Havana, FL –Some of the world’s rarest aquatic and terrestrial habitats will be preserved in the Apalachicola River floodplain north of Bristol following action taken this week. The Northwest Florida Water Management Governing Board approved a $3.6 million purchase of 1,350.7 acres, including three miles of river front.
“This is a gem we have wanted to protect for decades,” said Douglas E. Barr, District Executive Director. “It is commercial forest property that has escaped extensive timber harvesting, riverside development and excessive dredge spoil impacts and is one of the most ecologically diverse and significant natural riverine corridors in North America. It is a treasure of rare and endemic species that will be managed in its natural condition for our children’s children.”The Apalachicola River is Florida’s first in flow and features the state’s largest forested floodplain, with an adjacent botanical Eden that mixes northern and southern plants. The upper Aplachicola watershed boasts the highest density of amphibian and reptilian species north of Mexico and its upland ravines are home to eight plant species found nowhere else. It is home to the blighted Florida Torreya tree, which no longer reproduces in the wild, as well as 34 rare plant and 16 animal species and 135 listed species, including the Florida black bear.
“Some of these species migrated south during the last glaciation and their nearest cousins are in northern Georgia,” said William O. “Bill” Cleckley, Director of the District’s Division of Lands Management and Acquisition. “These endemic plant and wildlife species thrive in several unique steephead stream systems that extend to adjoining property of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, as well as on slope forest habitats on both District and TNC property.”
Steepheads are hydrologic formations characterized by perpetual seepage springs that have a constant groundwater temperature, creating a climactic refuge. They carve steep ravines in ancient dunes of a prehistoric seashore and contain four ecosystems—streams, wetlands, hardwood slope forests and dry upper-slope forests.
The Apalachicola River and Bay is the District’s number one priority for Surface Water Improvement and Management. This has included participating in tri-state negotiations to protect natural systems, sustain the river’s natural flow regime and establish equitable water sharing among Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The District has also expended substantial funds and efforts to address pollution problems, restore natural systems, correct and prevent surface water problems and restore hydrology in Tate’s Hell State Forest, which drains to Apalachicola Bay.
The adjoining TNC property features the Garden of Eden trail where hikers may wend through steepheads, such as those which extend to the District parcel. These are biological hot spots of Florida Torreya (also known as gopher wood), Florida Yew, Ash magnolia and the endemic Apalachicola dusky salamander. The District will open the parcel to public recreation that is compatible with protection of the ecosystem.
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Digital images are available by emailing Faith.Eidse@nwfwmd.state.fl.us
Caption:
The District’s recent Apalachicola River corridor purchase includes portions of several rare steepheads.
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