Preserves

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.  To learn more visi:t Little Orange Creek Preserve

The Longleaf Forest Reserve is a diverse area of intact natural communities. The uplands are comprised mainly of wet and mesic flatwoods and sandhill. Several small wetlands drain to the southwest into a larger basin swamp, which drains to the River Styx, then drains to Orange Lake. One of the special highlights of this property is the variety of upland and wetland ecosystems that can be viewed from the trail systems. Pitcher plant wetlands and longleaf wiregrass savannas can be seen within a short hike. The natural community diversity at Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve provides habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. You might see gopher tortoise, white-tailed deer, turkey, bobcat and a diverse bird population.To learn more visit: Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve

One of the special highlights of this property is the numerous meandering creeks that flow through the property. Some of the pines on the Hatchet Creek Tract are nearly 120 feet tall. The Newnans Lake area is a popular wildlife viewing area. Common wildlife sightings include white-tailed deer, fox, otter and a variety of snakes. There are several bald eagle nests not far off the trails of the North Tract. Common bird sightings include bald eagles, osprey, wild turkeys and several varieties of warblers, wading birds and shore birds.​To learn more visit: Newnans Lake Conservation Area

Santa Fe River Preserve protects 934 acres on the banks of the Santa Fe River near Worthington Springs. The preserve includes high bluffs along the river and an interesting tangle of floodplain forest where the New River converges with the Santa Fe.

The preserve has an interesting mix of flora which in turn support a wide diversity of wildlife. There are wild azaleas and rain lilies on the banks; large birch trees, cypresses, and gums in the bottomlands; and a ridge of live oaks and pines in the uplands with lots of sparkleberry and wire grass in the understory. Bears frequent the river corridor, and there is a rare and endangered mussel in this watershed. To learn more visit: Santa Fe River Preserve

Serenola Forest is home to threatened plant and wildlife species and connects the woodland hammock to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Thus offering larger wildlife much needed room to roam and protection. Saving Serenola Forest not only benefits natural space, but also people who love to hike, bike, view wildlife, and gather together with the people they care about. To learn more visit: Serenola Forest Preserve​