May 19, 2021
FREE CUSCOWILLA DAY CAMP
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Cuscowilla (formerly Camp McConnell, 210 S.E. 134th Avenue. Micanopy) has begun registering children from second to eighth grade for summer day camps. The summer day camps are Monday through Friday, starting on June 21, 2021. Thanks to a grant from the Children’s Trust of Alachua County and fundraising efforts from the Friends of Cuscowilla, the 2021 summer camp season will be free of charge.

Camper drop-off is from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and pick-up is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

“Day Camp is the perfect opportunity to get comfortable at camp,” says Cuscowilla Manager Lexi Green. “From archery to canoeing, interactive education to silly songs, we strive to create a memorable experience that allows your young person to develop relationships, experience achievement, and create a sense of belonging. Each week is different from the last, so come for a week or stay for the entire summer.”
Alachua County Celebrates Emancipation Day and Juneteenth
Alachua County is partnering with the City of Gainesville to co-sponsor several events during the City of Gainesville’s month-long "Journey to Juneteenth" celebration. The events occur through May and June, leading up to Juneteenth on June 19, 2021. They are all free and open to the public.

While Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of emancipation, freedom was proclaimed in Florida on May 20, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the proclamation. One month later, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were free.
Art Exhibition Celebrates Black Artists in Alachua County
The Alachua County Community Remembrance Project (AACRP) and the Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA) present “Umoja: A Celebration of Black Artists in Alachua County.” The Exhibition will be on view at GFAA Gallery (1314 South Main Street, Gainesville) from May 25 through June 19, 2021, with an in-person reception on May 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors can expect a variety of mediums, including sculpture, ceramics, painting, and photography in the exhibit as well as an immersive experience with talks from members of the ACCRP and local artists, music, and food trucks. There is parking at the Winn-Dixie parking lot next door, and the gallery is wheelchair accessible. All are invited and welcome to join this celebration of Black Art and Artists living and working in the community. 

The GFAA Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donation of Land Adds Protection to Santa Fe River
Alachua County has received a major donation of land on the Santa Fe River from Dr. Dale A. and Helen C. Lundgren. The property will be managed under the Alachua County Forever program and will add permanent protection to the Santa Fe River.

The 236-acre Lundgren property was a joint gift by the Lundgrens to Alachua County, Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT), and Conservation Florida, two local land trusts. ACT and Conservation Florida were granted a conservation easement over the property before ownership was transferred to the County. The donors requested this arrangement to ensure that their beloved property would remain undeveloped, further protecting their conservation legacy.
Donation of Land Expands the Watermelon Pond Preserve
The Watermelon Pond area in southwestern Alachua County hosts a diverse mix of sandhills, hardwood hammocks, and wet prairies that support a wide range of native species. Alachua County’s holdings to preserve these ecological resources have recently grown thanks to a generous donation of land by Pierre and Nancy Warny.

Protecting reptiles and amphibians and the landscape they depend on has been a long-time passion of the Warnys. Their commitment led to the purchase of 80 acres adjacent to the Ashton Biological house Preserve in 2000. The intact natural communities were ideal for the study and conservation of their species of interest. In 2002, the property was placed on the Alachua County Forever active acquisition list to purchase a conservation easement, similar to the easement the County holds on the Ashton Biological Preserve.
Emergency Medical Services Week
​Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) is proud to announce that May 16, through May 22, 2021, is the 46th annual National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. President Gerald Ford started this tradition as a way to recognize the selfless work that our first responders provide. The 2021 EMS Week theme is “Caring for Our Communities.”
National Bike Safety Month Safety Tips Extension Programs
​May is National Bike Safety Month and Alachua County Public Works would like to help residents celebrate safely by sharing a few tips to avoid common accidents.
Health Officials Issue Rabies Alert
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County issued a rabies alert for Northeast Gainesville in the Ironwood Golf Club area. This is in response to a stray cat that tested positive on Friday, May 14, 2021. The rabies alert is for 60 days.
Alachua County Historical Commission Vacancy
​The Alachua County Historical Commission (ACHC) has one Citizen-at-Large vacancy. County residents with a knowledge of local history are encouraged to apply, and the County Commission will make the appointments. The application deadline is May 23. Those persons with recent applications on file will be considered. ACHC meetings are typically held at 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. At this time, in-person quorums are required, so new applicants should be able to attend in person.
Environmental Protection Advisory Committee Vacancies
The Alachua County Commission seeks applications to fill openings on the Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (EPAC). EPAC currently meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Environmental Protection Department Conference Room A, located in the Seagle Building (408 W. University Avenue, Gainesville). 
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Code Webinar
​The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program invite Homeowner Association (HOA) representatives and homeowners that live in communities with HOAs to a live webinar on Thursday, May 20, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Attendees will learn about changes to Alachua County Codes, the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping, and strategies for working together to install Florida-Friendly landscapes.
Rural Concerns Advisory Committee Vacancy
Alachua County is seeking applicants to fill a current vacancy on the Rural Concerns Advisory Committee for the position of member from the Farm Bureau. The County Commission established the Committee in 2003 to provide guidance and advice to the Board regarding rural concerns and issues in Alachua County. They generally meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.