6 miles – GPS: N26.942664, W80.197463
The natural area contains seven native Florida ecosystems: mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, hydric hammock, wet prairie, depression marsh, dome swamp, and blackwater stream. Restoration activities include removing invasive nonnative vegetation, filling six miles of ditches to restore the hydroperiod, changing the elevations of shell mining pits to encourage revegetation by native wetland plants, and improving the Old Indiantown Road grade (now known as the Historic Jupiter-Indiantown Trail) for use as a multi-purpose trail for us! Watch for new light blue blazes. You’ll see many flowers and even an old chimney still standing most likely the remnant of an early homestead of one of Jupiter’s founding families. However, no documentation was left or found to explain who or any details.
Directions: 10035 Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL. (not a mailing address) The parking lot is located on the north (right) side of Indiantown Road, approximately one mile west of Florida’s Turnpike by Jupiter Farms Road on State Road 706, just past Riverbend Park. There is a McDonald’s and a Publix across the road from the parking lot.
Great wildlife: It’s likely you will see many butterflies (Fritillary, Swallowtail), birds, a few startled and quick gopher tortoise, and abundant TRACKS! Watch for the very fresh tracks at that indicate animals are around you and listen. Don’t be surprised if you spot a bobcat, coyote, or even a large PANTHER they are out here!
***Bring lots of water, sunscreen, and lunch as we will eat on location! BYOB optional.