Orange Hammock Summer Butterfly Count

Explore, discover, and identify butterflies at Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area. Join us at the Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area as we look for and identify butterflies. This program is part of a biannual effort to monitor butterfly populations at the Orange Hammock WMA. Long-term monitoring can help land managers make decisions that benefit all species in their care. Butterflies are sensitive to environmental changes and can serve as good indicators of an ecosystem’s overall health. The Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area is a unique 5,777-acre property that contains more than 200 wetlands, intermixed with pine flatwoods, dry prairie, and other native habitats, providing a home for bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, and sandhill cranes. Immense volumes of rainfall collect on the property and feed the Snover Waterway and RV Griffin reservoirs, both of which are critical sources of the City of North Port’s clean drinking water. This program is recommended for teens and adults. Participants under 16 must attend with a parent or guardian. Participants should be familiar with the common butterfly species found in Florida. We will be hiking up to 2 miles on flooded trails, with water in some areas up to mid-thigh, through tall grass and brush, and the weather will likely be very hot and humid. Insects and thorny plants are abundant. Please be prepared for these conditions! Participants should bring plenty of water, snacks, and wear comfortable clothing (lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and tall socks are best). We recommend sun protection, bug spray, and closed-toe shoes that can be submerged. Please note there are no restrooms or water fountains available on site. We will have a temporary toilet station, but we recommend using the restroom before you arrive. To access Orange Hammock WMA, participants must drive down a 3.5-mile dirt road that may have potholes. Vehicles with a lower-than-typical clearance are not recommended. Driving and ac