Gilchrist County Conservation Easement Protects Portion of North Waccasassa Flats | |
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Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) acquired a 538-acre conservation easement in Gilchrist County, Florida, on land owned by Bob and Lori Carroll. The conservation easement will permanently protect part of the North Waccasassa Flats region, one of North Florida’s most ecologically significant landscapes. The conservation easement was acquired through the Florida Forever program, the state’s premier land acquisition program.
The North Waccasassa Flats, located in the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast, is an approximately 14,000-acre undeveloped region between High Springs and Bell, Florida. It is known for its diverse habitats and protects regional watersheds and groundwater resources.
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Explore the Outdoors with ACT's EcoRover All-Terrain Wheelchair | |
ACT’s EcoRover program offers recreational access to wild Florida through a tracked wheelchair, made possible by a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center.
The EcoRover can navigate various terrains and is currently available at Prairie Creek Preserve, Orange Lake Overlook, and Tuscawilla. Please note that only one chair is currently available; our team will help schedule your visit.
The EcoRover is free to use, and there are no entrance fees at the preserves. Please bring necessary personal items like water, medications, and appropriate clothing. A friend or caregiver will be required to accompany you on the trails.
For more details or to schedule, please visit the link below.
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Now Hiring: Administrative Coordinator | |
ACT is hiring a new Administrative Coordinator in Gainesville, Florida.
The position is responsible for the smooth operation of the office, including but not limited to: answering and directing incoming phone calls, filing paper and digital documents, database entry, facilitating vendor invoice processing, assistance with grant expenditure tracking, and more.
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2024 Fall Natural Resource Internship Recap | |
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Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Natural Resource Interns who completed their semester-long internship in December!
For four months, our eight Natural Resource Interns—Ally, Chris, Zaira, Kaitlyn, Ryan, Seth, Alyssa, and Andrea—collectively gave 1,276 hours of their time to ACT. During the semester, interns learned how to safely use and maintain power tools like brush cutters, hedge trimmers, and chainsaws, learned plant ID, and completed various land management activities.
Interns take away many things from their semester; Zaira was no exception this fall.
She said, “My experience with ACT as a natural resource intern has taught me practical skills that I feel confident and capable of carrying out. In addition to learning these skills, I have been introduced to job trajectories and paths through our experienced guest leaders. I couldn’t be where I am now, personally or professionally, without this internship and the healthy environment it fosters. My fellow interns and our shared experiences shaped my attitude and enthusiasm for this field for which I am eternally grateful.”
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Featured Event
Volunteer Work Day and Preserve Tour:
Little Awesome Preserve
Saturday, January 18, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Join ACT for a cleanup event at Little Awesome Preserve. We will be removing debris from abandoned hunting sites.
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Florida Arbor Day Planting with Springs Artist Margaret Tolbert at Santa Fe Springs Preserve
Friday, January 17, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Join ACT and Springs artist, Margaret Tolbert for a tree-planting event at Santa Fe Springs Preserve.
Saturday, January 25, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Join ACT for a Full Moon Hike at Orange Lake Overlook Preserve!
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ACT recently welcomed Megan Abram as an Agricultural Lands Outreach Specialist. An Alachua County native, she has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with an emphasis on Cattle Production.
Megan’s appreciation for open spaces and working lands was inspired early. Many canoe camping trips down the Suwannee River and dives in the local springs fostered her appreciation for Florida’s natural beauty.
On the weekends Megan can be found paddling one of Florida’s beautiful rivers, freediving in springs across the state, or in her garden with her dogs.
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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!
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Banner Image by Thomas Niemi | | | | |
