Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks upcoming events

Grow Native: Tomoka State Park Garden Workdays (11/11/2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Help maintain and enhance Tomoka State Park’s native garden! Volunteers will work alongside park staff to care for native plants, remove invasive vegetation, maintain garden beds, and help keep the garden healthy and attractive. This hands-on volunteer opportunity is a great way to learn more about Florida’s native plants, enjoy the outdoors, meet fellow volunteers, and make a meaningful contribution to the park.

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m

Meet at: The Native Garden Display at Tomoka State Park

What to Bring: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Preregistration is not required. Open to participants of all ages, and no experience is necessary. For more information, please contact David Jones at David.L.Jones@FloridaDEP.gov.

Park Entry Fees: Park entry fees are waived for participants attending volunteer events

BYOK - Bring Your Own Kayak Tour, Russell Landing (11/11/2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

- REGISTER HERE! -

Join a park ranger for a fun and informative paddle along beautiful Haw Creek! Explore a serene blackwater creek as it winds through an old Florida cypress swamp toward Crescent Lake. This guided paddle offers a unique opportunity to experience the area’s diverse natural communities, including forests, hammocks, flatwoods, marshes, swamps, and the blackwater stream, while learning about the region’s natural history and wildlife.

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Meet at: Russell Landing in Bunnell (2007 County Road 2007 Bunnell, Florida 32110)

What to Bring: Water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Participants must provide their own kayak and a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) with a whistle.

Preregistration is required. This is a ticketed event with limited availability. Participants must be 12 years of age or older and will be required to sign a liability waiver before participating. For more information, contact Mark Adams at Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov.

Ticketed Event: A minimum donation of $10 at https://www.fotbsp.com/Donate per person is requested. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks and support future programs and events.

Park Entry Fees: Park entry fees not applicable at this location.

Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bring-your-own-kayak-tomoka-basin-state-parks

Information: Mark Adams, 386-517-2084 or email Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov

Monthly Membership Meeting (11/14/2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Local history author Caleb Hathaway is on tap to present at the friends member meeting in November. Caleb is incredibly talented and has helped breathe new life into local history. We are excited to have him! Citing Sun Coast Young Leaders Council…

“…He is a published author of two historical-fiction novels and has helped environmental advocacy groups against overdevelopment. Hathaway wishes to pursue his environmental passion both as a career and as a way of life.”

We’re delighted to Caleb accepted our invitation to speak.

We are also excited to recognize Andrew “Drew” Medearis for his continued contributions as the Digital Curator for keeping our Visitors Guide To Bulow Plantation Ruins website alive and thriving. The website was inspired by past and present leaders and Drew has made many generational improvements to the site.

Because Drew has also been such a critical key in many initiatives, the CSO will be taking a moment to declare our appreciation for his time and talent.

About Drew:

ABOUT THE CURATOR: The Bulow Plantation Ruins Visitor's Guide website is frequently maintained and updated by Andrew "Drew" Medearis. Drew recently graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School in Palm Coast, Florida, and at Daytona State College with his Associates of Arts (AA) degree in May 2026. Currently, he is now studying at DSC to pursue his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology (BSET) since this Fall. Drew started working on the Bulow Visitor's Guide website through a college Service-Learning Project in the Fall of 2024 and has learned a lot about website design, project management, digital storytelling, stakeholder agreements, User Experience vs User Interface, and proper communication over the past 2 years, which will help him in his future career as an engineer.

Please come out and enjoy our celebrating these leaders, in their own right!

Bulowville Night Tour (11/14/2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 22:15:00 GMT

Register HERE!

Only 20 Tickets will be sold!

Join us at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park for an after-hours tour of the Bulow sugar mill ruins to uncover the intriguing history of the 203-year-old site. Led by a park ranger, you will be guided through the ruins, specially illuminated for the occasions, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the fateful night in 1836 when the Seminole Tribe set fire to the mill. As you walk through the shadows of history, you will hear stories of Bulow’s fortune, the mysteries surrounding the plantation, and the fates of those who shaped its legacy – all against the backdrop of the ancient ruins.

Time: Gates open 20 to 30 minutes early; Program begins at 6:15pm.

Meet at: Bulow Plantation Ruins Pavilion

What to Bring: Protective clothing (long sleeved shirt, long pains and socks suggested) and sturdy, close-toed shoes (uneven terrain expected), insect repellent, water, flashlight.

Cost: Tickets are required for this event and space is limited; $25.00 per person. All proceeds go to the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks to help support future programming and events.

Information: Mark Adams, 386-517-2084 or email Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov

BYOK - Bring Your Own Kayak Tour, Strickland Creek (11/25/2026)

Wed, 25 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

- REGISTER HERE! -

BYOK – Bring Your Own Kayak! Explore Tomoka State Park from a unique perspective as you paddle through areas that are rarely seen from land. This guided paddle offers an opportunity to experience Tomoka’s diverse natural communities while learning about the park’s natural and cultural history.

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Meet at: City of Ormond Beach’s Sanchez Park, 329 Sanchez Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32174.

What to Bring: Water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. All participants must provide their own kayak and a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) with a whistle.

Ticketed Event: A minimum donation of $10 per person at https://www.fotbsp.com/Donate is requested. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks and support future programs and events.

Park Entry Fees: Park entry fee not applicable at this location.

Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bring-your-own-kayak-strickland-creek

Bulowville Night Tour (11/28/2026)

Sat, 28 Nov 2026 22:15:00 GMT

Register HERE!

Only 20 Tickets will be sold!

Time: Gates open 20 to 30 minutes early; Program begins at 6:15pm.

Meet at: Bulow Plantation Ruins Pavilion

What to Bring: Protective clothing (long sleeved shirt, long pains and socks suggested) and sturdy, close-toed shoes (uneven terrain expected), insect repellent, water, flashlight.

Cost: Tickets are required for this event and space is limited; $25.00 per person. All proceeds go to the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks to help support future programming and events.

Information: Mark Adams, 386-517-2084 or email Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov

Grow Native: Tomoka State Park Garden Workdays (12/09/2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m

Meet at: The Native Garden Display at Tomoka State Park

What to Bring: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Preregistration is not required. Open to participants of all ages, and no experience is necessary. For more information, please contact David Jones at David.L.Jones@FloridaDEP.gov.

Park Entry Fees: Park entry fees are waived for participants attending volunteer events

BYOK - Bring Your Own Kayak Tour, Bulow Creek (Bulow Ruins) (12/09/2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 15:00:00 GMT

- REGISTER HERE! -

BYOK – Bring Your Own Kayak! Join a park ranger for a fun and informative day paddling your own kayak along beautiful Bulow Creek. Discover the historic ruins of Bulow Plantation while enjoying the natural beauty of the area. This guided paddle offers a unique opportunity to experience the park from the water while learning about the area’s natural and cultural history.

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Meet at: Bulow Plantation Ruins Pavilion.

What to Bring: Water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. All participants are required to provide their own kayak and a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) with a whistle.

Preregistration is required. This is a ticketed event with limited availability. Participants must be 12 years of age or older. All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver before participating. For more information, contact Mark Adams at Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov.

Park Entry Fees: A $4 park entry fee per vehicle applies. Park entry fees may be paid online prior to arriving at the park through Florida State Parks, or visitors may scan the QR code at the park entrance upon arrival. Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks members may use their free-entry punch card for this event.

Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bring-your-own-kayak-bulow-creek-bulow-ruins

Bulowville Night Tour (12/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 22:15:00 GMT

Register HERE!

Only 20 Tickets will be sold!

Time: Gates open 20 to 30 minutes early; Program begins at 6:15pm.

Meet at: Bulow Plantation Ruins Pavilion

What to Bring: Protective clothing (long sleeved shirt, long pains and socks suggested) and sturdy, close-toed shoes (uneven terrain expected), insect repellent, water, flashlight.

Cost: Tickets are required for this event and space is limited; $25.00 per person. All proceeds go to the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks to help support future programming and events.

Information: Mark Adams, 386-517-2084 or email Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov

Tomoka Owl Prowl (12/12/2026)

Sun, 13 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join us for the Tomoka Owl Prowl —an evening walk that highlights the sights, sounds, and stories of Tomoka Basin State Parks after dark. Guided by experienced volunteer Joan Tague, you’ll listen for owls, learn about their habitat, and see the park in a new way.

The program will begin with a short indoor presentation about the owls that inhabit Central Florida.

Then, prepare for adventure! Following the presentation, participants will venture along moonlit park trails in search of the owls that call Tomoka State Park home. Many other animals are active after dark, so you never know what you might experience along the way.

Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Meet at: Tomoka State Park Recreation Hall, located across from the Tomoka Outpost.

What to Bring: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes (uneven terrain expected), insect repellent, water, snacks.

Preregistration is required. This is a ticketed event with limited availability. Participants will be required to sign a liability waiver before participating. For more information, contact David Jones at 386-575-4045 or David.L.Jones@FloridaDEP.gov.

Ticketed Event: A donation of $25 per person is requested. A $5 member discount code will be provided to Friends of Tomoka Basin State Park members. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks and help support the needs, programs, and events of the Tomoka Basin State Parks.

Grow Native: Tomoka State Park Garden Workdays (01/06/2027)

Wed, 06 Jan 2027 14:00:00 GMT

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m

Meet at: The Native Garden Display at Tomoka State Park

What to Bring: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Preregistration is not required. Open to participants of all ages, and no experience is necessary. For more information, please contact David Jones at David.L.Jones@FloridaDEP.gov.

Park Entry Fees: Park entry fees are waived for participants attending volunteer events

Bulowville Night Tour (01/09/2027)

Sat, 09 Jan 2027 22:30:00 GMT

Register HERE!

Only 20 Tickets will be sold!

Time: Gates open 20 to 30 minutes early; Program begins at 6:15pm.

Meet at: Bulow Plantation Ruins Pavilion

What to Bring: Protective clothing (long sleeved shirt, long pains and socks suggested) and sturdy, close-toed shoes (uneven terrain expected), insect repellent, water, flashlight.

Cost: Tickets are required for this event and space is limited; $25.00 per person. All proceeds go to the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks to help support future programming and events.

Information: Mark Adams, 386-517-2084 or email Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov

Bulowville Night Tour (01/31/2027)

Sun, 31 Jan 2027 22:45:00 GMT

Register HERE!

Only 20 Tickets will be sold!

Time: Gates open 20 to 30 minutes early; Program begins at 6:15pm.

Meet at: Bulow Plantation Ruins Pavilion

What to Bring: Protective clothing (long sleeved shirt, long pains and socks suggested) and sturdy, close-toed shoes (uneven terrain expected), insect repellent, water, flashlight.

Cost: Tickets are required for this event and space is limited; $25.00 per person. All proceeds go to the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks to help support future programming and events.

Information: Mark Adams, 386-517-2084 or email Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov

Bulowville Night Tour (02/06/2027)

Sat, 06 Feb 2027 22:45:00 GMT

Register HERE!

Only 20 Tickets will be sold!

Time: Gates open 20 to 30 minutes early; Program begins at 6:15pm.

Meet at: Bulow Plantation Ruins Pavilion

What to Bring: Protective clothing (long sleeved shirt, long pains and socks suggested) and sturdy, close-toed shoes (uneven terrain expected), insect repellent, water, flashlight.

Cost: Tickets are required for this event and space is limited; $25.00 per person. All proceeds go to the Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks to help support future programming and events.

Information: Mark Adams, 386-517-2084 or email Mark.D.Adams@FloridaDEP.gov