Nature Sites

Scenic Vistas

One of the most amazing things about the Green Mountain Scenic Byway are the vistas, nature’s décor! At the north end of the byway and just minutes from Orlando, Sugarloaf Mountain boasts some of the best views of the Lake Apopka region. Yes, there is a mountain in Florida! Sugarloaf Mountain is the highest point in peninsular Florida at 312 feet above sea level, and the stunning views are worth the trip.

The byway continues through a lowland hammock known originally as Compton’s Hammock. The hammock has also become known as the Cabbage Patch, after a notorious roadhouse of that name that was located among the cabbage palms in the hammock back in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Large oaks, maples and sweet gums line the road, and rare Needle Palms, hapidophyllum hystrix, are found along the right-of-way.

Endangered Species

Endangered plant species are a just a few more abundant perks lining the Byway. If you look hard you can see many different varieties, Warea amplexifolia and Blooming Scrub Plu, pictured below, are just a few.

U.S. and Florida State listed Endangered Warea amplexifolia, on the Ferndale Ridge, part of the Lake Wales Ridge within the corridor. Note the background of nearly bare sand, indicative of the nearly desert like conditions found on top of the ridge. Photo courtesy of Ed Gonzalez, Ferndale.

Blooming Scrub Plum, Prunus geniculata, Ferndale Ridge. U.S. and Florida State listed endangered. Photo courtesy Ed Gonzalez, Ferndale

Oakland Nature Preserve

The Oakland Nature Preserves vision is to, “promote understanding of the fragile balances among land, water, mankind, and the environment by EDUCATING present and future generations about the natural systems of the Lake Apopka Basin and by RESTORING and CONSERVING the lands within the Preserve.” Its 128 acres consists of 90 acres of undisturbed forest wetlands while 38 acres are being restored to a longleaf pine-turkey oak plant community. The Oakland Nature Preserve is managed and restored by volunteers. It’s the perfect setting to view the flora and fauna of this region.

http://www.oaklandnaturepreserve.org/

Ferndale Preserve (Opening Soon!)

The 192-acre Ferndale Preserve is located on the western shore of Lake Apopka. It offers equestrian, multi-purpose, and hiking trails, all with amazing views of Lake Apopka. The preserve was once an orange grove, which is being restored to a longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem. There are many plant and animal species to be observed, even some endangered tree species. Lake County’s Park Rangers lead regularly scheduled nature hikes along with bird and butterfly surveys. The preserve has plans for a fishing pier, observation tower, a scenic pavilion, a boardwalk through the wet deciduous woodland, a picnic area and a playground.

http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/departments/public_works/parks/ferndale_preserve.aspx

Great Florida Birding Trail

The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported in part by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. This 2000-mile, self-guided highway trail is a collection of 489 birding sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent birding or bird education opportunities. The GFBT is designed to conserve and enhance Florida’s bird habitat by promoting birding activities, conservation education and economic opportunity. For more information about the GFBT and other birding groups please see the links below.

http://floridabirdingtrail.com/index.html

http://www.oklawaha-audubon.org/

http://www.orangeaudubonfl.org/

St. Johns River Water Management District

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s North Shore Restoration Area is composed of 20,068 acres on the northern shore of Lake Apopka. Most of the Restoration Area is composed of former muck farms, which were once either marsh or lake bottom. The Water Management District has created 5.7 miles of trails on Clay Island and constructed an observation tower on the shoreline. It will be a great place to hike and observe many species of birds from all over and other rare wildlife. There is at present, however, no access to Clay Island and the Restoration Area from the Scenic Byway. Watch for future developments.

http://www.sjrwmd.com

Lake Apopka

Lake Apopka was once the second largest lake in Florida and one of the top spots in the world for freshwater sport fishing. At one time there were at least 21 fish camps on the shore of the lake. The water was so clear that it was said that a fisherman could look in the water and pick out the fish he wanted to catch. Massive drainage of wetlands for agriculture decreased the size of Lake Apopka and waste discharges from local municipalities, industry, and nutrient laden runoff from farms turned the lake pea green with algae and doomed the sport fishing industry. Due to legislation enacted in 1996, the St. John’s River Water Management District has embarked on a 25 to 50 year, $130 million project to restore the lake to a Class III water body. Currently boating, fishing and canoeing are popular on Lake Apopka as restoration efforts continue. Once restored Lake Apopka will again be rich in habitat value. Stay tuned for more updated on the restoration process!