 | | Did you know the Ormond's Scenic Loop and Trail was designated a Florida Scenic Highway by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in 2007 and a National Scenic Byway in 2009 by the Federal Highway Administration? Our Byway highlights some of the most beautiful natural and recreational resources along the east coast of Florida - and it provides real economic worth as well. From eco-tourism, to fishing, boating, beaching and Bike Week, the Loop's importance to our community cannot be understated. Now, with more residential development, cars, service trucks and people impacting the roadway, we need the support of individuals, businesses and local government to help us protect this precious resource. Won't you join us by volunteering today? We could use your help with community outreach, administrative duties, grant writing, litter pick-up and gardening in Tomoka State Park as we plan and promote new enhancements along the Loop. Click this link to let us know how you'd like to be involved: EMAIL US |  |
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Exciting and informative programs are still being sponsored as part of the ReGrow the Loop initiative. The next month offers some wonderful opportunities to get out and explore all that the natural areas of the Loop have to offer! |  |
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| | |  | Many Hands Make Light Work |
| A partnership between several community groups has been established to create a Native Plant Garden in Tomoka State Park. In celebration of Florida Arbor Day on January 19th, members of the Native Plant Society Paw Paw Chapter, the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks, the Tillandsia Garden Club and the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail planted two, native red mulberry trees. The goal of the partnership is to create a beautiful garden that demonstrates how attractive a native Florida garden can be. Located next to the Tomoka Outpost in the Park, the first actual planting day for the Garden will be February, 24, 2024 and we welcome all "hands" to help! Volunteer Gardening Opportunity You are cordially invited to join us on this new endeavor! We are offering local gardeners an opportunity to participate as volunteers in planting and maintaining the garden, as well as regular watering of the newly planted trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Those who are looking for a location in which to flex their green thumb, look no further! If you would like to volunteer at the Park and assist with our garden, please write us at ormondscenicloop@gmail.com to be added to our contact list. |  | | THE ORMOND YACHT CLUB Located just north of the Granada Bridge on North Beach Street, the Ormond Yacht Club was built in 1910 by several of Ormond's founding fathers including John Anderson and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Click here to learn more. | | A New Nature Trail along the Loop |
| | We are excited to be offering a first for the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail: a spring hike along the newly-established Volusia County Nature Trail on Old Dixie Highway, north of Pine Tree Road. The 36-acre property was purchased by the County in 2021 after lengthy negotiations with the developer of Plantation Oaks. Nature photographer and naturalist, Paul Rebmann, has conducted many of our past walks and is eager to help us discover the native plants, animals and perhaps secrets that can be found along its path. Scheduled for May 11th, look for registration and more information about this inaugural walk in future newsletters or on our website. | | Seawall Construction Update from FDOT |
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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is poised to construct buried seawalls in two locations in northern Volusia County to help provide long-term protection for State Road (S.R.) A1A. The first location is from south of Sunrise Avenue to Marlin Drive in Ormond By The Sea. The second location begins one-half mile north of High Bridge Road to the Flagler County line. From the county line, the wall continues north and will end at South Central Avenue in Flagler County. Work is already underway in Flagler County and FDOT estimates it will begin the Volusia County portions ithis summer. Right now, they are awaiting permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Wildlife Commission for temporary relocation of gopher tortoises. This is because some traffic will be diverted onto the west shoulder of A1A while the walls are being installed. As a frequent bike rider along this area of North Peninsula State Park noted, "I regularly see numerous gopher tortoises munching on vegetation while riding along the sidewalk on A1A...I'm glad this is on FDOT''s radar." The project was recommended in the S.R. A1A Resiliency Plan, which was a joint effort by representatives from the FDOT, Flagler County, the City of Flagler Beach and Volusia County to explore options to repair and strengthen S.R. A1A in Flagler and Volusia counties. For more information about the Volusia section of seawalls, visit: https://www.cflroads.com/project/452443-1 |
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The Highly Invasive Brazilian Pepper |
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We've said it before and we'll say it again: Brazilian pepper is out of control in Florida and all along the Loop. Right now you can discern the plant growing next to marshes and the roadway by its copious amount of red berries. If you have a pepper tree/bush in your yard or nearby, please, at the very least, cut off all the branches with berries on them so that the birds won't spread the berries. Do not handle the tree with your bare hands; wear nitrile or disposable gloves and it's recommend that any berries or branches collected be bagged and placed with your household garbage, not your yard waste. Please see the information (link below) from the University of Florida for further information about cutting and disposing of the branches/seeds. | |
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| Our February Meeting We invite you to attend either in person or remotely! |
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Wednesday, February 28th; 5:30 pm
Ormond Beach Public Library, Sandpiper Room
30 South Beach Street
Ormond Beach FL 32174 Doors open at 5 pm and the meetings starts at 5:30. |
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To Attend Remotely: For those attending remotely, please sign on 15 minutes early. We have had some audio difficulty getting everyone online so our Team will be working out any technical difficulty before the 5:30 meeting starts. |
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The Mission of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail Byway organization is to protect and enhance the Loop by serving as a focused source of education, community outreach and enhancements projects consistent with our volunteer resources and guidelines of the Florida Scenic Highway and National Scenic Byway programs. |
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Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail Corridor Management Entity, Inc. |
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