National Park(ing) Day is an opportunity to celebrate parks in cities and promote the need for more parks by creating temporary public parks in public parking spaces. Metered public parking spots will become temporary public parks. Volunteers needed to help in downtown Orlando and Sanford. Sierra Club wil turn a parking spot into a mini park and pass out native plants and information on parks. By turning parking spaces into instant parks, National Park(ing) Day is a creative way to demonstrate the need to create more parks in our cities and distribute park guides to residents. Sierra Club will encourage residents to take a hike! If you can volunteer to help for a two hour shift, we’d love to have your help! Mary-Slater Linn 407-481-4398 (Central)

Fall Equinox Sunrise Meditation and Nature Walk. Join this Sierra Outing for a Sunday morning equinox sunrise on the beach at 7:15 a.m  Half of this outing will be individual reflection time on the beach, access 9.  Sit, meditate, swim, walk, dance, journal the sun up for fall equinox with the days and nights are equal in length. Learn about the Hanna Park environment. Bring a snack & beverage to break the fast before we explore the Nature Trail at 8:30. The trail is easy walking but is not paved. Outing ends at 10 a.m. but you can spend the day in the 'church' of Hanna Park.  Leader: Karen Kempf.  RSVP’s are necessary for early bird entry coupons.  Please register and send $1 per person entry fee to Karen at 1501 Challenger Ct W, Atlantic Beach, FL. 32233 by Sept 18.  (Northeast)

Urban canoe/kayak at John Prince Park in Lake Worth.  The construction work to restore the wetlands is finished.  There is now access to the backwaters of the park by canoes and kayaks without having to portage and without having to do battle with power boats and jet skis.  We will explore this area for a couple of hours.  You will need your own canoe or kayak.  Leisure.  Limit 20.  FREE.  Ron Haines, 561-964-1995, (Loxahatchee)

Chassahowitzka paddle and public lands day service outing. Join us for a weekend of camaraderie and paddling on the spring fed Chassahowitzka River and its creeks. Public Lands Day is a Sierra Club volunteer endeavor that highlights how much Americans care about the perpetuity and well being of their wild places and open spaces. You can join us for Saturday or Sunday, or both. Overnight accommodations include options for sharing a cottage, camping, or the hotel in town. Those staying for both days can join in a pot luck on Saturday night. On the river we will discover the wildlife and other natural beauty this river have to offer, while doing a little litter pickup to support Public Lands Day. There should be plenty of bird life, blue crabs, the possibility of otters, manatee, and even the possibility of a dolphin coming up river. Canoe and kayak rentals available, or bring your own canoe or kayak. We will explore the river, its springs and side creeks that feed them. The paddling will be on tree-lined spring fed waters with a mix of sun and shade. Leader: Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821. (Suncoast)

Alternative Fuels Day at Seminole Community College from 10:00-1:00. The automotive teaching dept. at SCC is hosting alternative fuels day. Come take a look at what the future holds. Last year Ford Motor company The program will promote new technology and teach students and the public about the benefit of alternative fuels. 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, Florida 32773-6199 Mary-Slater Linn 407-481-4398 free (Central)

Locavore outing. Meet your local organic farmers in their “native habitat” and learn about organic farming and ranching. We will travel to Ashlin Farms, a local ranch of grass-fed cows and Down to Earth Farms, an organic vegetable farm. Farmer Brian of Down to Earth Farms has given us the additional option of working for “a spell”. If you are interested in this part of the outing, wear your best farmer jeans and bring gloves and a lunch. Leader. Janet Larson. Contact Janet at (904) 247-1876 for further info (Northeast)

Sunset sea kayak trip to Caladesi Island State Park. Moderate 2 hour paddle to observe the sunset. Bring snacks and drinks. Learn about the history, birds and other wildlife on the Island. Afterwards optional dinner at a local restaurant. Leader: Rudy Scheffer, 727-726-8375 (Suncoast)

Sunset Paddle in Dinkins Bayou ( Sanibel Island).  Moderate paddle in a protected area lined with mangroves.  You will need your own kayak or canoe.  Limited to 6 vehicles (12 persons max).  Optional dinner afterwards at Lazy Flamingo’s Restaurant.  Contact outing leader Brigita at 239-472-8973 to sign up (Calusa).

7th Annual John Muir Family Walk:  9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Yulee, We will meet at the John Muir Ecological Park in to celebrate the arrival of John Muir in Florida in October 15, 1867.  We will learn details of John Muir’s arrival, tour the Park and attend the dedication of land being donated by the Rayonier Corporation to the Yulee Historic Council.  We will drive a few minutes for an easy 2-3 mile walk and picnic lunch at a private Rayonier forest, guided by one of Rayonier’s expert naturalists.  Bring bag lunch,beverage, hat & camera. Children welcome.  This is a joint event of the North East Florida, and Nassau, Groups of the Sierra Club , and the Yulee Historic Council, Inc. No fee. RESERVATIONS  REQUIRED:  Contact Todd Sack  904-403-6446
(Northeast)

Explore Florida’s first designated wild and scenic river and enjoy a picnic lunch in the newly opened Riverbend Park west of Jupiter.  This is a very easy paddle suitable for beginners.  Unlike prior years, we will be paddling a gentle loop canoe trail in the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River.  For more information about Riverbend Park, visit http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/locations/riverbend.htm .  Bring your own canoe or kayak or rent from Canoe Outfitters of Florida within the park.  Their website is http://www.canoeskayaksflorida.com/index.php.  Everyone will bring their own picnic lunch.  Leisure.  Limit 20.  FREE.  Ron Haines, 561-964-1995 (Loxhatchee)

Cultural & History Tour of Guana. Go on a 3-hour tour with Guana Volunteer Tom Barry and learn about the history and culture from the time of aboriginal and Timicuan Indians to the Spanish and British periods. Learn about the archaelogical dating of pottery samples and get an introduction into Timicuan culture. Learn about the British plantations of Grants Villa and Mount Pleasant and the Minorcan period of Guana. There is a $3 entrance fee to Guana. Please bring water, lunch, sun tan lotion and bug repellent. No reservations needed. Children are welcome. Cultural and historical guide Tom Barry. Sierra Leader. Brian Paradise. (Northeast)

Kayaking and camping on the Chassahowitzka River. Bring you tent and kayak and meet us over on the west coast of Florida on the Chassahowitzka River. A first magnitude spring and smaller 2nd magnitude springs in the area create the river which flows 7 miles west to the Gulf of Mexico. The river is home to hundreds of species of birds and is a refuge for the manatee. In 1941, approximately 31,000 acres of its saltwater creeks, freshwater tributaries and hardwood hammocks were recognized as a National Wildlife Refuge. We will paddle from a nearby public boat ramp that is located at the campground that also bears its Indian name which means "land of hanging pumpkins;" a reference to a wild variety that once grew along the banks. The public campground located walking distance from the river. We’ll camp Saturday and on Sunday paddle a total of 7 miles round trip Cost: $15.00 per camp site and $2.00 launch fee. Mary-Slater Linn 407-481- 4398 (Central)

Bicycle Bash by the Bay bicycle ride. Come down to the festival at the Vinoy in St. Pete and join us in a ride celebrating bicycling as a source of exercise and transportation. You can join us at the Sierra Club booth if you want to volunteer a bit. Participants of the festival can learn bicycling tips, and riders will learn that urban bicycling is fun. Leader Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821. (Suncoast)

Women's Weeki Wachee Kayak Trip. (Friday) Join our annual Halloween paddle down this beautiful crystal clear river where fish, playful otters and ghostly manatees will keep us company. We will explore some of the problems caused by the rapid development of this area. Cost about $35 to rent kayaks. Please reserve a spot at least a week in advance. Sue Brandon, 813-622-1800. (Suncoast)

Babcock Ranch Hike ( Charlotte County).  Moderate hike on a new 4-mile loop  trail that winds through pine-and-palmetto flatwoods, cypress strands and oak hammocks.  Limited to 15 people.  Reserve with Brigita at 239-337-1857. (Calusa).

Backpack to Bee Island in Myakka River State Park. Discover and explore a Florida grassland prairie park and learn how it is being restored. We camp under large old oaks and hike through varied habitat. The hike includes an 11 mile loop trail in two days. Leader: Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821, bfberauer@aol.com. (Suncoast)

Day Canoeing/kayaking on Fisheating Creek, http://myfwc.com/RECREATION/fisheating_creek/default.asp, west of Lake Okeechobee.  Fisheating Creek is the only remaining pristine stream feeding Lake Okeechobee.  Canoe and kayak rentals extra or bring your own.  FREE.  Leisure.  Limit 20.  Charles Hunt, 561-967-4770. (Loxahatchee)

Overnight Canoe trip on the Oklawaha River. Primitive camping, easy paddling, canoe and camping gear available for rent by outfitter, limit 10 participants. Leader Rudy Scheffer, 727-726-8375.

Leisurely Urban Bicycling in the Lake Worth Area.  Explore local parks, open spaces, and neighborhoods with fellow Sierrans.  Leisure.  Limit 20.  FREE.  Ron Haines, 561-964-1995. (Loxahatchee)

Spoil Island Cleanup. (Sunday) 9-11am: Show your thanks to nature by cleaning up two spoil islands we have adopted in an effort to make them a better place for birds and other wildlife. Participants must bring own kayak or canoe. no cost. Sue Brandon, 813-622-1800. (Suncoast)