The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.

Northwest Florida Water Management District

This sandhill community is located within the Econfina Creek Water Management Area and is being restored to a longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystem.  

Sandhill was historically widespread on well-drained sands
throughout the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain and was once a major part of an extensive mosaic of natural communities dominated by longleaf pines. This area was once widely covered in sand pine plantations used for timber and pulpwood industries.  

In 2021, the sand pines were harvested and removed. In 2022,
the site was cleaned and prepared for restoration. In 2023, longleaf pine tubelings and wiregrass seed will be distributed throughout this 426-acre tract. In approximately three years, prescribed fire will be reintroduced to this area to help reduce competing vegetation and promote species diversity.  

Visit here periodically to see how this site is being transferred back into its natural habitat.       

Econfina Rd- Sandhill Restoration South of Rattlesnake Lake

Econfina Creek and the neighboring sandhills create a unique and
special habitat in Florida. The creek is largely spring-fed and is well
known for its cold, clear water as well as its natural vegetation, bird life,
and geologic and hydrologic features. It is the steepest gradient canoe trail in the state, featuring rapids, springs, and rock outcrops.  

The District has acquired a majority of the Econfina Creek corridor and Sand Hill Lakes Mitigation Bank for water resource protection, restoration, and preservation and is the primary source of drinking water for Bay County.  

Rain failing on these rolling sandhills sink into the underlying
limestone aquifer and moves rapidly toward the creek where it bubbles up as pure, clean spring water. Econfina Creek contains many unique wetland and upland habitats including spring-run streams
and limestone bluffs. Springs and spring-runs are the focal points of this water management area and provide a wide variety of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy.    

In October, 2018, Hurricane Michael heavily impacted a significant portion of the Econfina Creek Water Management Area including the creek basin shown here at Walsingham Bridge. This photo station will help us document the long-term recovery of the Econfina Creek Water Management Area following Hurricane Michael.      

Econfina Creek View at Walsingham Rec Site

Located within the Econfina Creek Water Management Area, sandhill communities like this once covered a significant portion of the southeastern United States stretching from Virginia to Texas. This specific sandhill site is being utilized as a wiregrass donor
site to help restore native groundcover species within the Econfina Creek Water Management Area.  

Wiregrasses and other fine fuels are beneficial in carrying
frequent, low-intensity fires which are critical in reducing competing
hardwoods and other vegetation and promoting species diversity.  

Sandhill was historically widespread on well-drained sands
throughout the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain and was once a major part of an extensive mosaic of natural communities dominated by longleaf pines.  

The longleaf pine ecosystem has experienced a 98-percent decline
in acreage throughout its range, and is considered critically endangered (Noss et al. 1995; Stein et al. 2000). From 1936 to 1995, Florida experienced a 90-percent decline in longleaf pinelands due to conversion to pine plantations, development, and agriculture (Kautz 1998).   

Florida Trail- Kammer Wiregrass Restoration Site

The E. Guy Revell, Jr. Nature Trail Conservation Area was acquired in 2020 and is located in Wakulla County, Florida. The District is conducting longleaf pine restoration on approximately 40 acres of the property. Planting of the longleaf pine and wiregrass is scheduled to occur in January 2023. This project was acquired for the protection of the Wakulla Springs watershed and includes multiple karst features through the trail system.

Northwest Florida Water Management District

Florida

4 chronologs managed by Northwest Florida Water Management District

Econfina Rd- Sandhill Restoration South of Rattlesnake Lake

Econfina Creek View at Walsingham Rec Site

Florida Trail- Kammer Wiregrass Restoration Site

E. Guy Revell, Jr. Nature Trail Conservation Area

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