Spruce Up The Swamp

Leave a leafy legacy; join us for Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve's annual planting event! We'll be planting pine seedlings and native groundcover species to help increase native plant diversity and restore the preserve's pine flatwoods habitat.

This 12,800 acre nature preserve in the northeastern corner of Hillsborough County boasts almost 20 miles of open, sunny hiking and equestrian trails. Formerly known as Cone Ranch and Audubon Ranch, this land was managed by the County's Public Utilities Water Department from 1988 to 2010, when it was transferred as part of the County's Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP).

Since then, multiple on-going restoration projects have helped to improve the preserve's hydrology and assisted in the re-establishment of more natural habitat. The preserve's wetlands and pine flatwoods areas provide homes for many species of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, Southern fox squirrels, wood storks, and barred owls.

You can be a part of this restoration by joining in to "Spruce up the Swamp!"

Things to know

• This event is free, but you MUST register
• Follow the signs straight down the driveway into the preserve and park at the office trailer
• Minimum age to participate: 10
• An adult must accompany any participants under 18
• Maximum participants: 20
• No alcohol allowed
• Plan to get dirty planting pines and restoring the preserve

Things to bring

Required:

• Closed-toe shoes
• Water in refillable container
• Work gloves

Recommended:

• Bug spray
• Hat
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Snacks
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Change of clothes
• Personal tools

Registration

Registration is required for this event.

Contact

For more information email Rebecca Winch or call (813) 210-7019.