Perfect Weather, Perfect Timing: Land Trust Guided Tours Are Back

You may recall we've written about a few of the Indian River Land Trust's trails — from the three-mile Mangrove trail at Oyster Bar Marsh to the lagoon views at Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail, named after the Land Trust's founder.

With cooler weather upon us, there's no better time to get outside, make good on your New Year's resolution, and experience these familiar spots and more -- but this time with expert naturalist guides.

The Land Trust's free conservation tours add a new dimension to these walks. Trained Audubon naturalists lead small groups through the preserved lands, pointing out details you'd miss on your own.

For bird watchers, the timing lines up perfectly with the Atlantic Flyway — the migration route for millions of birds traveling from Canada to South America. During peak season, these lands host everything from bald eagles to various warblers.

But the value extends far beyond birding. The guides explain how each property serves the organization's core mission of protecting the land that protects the Indian River Lagoon. That mangrove forest isn't just cover for local wildlife -- it filters pollutants before they reach the lagoon. Those native plants aren't just pretty -- they support the watershed that sustains over 4,000 species in what is designated an "estuary of national significance."

The guides know when to stop for wildlife sightings, and point out restored salt marshes, invasive species removal efforts, and ongoing research partnerships with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute that make these properties living laboratories for lagoon restoration.

Conservation tours are offered from January through May at Oyster Bar Marsh, Toni Robinson Waterfront Park, Bee Gum Point and the 205-acre Lagoon Greenway.

The first tour of 2026 is scheduled for January 8 at 9:30 PM at Oyster Bar Marsh. You can find additional dates in the "Week Ahead" section of our website or by visiting the IRLT's website here.