Note - This is a corrected version of the August Field Notes sent earlier today, which included an incorrect acreage number and graphic.

ACT Protects 54 Acres of Land Near

Worthington Springs in Union County   

Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) has directly purchased 54 acres of land along the upper part of the Santa Fe River in Union County, Florida. The property, purchased from the Rimes Family, will become part of ACT's Santa Fe River Preserve system of protected lands. Funding for this project was provided by the River Branch Foundation and private donors. ACT also received donations from the public during the Amazing Give campaign in April 2025.

The land includes large, intact bottomland forest along the upper reaches of the Santa Fe River, which is one of the largest rivers in North Florida and home to many freshwater springs. The Santa Fe River is also the largest tributary to the Suwannee River. Protection of the property safeguards habitat for imperiled species, like the threatened alligator snapping turtle and various rare species of mussels.

Rounding Out the Prairie: A Tuscawilla Addition

Several years in the making, ACT has added a little over 10 acres to the 600-acre Tuscawilla Preserve in Micanopy.  Tuscawilla is a large wet prairie with adjacent mesic forests, small creeks, and many small pools beloved by wading birds. The recent addition is primarily a hardwood hammock that is a mix of live oak, southern magnolia, hickories, and cabbage palms. Conserving this land will buffer the prairie from development encroachment and give wildlife areas to retreat to during high water periods on the prairie.

ACT’s discussion with the landowner began in 2017, shortly after the landowner purchased the property. A Floridian, she wanted to relocate to Micanopy when she retired, but also wanted to see the majority of the property conserved. Those discussions continued over the years, and finally, in early 2025, ACT was able to work out an agreement with the landowner to sell a portion of her property that abuts Tuscawilla Preserve.  

While relatively small in size, the remaining undeveloped lands around Tuscawilla Preserve and ACT’s other preserves across North Central Florida are high-priority conservation projects. With more and more people resettling in inland Florida, conserving lands around existing conservation lands has never been more important.  

“We live in a wonderful, conservation-oriented community that recognizes the value of protecting our natural areas and waters,” said Tom Kay, ACT's Executive Director. “Our community knows that by conserving places like these that we are not only benefiting the water resources that we rely on for safe drinking water and recreational purposes, but we are also keeping important cultural and historical resources intact that ensure the rural character of small towns like Micanopy lives on for generations to come.” 

This project was made possible with the generous support of many ACT supporters and a late member of ACT’s Hard Saving Society.

Photo by Kim Davidson

Celebrating a Bright Future: Meet Our Scholarship Stars

Introducing the recipients of ACT's Florida Wild For All Scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year! We're proud to recognize this year’s scholarship winners and honorable mentions for their dedication and potential:

• Angel Rodriguez

• Helen Tarrau

• Krish Sejpal

• Rebecca Giner

• Ja'Oni Ke'Jaria Kincade

• Kimberly NeSmith

The Florida Wild for All Scholarship supports students of color pursuing careers in natural resources or environmental protection in Florida. Follow along for updates about upcoming scholarship cycles.

Diving In with the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards

Over 25 young adults from all across North Central Florida recently completed ACT's 3-day Young Leaders for Wild Florida summit.

Participants began the summit by removing invasive algae from a spring in Marion County and learning more about ACT's role in local conservation efforts, alongside a representative from Waterlust. This certified B-Corp apparel company focuses on environmental advocacy and education, and sponsored this year's summit!

The days were filled with engaging discussions, educational workshops, and rewarding workdays, and concluded with a visit to the Santa Fe Caves and a local spring.

YLWF is a donation-based program where campers pay what they can to attend. For more information or to learn how you can support the program, visit our website.

Featured Event

Weekly Walk & Talk at Santa Fe River Preserve (Main Entrance)

Friday, September 5, 2025, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Join ACT staff and volunteers for a guided hike at Santa Fe River Preserve (Main Entrance).

Volunteer Work Day: Santa Fe Springs Preserve

Saturday, September 6, 2025, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Join ACT for a cleanup event at Santa Fe Springs Preserve. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and see the preserve before it opens to the public.

Weekly Walk & Talk at Santa Fe River Preserve (South Entrance)

Friday, September 12, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Join ACT staff and volunteers for a guided hike at Santa Fe River Preserve (South Entrance).

Weekly Walk & Talk at Fox Pen Preserve

Friday, September 19, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Join ACT staff and volunteers for a guided hike at Fox Pen Preserve.

Volunteer Work Day: Bubbe's Secret Garden

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Join ACT for a volunteer workday of weeding and projects around the property.

Weekly Walk & Talk at Tuscawilla Preserve

Friday, September 26, 2025, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Join ACT staff and volunteers for a guided hike at Tuscawilla Preserve.

Morning Bug Walk at Tuscawilla Preserve

Friday, September 28, 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Join Dr. Jiri Hulcr and Dr. Andrea Lucky for this family-friendly bug ID event at Tuscawilla Preserve!

You make conservation possible! 

Thank you for donating your time, money, and energy to making ACT's work a success.

Please donate today - or consider including ACT in your estate planning - to save wild spaces, train the next generation of land stewards, and open up new public preserves to your community.



THANK YOU!