Friends of the GTM Reserve 4th Annual 5K/10K Trail Run Announced!

Come join us in enjoying a beautiful outdoors and trail experience at the 4th Annual GTM Reserve 5K and 10K trail run/walk. All proceeds from this event are used to support ongoing research, conservation and stewardship at the GTM Reserve. Your participation, support and enjoyment are appreciated. Come out and enjoy this jewel of a natural resource, one of the best-kept secrets around!

What: GTM Reserve 4th Annual 5K/10K Trail Run benefitting research and conservation at the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas presented by the Friends of the GTM Reserve.

When: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Where: Meet at the trailhead in the GuanaTolomato-Matanzas National
Estuarine Research Reserve just off of State Road A1A in South Ponte Vedra.

Entry Fee:  If registering prior to 4/6/13: $25 5K or 10K ;  If registering after 4/6/13: $30 5K or10K ; Student 5K or 10K: $15 (must present valid ID at the race)

Fee includes a gorgeous cotton t-shirt! 

View the official race flyer for more complete information and registration form, or register online here.

Free Pass Fridays Answer: March 22

Florida became a United States territory in 1821. At this time, it was a largely uninhabited wilderness with two main cities - Pensacola and St. Augustine. Tallahassee was chosen as the new capitol because of its central location. As Southern planters from nearby states began to move to the new territory, these new inhabitants began to rally for statehood. Florida received full statehood on March 3, 1845. For more information on Florida History, check out the Florida Division of Historic Resources website.

Announcing the Friends of the GTM Reserve 2013 Photo Contest !

Photographers of all skill level…   this is your chance to submit your best work! Images selected for this exhibit will be juried from digital entries.

Categories:              

• Birds - anywhere
• Wildlife - in the GTM Reserve
• Scenery - in the GTM Reserve
• B&W - in the GTM Reserve
• Creative – the natural world anywhere; can be manipulated in camera or post processing
• Open – the natural world anywhere
• Youth (17 & under) – the natural world anywhere 

Important Dates:

• Entries must be received by April 2nd 2013 (extended from the original March 27)
• Exhibit to be held April 18 - 21 at the GTM Research Reserve Education center
• Winners will be announced April 19th 2013

Click here for complete official rules and instructions, or go directly to registration using the button below:

This event is co-sponsored by Friends of the GTM Reserve &  Imagine Fine Art Printing.

Click image to enlarge.

Free Pass Fridays Answer: March 15

Coquina is a sedimentary rock formed out of shells and sand over thousands of years of natural processes. It was a popular building material in Florida for many years, used to construct houses and warehouses, canals, tombstones and forts including the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. The GTM Research Reserve is home to a well made from coquina blocks. For more information on coquina and Florida history, check out the Florida Public Archaeology Network's Coquina Queries.

Free Pass Fridays Answer: March 8

During the British Period in Florida, from 1763 until 1783, the British government offered land grants to interested individuals in the new colony to start plantations. While the plantations produced a variety of substance crops (those grown for food) including rice and corn, the most successful cash crop (those grown to with the intention of making money) was indigo. The Guana Peninsula was home to a large indigo plantation owned by the first governor of British Florida, James Grant. For more information, check out UNF's Florida History Online.

Free Pass Fridays Answer: March 1

The earliest ceramics in Florida date back to 4000 years ago and are found right here on the First Coast. One of their distinguishing features is the inclusion of plant fiber in the clay. Fiber tempering, as it's called when you add something to clay, helped prevent warping and cracking but was soon replaced with other methods including sand, grit and sponge spicules. For more information on ceramics in Northeast Florida, check out the Florida Museum of Natural History's Ceramic Technology Lab website.


A piece of orange ceramic found on the Guana Peninsula.