IN THE LOOP

Issue No. 27/August 2025

Coastal Clean Up - September 20th

We are very excited to once again be participating in the Ocean Conservancy's 40th Annual International Coastal Cleanup and we need your help! The International Coastal Cleanup® (ICC) is a global initiative that engages volunteers and organizations to remove trash from the world's beaches and waterways, all on the same day! To learn more visit:: International Coastal Cleanup® - Ocean Conservancy

We urge you to join our Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail (OSLT) team as we clean up around the High Bridge area. Team Captains, Alicia Oktar and Sonya Lehto, are seeking both volunteers and also sponsors who can donate services or funds to support our volunteers. To donate, contact them by clicking HERE

TO VOLUNTEER: Please sign up by visiting our "Highbridge Park" Eventbrite page and clicking on the red, "get tickets" button. There is no charge - the "tickets" are free. Click the button below.

SIGN ME UP TO VOLUNTEER

Join in on the Fun at the Library!

The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail will be one of many local organizations participating in Volusia County's How-To Festival event on September 13th at the Ormond Beach Regional Library. Bring the family and join in on the fun - they'll be arts and crafts, informative presesentations and lots of hands on displays! The OSLT table will be manned by outstanding OSLT Board members Laura Ureta and Jody Gibian-Miles with volunteer Eamon Oktar. For more info click HERE

Horses on the Beach?

Volusia County Councilman and Ormond Beach resident Troy Kent recently asked County staff to investigate the establishment of a pilot program for horseback riding along Ormond and Ormond by the Sea beaches. Staff shared these findings during the Council's August 19th meeting and members voted to have staff come back with a more detailed plan at its next meeting. During the August 19th meeting, a Power Point presentation outlined where and how the proposed horseback riding could take place and where horse trailers could be parked. Click HERE to view

We are concerned that many of the Council members are not familiar with the eroded condition of our beach and dunes. Additionally, Ormond by the Sea has the largest concentration of sea turtle nests in in Voluisa County. If you feel strongly about having, or not having, horseback riding on our local beaches, please contact Council members at the email addresses below. They will be voting on September 5th to take this idea forward with staff - all are urged to attend the in-person meeting to express their views.

Jeff Brower jbrower@volusia.org

Don Dempsey ddempsey@volusia.org

Jake Johansson jjohansson@volusia.org

Troy Kent tkent@volusia.org (Council Member for our area)

Matt Rinehart mreinhart@volusia.org

Danny Robins drobins@volusia.org

David Santiago dsantiago@volusia.org

ReGrow the Loop returns for 2026

ReGrow the Loop will return again in 2026 with its first program slated for January 31, 2026. The repeat performance of this popular initiative will be led by the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail National Scenic Byway (OSLT) with a goal of restoring and enhancing the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail through education on invasive plant species and promotion of native vegetation and sustainable environmental practices. Programs will be held at both the Ormond Beach Regional Library and Environmental Discovery Center (EDC) with educational trail walks also taking place at the various State Parks along the Loop. A complete ReGrow the Loop 2026 calendar will be announced later this year.

OSLT appreciates the support of Volusia County and the City of Ormond Beach. Programs and walks will be held in conjunction with our presenting partners which include the Pawpaw Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Halifax River Audubon, Katie Tripp PhD, Natural Beauty Native Florida landscapes, University of Florida/IFAS, Dream Green Volusia, as well as guest speakers and representatives from Volusia County's Environmental Management Division.

Hurricane Erin Takes a Toll

We were sorry to see this Facebook post from the Turtle Patrol of Volusia County indicating that 23 turtle nests were lost and many more overwashed by the destructive wave action of Hurricane Erin. It's a tough life for our sea turtles, so as stewards of the beach along the Loop, we believe it's imperative that we do all we can to protect the well being of these important sea creatures. The photograph below shows the stakes and tape that surrounded one of their nests completely destroyed.

Our August Meeting - Remote Only

Wednesday, August 27th

5:15 pm

To Attend Remotely:

For those attendlng 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 problems before the 5:30 meeting starts.

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting 234 057 518 381

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Dial in by phone

+1 850-739-5589,,106381209# United States, Tallahassee

Find a local number

Phone conference 106 381 209#

The copper colored sand along North Peninsula State Park

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.