Ribault Garden Club open house topic: Jacksonville Zoo
The Ribault Garden Club, 705 Second Ave. North, Jacksonville Beach, will hold an open house at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. It is open to the public, and admission is free. There will be refreshments and a raffle.
The program will feature reptiles and amphibians from the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Guest speaker will be Andrew Jacobs, educator at the zoo. His topic will be “REZOOVENATION … Curiosity, Conservation, & Wildlife on Display!”
Attendees will learn about animals in the local habitat and how we affect each other! Learn how the zoo is a leader in Florida wildlife conservation, and about the Manatee-ville Rescue & Rehabilitation Habitat opening in 2026 and upcoming seasonal exhibits.
Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens is one of only seven zoos in the United States with an animal wellness team providing an environment for the animals to thrive.
The Ribault Garden Club is a member of National Garden Clubs Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. (District IV).
For further information, go to ribaultgc.org or call 904-246-4641.
Guided exploration planned
Join volunteers at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) National Estuarine Research Reserve for a guided exploration hike from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.
Learn about the Guana Peninsula’s natural biodiversity, expansive cultural history, vital estuarine resources and current efforts to protect these resources.
Meet at the GTM Research Reserve Trailhead Pavilion (west of Guana Dam), 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach.
The event is free but parking is $3 per vehicle. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Hat, insect repellent, water and sunscreen are also recommended.
Register at gtmnerr.org/calendar.
Palm Valley Market every Tuesday
The Palm Valley Market is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It offers organically grown produce, pasture-raised chicken, eggs and pork; grass-fed and finished beef; local honey; raw milk; bone broth; whole grain, sourdough and gluten- and dairy-free sourdough breads; an array of baked goods; all-natural plant- and animal-based skincare; local artisans; and more. This charming venue located in the heart of Palm Valley affords customers both an indoor and an open-air shopping experience. Palm Valley Market — Palm Valley Community Center, 148 Canal Blvd.
For more information, email info@PalmValleyMarket.com.
Farmers market open every Friday
The Ponte Vedra Friday Farmers Market takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday at Palm Valley Outdoors, 377 S. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, offering fresh produce, local farm goods and a welcoming space to connect with neighbors and small businesses.
This farmers market features fresh, organically grown produce; Florida grass-fed beef and pork; real local honey; pasture-raised chicken and eggs; wholegrain breads; gluten-free sourdough bread; natural botanical skincare; creations by local artisans and more in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Family seining activity planned
Join a guided family seining activity from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Learn about the animals and their roles in Guana Lake by pulling a seine net and collecting species of fish, crabs and other marine life.
Meet at GTM Research Reserve Guana Dam, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach.
Register online at gtmnerr.org/calendars.
The event is free, but parking is $3 per vehicle. All necessary gear (waders and boots) will be provided. Hat, insect repellent, water and sunscreen are recommended.
Grief support group to meet
A grief support group meets on the third Wednesday of every month at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in the Fr. Kelly Room of the Kelly Athletic Center, 212 Fifth Street N., Jacksonville Beach. The group is for men and women grieving the death of a family member or friend. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17. For information, call Kathy at 904-553-8933.
Jacksonville Humane Society gets $25K grant
The Jacksonville Humane Society has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Florida Animal Friends, Inc. to support targeted Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return (TNVR) efforts in the Jacksonville community. This generous grant will fund 625 spay/neuter surgeries to prevent the birth of thousands of kittens and improve the lives of animals across the city.
TNVR is a humane and effective strategy used to manage and reduce the outdoor cat and kitten population. By trapping, neutering, vaccinating and returning cats to their original location, the nonprofit and its partners help prevent future litters, improve the lives of outdoor/community cats and reduce the volume of intake on local shelters.
The grant from Florida Animal Friends, Inc. was made possible through the purchase of Florida’s official Animal Friendly specialty license plates. Proceeds from these plates directly fund spay/neuter programs across the state.
St. Johns Botanical Garden plans gardening event
The Green Thumbs, the gardening volunteers, will offer their personal expertise from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve, 8310 C.R. 13 South, Hastings. (Rain date: Oct. 18). Specific talks include garden basics, gardening with native plants and propagation techniques.
The first talk begins at 10:30, with a break for lunch, followed by a walking tour of the nature preserve and the native gardens, ending with a demonstration of how to propagate succulents and other plants. There will also be a plant sale.
The volunteers will be available throughout the day to answer questions and offer in-depth knowledge about maintenance requirements to keep your garden looking its best.
A food truck will be on site or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy one of the shaded picnic areas. Garden admission is required (members are free). For more information, go to stjohnsbotanicalgarden.org or its FaceBook page.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
