Join ACT for a workday at Prairie Creek Preserve, we will be doing invasive caesar's weed removal.
Please RSVP to reserve your spot.
WHAT TO BRING
Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, and hat.
WHEN
Thursday, February 22nd, 2024
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
WHERE
Access Prairie Creek Preserve by parking at Prairie Creek Lodge located at 7204 SE CR 234, Gainesville, FL 32641 (Google Map)
ABOUT THE PRESERVE
Prairie Creek Preserve and the surrounding 1,150 acres were purchased by ACT from 2005 to 2015. Over 500 acres were then added to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, while another 96 acres were added to Alachua County Forever’s Conservation Lands Program. The remainder comprises Prairie Creek Preserve, a 606-acre nature preserve that includes Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, a natural burial ground that also conserves land.
Prairie Creek drains Newnans Lake, one of the largest lakes in north Florida, towards Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and Orange Lake. The upland areas of the preserve are made up of flatwoods, mesic and hydric hammocks, and wetlands that include cypress swamps, depression marshes, and blackwater streams. The basin provides a corridor along an important flyway through this part of the state – annual bird surveys always find large and diverse populations of migrating and local birds. Wildlife seen recently include: bald eagle, swallow-tailed kite, red-headed woodpecker, northern bobwhite, wild turkey, gopher tortoise, American alligator, golden mouse, river otter, and Florida black bear. There is also great floral diversity within the preserve’s boundary, with aquatic plants such as blue-flag iris, water lilies, lotus, pickerel weed and lizard's tail in showy blossom in the spring.
Prairie Creek Preserve has a well-maintained trail network that winds through a wide variety of habitat types. Areas that were previously in planted pine are in the process of being restored with longleaf pine and wiregrass, and you may also notice signs of prescribed fire within these areas.
ACCESS INFO
Prairie Creek Preserve provides public trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.
The trails are unpaved and in some places can be muddy, uneven, or wet.
Dogs are welcome.
The preserve closes at dark.
REGISTRATION
Contact Alachua Conservation Trust by email at info@alachuaconservationtrust.org to RSVP or for more information.
