Atlantic Beach residents can sample yaupon tea, mix bug spray and spot butterfly plants at a free guided walk through Howell Park on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m.

The city's Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC), an advisory body under Atlantic Beach city government, is taking its speaker series outdoors for the evening, according to a city announcement. Biologist Jessica Spencer and home chef Mike Franqui will lead the group along the park's trails, stopping for hands-on activities at several stations.

Native plants, tea and hands-on activities

Participants will sample tea made from yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), a native evergreen shrub, learn to make natural insect repellent, compare native and invasive plants in a bingo-style game and identify butterfly host plants.

Yaupon holly is the only caffeine-producing plant native to North America, according to the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Indigenous peoples brewed tea from its leaves for centuries.

Franqui has a history of involvement in the committee's conservation efforts. He and his wife, Amy Franqui, were named the committee's inaugural Residential Conservation Champ of the Year at an awards ceremony April 23, 2025. Spencer is identified as a biologist in the city's announcement, though no further affiliation is listed.

Howell Park's conservation history

Howell Park sits at 810 Seminole Road between Seminole Road and East Coast Drive. Named after former Mayor Billy Howell, the passive park features about 2,500 feet of nature trails winding through freshwater streams and picnic areas.

The park has been a focus of the committee's conservation efforts. Gretchen Deters-Murray's invasive plant cleanups at Howell Park earned the ESC's Resilient Initiative of the Year award in 2025.

The committee's August meeting agenda noted a date change for the October speaker series event.

Where to meet for the free walk

Attendees should meet at the picnic tables next to the main parking lot, near the Heritage Tree. No registration or RSVP is listed in the city's announcement.

What's ahead at the Beaches: The JAX Chamber Beaches Division hosts a networking event Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach.