Alachua County Forever Program Purchases 189 Acres on the Santa Fe River

The Alachua County Forever Program recently celebrated the purchase of 189 acres on the Santa Fe River. This important acquisition, previously owned by the Matthews Family, protects over 1/2-mile of riverbank and adds to a growing corridor of conserved lands along this ecologically-diverse waterway.

Funding from the Wild Spaces & Public Places 1/2-cent sales tax in Alachua County helped make this acquisition possible along with assistance from ACT's former Land Acquisitions Negotiator, Byron Flagg, and current Conservation Acquisitions Specialist, Michael Bird, who both worked on this project through ACT's partnership with Alachua County.

ACT's Santa Fe Springs Preserve, which was protected in 2019, is located just a mile away from this newly conserved land.

Future plans for the property will include passive public recreation and longleaf pine restoration. ACT is honored to have been a part of this project and thankful to the Matthews Family and our partners at Alachua County Forever for their commitment to seeing this land conserved as well as Alachua County voters for their support for the Wild Spaces & Public Places Program.

Photo and map by Alachua County.

CrEEK Program Awarded 2023 Every Kid Outdoors Grant

ACT’s Creekside Environmental Ed for Kids (CrEEK) Program was one of 33 awardees for the National Park Trust’s 2023 Every Kid Outdoors grant. In partnership with the USDA Forest Service, the National Park Trust developed the Every Kid Outdoors grant to support schools and organizations focused on connecting elementary school-aged youth to public parks, lands, and waters. The Every Kid Outdoors grant through the National Park Trust will provide $4,500 to the CrEEK Program for transportation of students from underserved schools in Gainesville and Putnam Counties to Little Orange Creek Nature Park.

The CrEEK Program serves approximately 800-1,000 fourth graders from underserved schools annually. As part of their participation in the CrEEK program, students engage in activities such as catching bugs with a sweep net in the grass fields, dipnetting for invertebrates in the creek, working within nature to identify and learn about decomposition and the carbon cycle, going on nature hikes where they identify different species of plants and animals, and cataloging their discoveries in their science journal. These activities are paired with guidance and discussion with ecologists and environmental educators so students can make lasting connections with the knowledge gained and the surrounding environment.

The CrEEK program offers students, who may not have the chance to explore nature in their everyday lives, an opportunity to gain knowledge about science concepts, feel empowered to ask questions and explore, and most importantly, have fun in the process. Through the program, ACT hopes to inspire a passion for nature and empower the next generation of conservation stewards.

“The CrEEK program is truly something special,” said CrEEK Program Coordinator Keara Clancy. “The outdoor classroom doesn’t just teach students about science, it allows them to have a transformative experience in how they see and experience the world around them. They feel empowered to continue exploring and employing the new skills they have learned, even after the field trip is over – and that’s what it’s all about.”

Tickets Now on Sale for the 2023 Conservation Stewards Awards

Join ACT on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. for the Annual Conservation Stewards Awards at Prairie Creek Lodge. This event honors individuals in our community who are influential in a wide variety of ways – the arts, historic preservation, and particularly, in protecting our wildlife and natural resources. Past Conservation Stewards Awards have been some of the largest gatherings of community leaders and supporters of wild Florida in the region.

Our theme this year celebrates the profound impact of community educators and their work to inspire future generations. Their devotion to providing educational opportunities to all and empowering young people to find their passion in conservation and their local communities is inspirational. The future of conservation would not be possible without community educators, who work tirelessly to ensure that those they serve have a meaningful understanding of the natural world, its history, and the opportunities for enacting change. Whether in outdoor classrooms at local nature preserves, community centers, or lecture halls, our honorees have made conservation and preservation a component of their work. Please join us in honoring their efforts and recognizing their passion and persistence to shape the past, present, and future of conservation.

2023 Conservation Steward Honorees

Randi Cameon

Richard Hamann

Vivian Filer

Funds from this event will support Alachua Conservation Trust's work towards land conservation. Tickets are $80 (increases to $100 after March 10th) and include dinner, drinks, silent auction, and a musical performance from Gainesville-based Sooza Brass Band.

Become a Conservation 365 Member for discounted tickets here.

Flyer by Anabel Anderson. Click on the flyer for larger image.

Conservation 365: A Great Way to Give

Amazon recently announced that the Amazon Smile Program, which allowed buyers to support their favorite non-profits with their purchases, would be discontinued. While this was one way you could donate previously, ACT has another option for those looking to regularly contribute to conservation efforts in their area. The Conservation 365 Program is ACT's monthly giving program that allows you to designate a set amount each month to donate to conservation efforts in Florida - including land acquisition, habitat restoration, and environmental education.

Conservation 365 members also receive invitations to special member-only events and tours, early access to discounted tickets to the annual Conservation Stewards Awards, and a chance to celebrate their love for the outdoors together during the annual C365 member tree planting event.

The Conservation 365 Program has grown to include over 75 members who together donated over $21,300 last year! These donations provide long-term support for ACT's on-the-ground conservation activities and help provide vital support for ACT's land acquisition efforts. For those looking for a way to make a lasting impact, Conservation 365 is a great way for you to make extraordinary land conservation a daily affair. Give monthly, Conserve daily! 

Weekly Walk & Talk at Blues Creek Ravine Preserve:

Friday, March 3rd from 3 pm - 5 pm

Join ACT staff and partners on a hike of our different nature preserves each week and learn about the ecology, history, and current and future restoration plans.

Margaret Tolbert Drawing Workshop at Telford Spring

Friday, March 10th from 10 am - 12 pm

Join ACT and springs artist Margaret Tolbert for a drawing workshop at Telford Spring! R.S.V.P. here.

Weekly Walk & Talk at Prairie Creek Preserve:

Friday, March 10th from 3 pm - 5 pm

Join ACT staff and partners on a hike of our different nature preserves each week and learn about the ecology, history, and current and future restoration plans.

Volunteer Workday at Serenola Forest Preserve:

Saturday, March 11th from 9 am - 12 pm

Join ACT for a volunteer workday to help remove old fencing in the preserve. Sign up here.

Weekly Walk & Talk at Rock Bluff Springs:

Friday, March 17th from 3 pm - 5 pm

Join ACT staff and partners on a hike of our different nature preserves each week and learn about the ecology, history, and current and future restoration plans.

Weekly Walk & Talk at Santa Fe River Preserve:

Friday, March 24th from 3 pm - 5 pm

Join ACT staff and partners on a hike of our different nature preserves each week and learn about the ecology, history, and current and future restoration plans.

Weekly Walk & Talk at Tuscawilla Preserve:

Friday, March 31st from 3 pm - 5 pm

Join ACT staff and partners on a hike of our different nature preserves each week and learn about the ecology, history, and current and future restoration plans.

Pancakes on the Prairie at Tuscawilla Cabin:

Saturday, April 1st from 9 am - 11:30 am

Join ACT for a free pancake breakfast at the cabin on Tuscawilla Prairie.

Morning Bug Walk at Tuscawilla Preserve:

Sunday, April 2nd from 9 am - 11 am

Join Dr. Jiri Hulcr and Dr. Andrea Lucky from the University of Florida for this family-friendly bug ID event at Tuscawilla Preserve.

You make conservation possible! 

Thank you for donating your time, money, and energy to making ACT's work a success.

Please donate today - or consider including ACT in your estate planning - to save wild spaces, train the next generation of land stewards, and open up new public preserves to your community.

THANK YOU!

Banner image of sandhill crane by Kim Davidson.