Places of interest as you travel to the SESAF Annual Conference at the Sandestin Hilton.

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1 Places of interest as you travel to the SESAF Annual Conference at the Sandestin Hilton. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is right next door to the Sanddestin Hilton. The park features pristine beaches, old-growth longleaf pine forests, sand pine scrub and a variety of wetlands offering a bird watching and hiking paradise. The park has bungalows available for weekly stays. Yellow River Marsh protects one of Florida s last remaining tracts of wet prairie including the largest community of picture plants in the state. In 1828, John Q. Adams designated the Naval Live Oak area of the gulf island as the first tree farm in the United States. The park features information on early ship building using the native live oaks and there are several miles of hiking trails through the live oak trees. The Bass Pro Shop Destin is just down the road from the Hilton.

2 What appears to be bushes in the dunes are often full-size slash pines and southern magnolias with only their tops protruding from the drifting sand. Grayton Beach Nature Trail winds among the sand dunes, pine flatwoods and scrub communities. Nestled in the Blackwater State Forest, the Blackwater River State Park offers exceptional value in illustrating the natural history of Florida. The area has extensive longleaf pine forests and Atlantic white cedars line the river. One of the Atlantic white cedars was recognized as a Florida champion tree. Russell Johnson The Blackwater River State Forest s natural stands of longleaf pine are among the best remaining examples of the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem that once covered much of the southeastern United States. Other natural communities found on the area include hardwood swamps, mixed loblolly pine and hardwoods, and pitcher plant bogs. Some of the most beautiful stands of Atlantic white cedar in the state are found along the banks of the Blackwater River and its tributaries.

3 This park is known for huge trees and sink holes. Falling Waters Sink is a 100 foot deep, 20 foot wide cylindrical pit into which flows a stream that drops 73 feet to the bottom of the sink. Two nature trails wind through a rich diversity of coastal plant communities that offer a splendid opportunity for bird watching. Two fishing piers and a jetty provide ample fishing opportunities. Located in Destin, Florida, this state park features a close look at the coastal dune ecosystem. Sand pines, scrub oaks and dune rosemary comprise many of the plants occupying this area. The park features sugar white sand beaches. Florida s only park to offer cave tours open to the public. The cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies.

4 This park preserves many old growth longleaf pine trees with several over 300 years old that once dominated the Florida landscape. Deer Lake State Park shares its name with the coastal dune lake within its boundaries. Coastal dune lakes are extremely rare worldwide and in the United States they occur only along the Gulf Coast. Southern magnolias, golden asters, woody goldenrod, and scrub oaks can be seen in this coastal dune habitat. Fred Robinette Pine Log State Forest is home to a diverse mixture of animal and plant species. Those animals and plants currently listed as or endangered, threatened or species of special concern which have been sighted on the forest include: flatwoods salamander, gopher tortoise, southern milkweed, white-top pitcherplant and Chapman's crownbeard. There are various natural communities found on the forest. They include sandhills, flatwoods, cypress ponds and titi swamps. Pine Log State Forest has 3 named streams (Pine Log Creek, Little Crooked Creek and Ditch Branch) as well as several small lakes and ponds.

5 Point Washington State Forest: The majority of the area consists of sandhill, basin swamps/titi drains, wet flatwoods, wet prairie and cypress swamps. Although much of Point Washington State Forest has been cut over, there are some excellent examples of intact sandhill ecosystems. Point Washington State Forest uses prescribed fire to manage timber, wildlife and ecological resources. The Air Force Armament Museum is located near Eglin Air Force Base's main gate and is the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to the display of Air Force armament. Visitors can view a variety of historical Air Force planes, from a B-17 World War II bomber to an F-4 Phantom II jet. FREE ADMISSION The National Museum of Naval Aviation: Pensacola, Florida See over 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. Experience the thrill of flight in our Flight Simulators, visit the Naval Aviation Memorial Theatre and catch all the drama and power of our amazing IMAX films.

6 Blackwater River Forest & SP Florida Caverns Falling Waters Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou Naval Museum Yellow River Marsh Air Force Museum Naval Live Oaks Pine Log State Forest Henderson Beach Destin, FL Topsail Hill Grayton Beach Point Washington State Forest Deer Lake St Andrews BLACK STAR MARKS THE LOCATION OF THE SANDESTIN HILTON