NPS - National Park Service

05/02/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/02/2023 11:25

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve conserves over 100 acres on Black Hammock Island

Date:
May 2, 2023
Contact:Steven Kidd, 904-805-7510

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve recently completed the purchase of over 100 acres of undeveloped property on Black Hammock Island in Jacksonville, FL.

The park partnered with Trust for Public Land to purchase the tract, which together with another 241 acres recently conveyed to Florida as part of the Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park just north of and adjacent to the NPS parcels, will ensure that this area will remain in conservation with public access guaranteed. The City of Jacksonville also provided funding support for this important acquisition.

Timucuan Superintendent Chris Hughes stressed the importance of acquiring these parcels saying, "These areas will now be protected for future generations. The City of Jacksonville, North Florida Land Trust, Trust for Public Land and Florida State Park partners that along with the National Park Service comprise the 7 Creeks Recreation Area will certainly benefit from these additional acres. Adding these parcels would link the existing parks in the 7 Creeks Recreation Area to provide an uninterrupted habitat for wildlife, vegetation, protection and enjoyment of the natural and cultural resources.

"One of the last unspoiled coastal hammock and marshlands on the Atlantic coast, Black Hammock Island is beloved by locals for hiking, birding canoeing, and fishing but has been at risk for development," said Doug Hattaway, Senior Project Manager for Trust for Public Land. "Trust for Public Land has been working for years to ensuring this land not only remains untouched and open to everyone who loves to get outside but protects it as a crucial landscape in creating climate resilience against extreme weather events like hurricanes, warmer weather, and rising sea levels."

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

About Trust for Public LandTrust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,364 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $93 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.4 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.