Happy Holidays! Join us at Little Orange Creek Preserve with the whole family to plant longleaf pine seedlings and decorate holiday cookies. 

This event is open to the general public. Children participating must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to RSVP at info@alachuaconservationtrust.org.

WHEN

Saturday, December 2nd
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

WHERE

Little Orange Creek Preserve
Please use the following GPS coordinates to access the North Entrance of the preserve with access to the Kathy Cantwell Trail:

29.594806, -82.062938 (Google Map)

Specific parking instructions will be provided to all registrants. See below to RSVP.

ABOUT THE PRESERVE

Little Orange Creek Preserve & Nature Park is a partnership between Alachua Conservation Trust, Alachua County, Friends of Little Orange Creek, Putnam Land Conservancy, Conservation Florida (formerly Conservation Trust for Florida), and the City of Hawthorne to protect an extensive tract of undeveloped lands near Hawthorne, Florida. Alachua Conservation Trust is leading the management and acquisition for this project.

Little Orange Creek Preserve & Nature Park now covers nearly 2,900 acres of the upper Little Orange Creek watershed, and protects a patchwork of diverse wetlands that feed into and form Fowlers Prairie, including the pinelands and hammock that surround it. Large parts of Little Orange Creek Preserve are basin swamp with a mix of cypress, tupelo, and red maple. The uplands were historically a mix of sandhill and flatwoods that were steadily converted to planted pine many years ago.

The rich variety of habitats supports a wonderful diversity of plants and animals. Bears regularly travel through the area, and have been photographed numerous times using trail cameras. Other large mammals include deer, coyotes, bobcats, and otters. The freshwater marshes and swamps provide excellent habitat for many species of wading birds and other wetland dependent species.

Located to the south of the preserve, across Highway 20, the Nature Park includes a nature center, playground, covered pavilion, and an outdoor fitness equipment station. During the school year, students are invited to Little Orange Creek Nature Park as part of the Creekside Environmental Ed for Kids Program to learn about the basics of wetland and wildlife ecology.

FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO RSVP

This event is free, but supplies and space are limited. Contact Alachua Conservation Trust by email at info@alachuaconservationtrust.org to RSVP or for more information.