Alachua Conservation Trusts’ South Tract hugs the Santa Fe River before the New River Confluence. Explorers will encounter a more remote portion of untamed wilderness. This time of year the wild azaleas and rain lilies are blooming, as are the river birch, cypress and tupelo. It is spring in the bottomland. Come amble along these rich slopes along the Santa Fe Creek with Dr. Jacono, plant botanist who studies the unique flora that thrives in these bottomlands.
Located far upstream of the karstic underlay and celebrated springs of the Lower Santa Fe River, this newest addition to the Santa Fe River Preserve offers an intimate view of a narrow, meandering course as the river draws nearer to its source. Here find a bending, curving and dark stream course flanked with rich, high banks hosting river birch, swamp titi, and willow. Its trails are studded with native azaleas which we may encounter in their cinnamon scented bloom.
The hike is this Saturday March 9th, 9:00 am – 11:30am. For those interested in bringing a lunch, we will picnic at the car park entrance on return. A $25.00 donation will include a wristband for our Songwriters contest on March 24th. The hike is limited to 25 people.
Your donation helps Our Santa Fe River operate our programs which include Invasive Plant removals and spring based educational programs.
OSFR President Joanne Tremblay
joanne.tremblay@oursantaferiver.org
“Giving Our River A Voice”
