20 of the Best Ways to Play Outside in Dixie County!

There is no shortage of things to do outside in Dixie County. Located in the Big Bend region of Florida, it is the perfect spot for all types of eco-tourism activities that let you “play outside.” Natural North Florida is frequently called “Forgotten Florida.” I like to think of it as Florida like it used to be, …

Cedar Key, Workout On Waterfront Run/Paddle, Saturday March 16, 2019

Come visit Cedar Key for the day and participate in the 3rd Annual Workout on Waterfront festivities.  Sponsored by the City of Cedar Key, the event aims to inform visitors about Cedar Key’s goal to become one of the cleanest and most-visitor friendly waterfronts in Florida. Events include the BowWoW run/walk with your leashed pooch, …

Big Bend Shellfish Trail–Florida’s Working Waterfront Communities

Shellfish harvest and consumption in Florida is an important facet of the maritime heritage of many coastal towns. Natural North Florida’s Big Bend has several towns that still harbor local shellfish fisheries. These working waterfront communities are places where present day fishers carry on the traditions of past generations. The Big Bend Shellfish Trail Map …

2017 Bay Scalloping On Florida’s Nature Coast–An Abundance of Tasty Bivalves!

It’s July, and Natural North Florida’s 2017 recreational bay scallop harvest is off to a roaring start.  The harvest began on June 16 for the waters from Suwannee (in Dixie County) to the Fenholloway River (in Taylor County) and ends on September 10.  The remainder of Taylor County, all of Levy County, Jefferson and Wakulla …

$100 Reward For Tagged Seatrout–Thanks to UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key

The Conservation Fund awarded the University of Florida a grant for $19,500 to fund a tagging study on spotted sea trout in Cedar Key and Steinhatchee. The project is determining tagging mortality rates and fishing mortality to assist with stock assessment and management.To date about 150 fish have been tagged with $100.00 reward tags and …

Paddle Natural North Florida’s Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is proud to announce the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail was awarded designation as a National Recreation Trail during National Trails Day June 4th, 2005. The Big Bend Paddling Trail was one of 37 trails in 23 states to receive this award. National Recreation Trail designation is an honor …

Boaters and Fishermen–Need Up-To-The-Minute Weather and Wind Data? GIve the GCOOS Site a Try!

The folks at the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System in St. Petersburg have released a valuable tool for recreational boaters.  The GCOOS Map site will give you current weather information as well as buoy data for the entire Gulf of Mexico, including sites along the Nature Coast.  Take a look!