the dangerous animals that frequent and live there.  Yes, we may encounter bears, panthers, coyotes, bobcats, snakes including the ever invasive Burmese Pythons.  There are many phthons there to eraticate.  I will have my machete just in case.

See ya'll there  

Permission granted by:  Forest Area Supervisor                                   Resource Manager                                                                                                                                                         

                                       Sam Kroll   (239-229-0144)                              Mike Weston   (239-220-2404)

Division Of Forestry HQ:   Admin. Line.    239-690-8000