Habitat Restoration at
Oakland Nature Preserve
T
here are so many ways to explore,
enjoy, and learn throughout
the Oakland Nature Preserve.
With 6 different trails stretching
miles throughout the 128-acre
expanse, to the wheelchair accesible
boardwalk winding through forested
wetlands to a serene setting on Lake
Apopka, you can embark on an
adventure through four distinctly
different ecological zones: upland
forest, wetland edge, forested
wetland, as well as Lake Apopka.
neighborhoods, the parcel, formerly
dominated by sand pines, is being
returned to the sandhill plant
community that existed there before
having been cleared for growing citrus.
The area was replanted with native
sandhill plant species after harvesting
the sand pines. Sand pines are usually
found in native scrub communities
and have little habitat value, so the
restoration to these areas helps
replace the habitat for a number
of species which were greatly
The eleven-acre section encircled reduced when areas were cleared
by the 0.7 mile Uplands Red Trail for agriculture or development.
has been undergoing extensive
restoration for the over three years These species include the threatened
now. Bordering the Hull Island area gopher tortoise, endangered Indigo
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AUGUST 2018
snake, bobwhite quail, and many other
different types of birds and insects.
Long-term restoration plans for this
upland area include future controlled
burns, essential for maintaining
balanced plant communities.
With such important ongoing
conservation efforts, along with the
year-round educational programs
offered, the Preserve hosts several
fund raising events throughout the
year. This month, Cork & Canvas
at the Preserve invites guests to
enjoy wine & snacks while creating
art and learning about its resident
plants and animals. And on October
20, the the Oakland Heritage &
Wildlife Festival will offer wildlife