Saarinen Preserve
SUMMARY
Size: 78 acres
Year conserved: Late 1990's Generously donated by Arthur and Phyllis Saarinen.
ABOUT THE PRESERVE
The Saarinen Preserve was donated to ACT in the late 1990's by Arthur and Phyllis Saarinen for perpetual preservation.
The property has a mix of forest types. There are scattered natural stands of longleaf pine and live oak within about 40 acres of mesic hammock - an upland forest type mostly consisting of hardwoods - and there are a total of about 38 acres of planted slash pine. The planted pines are approximately 17-years-old, and some of the live oaks and longleaf pines may be more than a century old.
ACT has undertaken restoration activities that include thinning of the planted pine and replacing it with native longleaf pine. Other efforts will include creating conditions that encourage desirable species to seed in naturally, such as maintaining openings to encourage a more diverse herbaceous and wildflower layer. The ultimate goal is a forest that mimics the natural forest of North Central Florida – a mosaic of pines with a wide range of hardwoods and shrubs suitable for the site.
TRAILHEAD ADDRESS
Address: 3208 NW 186th Street, Newberry, FL 32609
GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES
Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset.
Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash.
Trails are unpaved and in some places can be muddy, uneven, or wet.
Drones are not permitted without permission from ACT.
Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
TRAIL MAP
Click on the map image to download.
