Week #3

January 25^th, 2013

My trip to Myakka River State Park was such a nice treat. I had never been before but was glad to go. I noticed right before I turned in to the park how the landscape changed. It almost felt like the plains of Africa or something.

I walked about 2-3 miles and on my way observed tons of acreage of palmettos (which I noticed many covered the ground. Perhaps were still in their infancy of growing), oaks covered in Spanish moss and ferns. Then suddenly the landscaped changed and I could sense this particular area had water in the ground. There were reeds and chutes all over and the vegetation was lush and green. Sure enough, I look out at there was a small pond with birds in it and I followed it back up to the reeds in front of me and I could see the water everywhere. My deduction was correct! The scenery changed back to dense forest again and as I hit the end of the tree line there was the first river meander I saw. I continued to walk and crossed over the first bridge and saw HUGE alligators sunning themselves on the bank. I continued further and the forest engulfed me once again and I came to my first nature trail. I was not expecting a view structure at all, especially one so big. But I headed up and was pleased that I could reach out and touch the trees and ferns growing on them. I enjoyed watching the landscape change from acres of forests, to empty glens, marshes, rivers, and back!

The Civilian Conservation Corps developed Myakka in 1934. Florida EPA manages the park however the staff on duty participates in removal of invasive plant species, as well as burning the Cogongrass. I also saw on my way up the Canopy Walkway that many donors and volunteers help continue with preservation and stewardship for the park as well.

To me, it seems quite obvious that like-minded folks have been providing monetary and physical efforts toward the preservation of this park for the last 80 years. To me, volition is key. People who find value in preserving nature will do what it takes and along the way find others who feel mutually and become a powerful, driving force behind restoring and protecting wildlife areas such as this.

I had no idea how special and sought after this park was (and I’ve lived here almost 5 years!) and how many people come to see it each day. All the efforts and money put in to preserving this park are immense. Evidently this park harbors “dry prairies” which are quite rare (again, I had no idea) and through intense efforts have been preserved and are now thriving from it. I expect this park to be here for a long, long time. The surrounding area outside of the park is filled with enough gated communities!