Pop Ash Creek Preserve |
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Pop Ash Creek Preserve is located at 9451 Nalle Grade Road, North Fort Myers,
in northern Lee County about 3 miles north of Bayshore Road and less than 4
miles east of I-75. It is in the western half of Section 03, Township 43 South,
Range 25 East. The site is bordered by Nalle Grade Road to the south, Nalle
Road to the east, Lee-Charlotte County boundary line to the north and a drainage
canal adjacent to numerous five acre ranchettes to the west.
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The Preserve consists of both human-altered and natural plant communities that
are mostly wet or mesic flatwoods and a portion of a blackwater stream (Popash
Creek). Along the northern portion of Popash Creek, which was previously
dredged, a lone pop ash tree (Fraxinus caroliniana) survives adjacent to larger
Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana) and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)
trees. Past land uses and hydrologic modifications have disturbed about 90% of
the Preserve |
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| Restoration Activites: |
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| Grant funding awarded in 2006 by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuaries Program provided initial melaleuca treatment on 65 acres of the site. Melaleuca on portions of the site were treated by staff (mowed, burned or treated with herbicide). Additional portions of the site will be treated during the 2006-2007 dry season. Grant funding awarded in 2006 by the Bureau of Invasive Plant Management Division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will provide initial melaleuca for the remainder of the preserve. Work will be conducted during the 2006-2007 dry season. |
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| Recreation Opportunties: Hiking, Bird Watching, Nature Study/Photography, Equestrian use |
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| Beyond the opportunities avalible at ever C20/20 preserve Pop Ash Creek Preserve also offers opportunities for horseback riding. Currently there are no public amenities at the site however plans exist for a small parking area (see Land Stewardship Plan for more information). |
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Photos: |
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