Silver Springs Conservation Area

The Silver Springs Conservation Area was purchased by the State of Florida in May 2005 as part of the Florida Forever Program through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Bureau of Land Acquisition. This 330-acre property was the largest intact, undeveloped, privately-owned tract adjacent to Silver Springs, a first magnitude spring. The property is in an area of springs, which are discharged from the Floridian Aquifer within the Silver Springs watershed and was purchased to help protect our ground water and Silver Springs by preserving this sensitive water recharge site. The property was acquired for the express goals of preserving and protecting land around the spring and Floridan Aquifer from the effects of commercial, residential and agricultural runoff; clear cutting and mining and unsupervised recreation.

The State of Florida subsequently entered into a lease with Marion County to manage the property through the Marion County Parks and Recreation department, to protect the property’s natural resources and to provide resource-based recreational opportunities.

The conservation area consists of three types of natural communities: Sandhill, Upland Mixed Forest and Wet Prairie. Whitetail deer, Sherman’s fox squirrel, gopher tortoise, black racer, yellow rat snake, northern cardinal, towhee and pileated woodpeckers are commonly seen.

This nature park offers dirt parking and nature trails.

AMENITIES:
Dog-friendly (leash required)
Hiking/Walking
Wildlife