Flagler County Land Management is hosting its next guided nature tour on March 11 at MalaCompra Oceanside Park, offering residents a rare close-up look at some of the county’s most ecologically significant and disappearing natural landscapes. The event is part of the county’s ongoing “Walk in the Park” series and is strictly limited to 12 participants.
What to Expect
The two-hour guided hike is described by organizers as “easy” in terms of physical difficulty. It begins at 9 a.m. sharp on March 11 at MalaCompra Oceanside Park, located at 115 MalaCompra Road. Registered participants are asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. on the north side of MalaCompra Road near the beach walkover in order to take part in a safety briefing before the hike begins.
Organizers recommend that participants bring a water bottle, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, apply sunscreen and insect repellent as preferred, and dress in layers appropriate for variable weather — noting conditions could range from cold and rainy to warm and sunny. Binoculars are also encouraged for those who want to get the most out of the birdwatching opportunities along the route.
The Guide and the Landscape
The tour will be led by Ralph Risch, a Natural Resource Specialist and biologist with Flagler County Land Management who has extensive, advanced knowledge of local plant and animal life. Risch described what participants can expect to encounter across the park’s more than 266 acres, which stretch from the Atlantic Ocean shoreline to the edge of State Road A1A.
“The 266-plus acres of the MalaCompra Oceanside Park extends from the shore of the Atlantic Ocean to the edge of A1A and include intact — though overgrown — coastal scrub habitat, a rare and disappearing land cover in Flagler County,” Risch said. “Coastal freshwater marsh habitat, equally rare, is also present here, as is the dune and strand habitat down near the ocean. We’ll see plenty of wintering migrant bird species, maybe gopher tortoises, and perhaps the otters who forage in the marsh and drainage ditches. We’ll identify plants associated with these habitats and discuss the local history of the site.”
How to Register
Because spots are capped at 12 participants, registration is required. Interested residents must create an account through the county’s registration system and sign two waivers — one for liability and one for photo and video release — before their spot is confirmed. Given the limited capacity, early registration is encouraged. The registration link and additional details are available through the Flagler County website at www.flaglercounty.gov.
