News
Preserve adds kiosks
KIM DAME
Published: November 9, 2012
SPRING HILL - Cooler weather and outdoor exploring go hand in hand. And living on the Nature Coast, residents are given a wide range of opportunities to do just that.Published: November 9, 2012
In fact, the Weekiwachee Preserve, located in northern Hernando County, is one opportunity for visitors to experience a natural habitat, preserved in its original beauty.
The Weekiwachee Preserve boasts countless trails, habitats, wildlife and recreation in its "regional system of conservation lands."
But now, Southwest Florida Water Management District, who manages the preserve, is making the experience even easier than ever to navigate for visitors.
The district recently added several kiosks with updated trail maps and other information, including handheld maps that can be by taken by visitors.
"We never had those before," said Robyn Felix, the communications manager at Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Felix said many of the trail signs and markings have been recently redone and are reflected on the new maps.
"Anywhere that the trails intercept," said Felix, "there are now GPS coordinates at the intersections." These coordinates are also reflected on the updated maps.
Felix explained that the purpose for the changes was to simplify and enhance the experience.
"We are really trying to get more information out to the public when they come out to visit our lands," she said.
The kiosks also will act as a resource center for information.
"We want to provide education about why we purchase land for their under water resource value," Felix added.
Each month during the winter, information will change, educating the public on different aspects of conservation land.
"We want to educate the public on why purchase the land, how we manage the land such as doing controlled burns and really just want to educate people about the importance of conservation land and how they can help," she said.
The Weekiwachee Preserve is just one of several district owned or managed properties in the three-county area that have received these improvements.
The Weekiwachee Preserve is known for miles of Weeki Wachee River frontage, dense hardwood swamps, fresh and salt-water marshes and pine-covered sandhills. It also is famous for its large population of black bears that freely roam the property.
"The new maps will help guide visitors through the property," said Carmen Sanders, the district's land use and protection supervisor.
"The GPS coordinates will correspond with numbered trail intersections and make it easier for visitors to pinpoint their exact location," Sander said.