Alachua County’s Mill Creek Preserve (14505 N.W. CR 236, Alachua) is closing temporarily on Friday, May 19, 2017, for approximately one month. As part of the ongoing management and natural community restoration of the preserve, a timber thinning is planned in and near the public use areas of the Preserve. For public safety reasons, the preserve will be closed while heavy equipment is on site for the timber thinning operation.
Thinning of dense pine stands is an important part of the ecological restoration of the preserve. It improves forest health, reduces excess fuels to lessen the risk of severe wildfire, creates better habitat for wildlife, and increases water recharge of aquifers by allowing more water to reach the forest floor and removing trees that utilize that water. Proceeds from the timber harvest are used for management and improvement of the preserve.
View before and after photos of what the timber thinning will look like.
For more information, contact Alachua County Parks and Conservation Lands’ Kelly McPherson at 352-264-6800.