Hillsborough County, Fla. (July 2, 2026) - Hillsborough County residents are invited to give their opinions on the best way to manage Alderman's Ford Nature Preserve for the next decade.
Alderman's Ford Nature Preserve, 8911 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City, FL 33567, is part of the South Hillsborough Wildlife Corridor, a network of protected lands in Hillsborough County that creates connected habitat for wildlife and protects natural resources like the Alafia River.
The preserve features native vegetation and serves as valuable habitat for numerous animals, including Florida sandhill cranes and gopher tortoises. A natural spring and the Alafia River flow through the preserve, which also includes an equestrian trail and a 2.5-mile hiking trail.
Portions of the preserve had been converted into pasture by previous owners. The management plan prioritizes habitat protection and restoration.
Hillsborough County Conservation & Environmental Lands Management must update the preserve's management plan every 10 years, and the public is encouraged to comment before the plan is formally adopted.
Public Engagement Opportunity
The County will conduct a virtual engagement using the Hillsborough Engagement & Education Hub to collect feedback from the public on the preserve's management plan. Comment for this project is open until Aug. 4. Visit HCFL.gov/HCEngage to participate.
In addition, a public meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at Alderman's Ford Conservation Park, 100 Alderman Ford Park Dr., Lithia, FL 33547.