Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve

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The Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve is a 4,933-acre (1,996 ha) preserve located in Hillsborough County, Florida. It was purchased through joint funding from the County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) and the State of Florida’s Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program. It has a large area of undisturbed upland habitat that it contains, especially the rare scrub habitat. Natural habitats within the site include sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammock, wet prairie, freshwater marsh, cypress swamp, and hardwood swamp.

Many protected species of plants and animals have been documented on the site, including Florida golden aster, Curtiss’ Milkweed, Eastern indigo snake, Sherman's fox squirrel, Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis), Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus), and gopher tortoise.

The 971-acre (393 ha) Triple Creek Preserve adjoins Balm-Boyette Scrub’s north boundary. Just over 2 miles (3.2 km) of hiking trails have been added here linking to the Balm-Boyette trail. In the future, a second parking area will be added at the “Deuces R Wild” gate at 13299 Balm-Boyette Rd. The area got its name from the three creeks that run through portions of the property—Bell Creek, Boggy Creek, and Fish Hawk Creek, all of which flow into the Alafia River. The preserve has a mix of wetland and upland habitat types, including pine flat- woods, wetland forests, and improved pasture areas. It is home to many rare species of plants and animals including flakelet fern and grass- pink orchids.

Triple Creek was jointly purchased by ELAPP and the Florida Communities Trust (FCT).

References

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