The Nature Conservancy's Newest Preserve Opens in Florida
February 22, 2006
The Conservancy’s newest preserve, Machaba Balu in Florida, opened this past Sunday, February 19, 2006, with an event honoring local supporters and welcoming new ones. The 10,000-acre Machaba Balu Preserve is a collection of islands, salt marshes and uplands located between the St. Johns River and Nassau Sound. It will be managed in partnership with the National Park Service.
The celebration included a dedication ceremony over-looking the preserve, free boat tours of the islands, live music, food vendors and booths featuring the Conservancy's science and land management work.
The preserve was made possible through a generous gift to the Florida capital campaign, which closed at the end of 2002. Machaba Balu's network of marshes and islands supports many rare plants and animals, including roseate spoonbills, wood storks, painted buntings, manatees and sea turtles.
Here, 77 small marsh islands and maritime hammocks appear today much as they did in ancient times. The preserve was named Machaba Balu, which means “preserved marsh" in the Timucuan Indian language, as a tribute to the cultural and historical significance of the preserve’s location.
Machaba Balu lies within the boundaries of the city of Jacksonville, home to the largest municipal park system in the nation. Nearly one-third of its parklands have been acquired with the Conservancy’s help.
The Conservancy will continue to partner with the city, the National Park Service and state agencies to restore Machaba Balu, protect critical lands and waters, and promote sound management of these resources.
For More Information:
- Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Florida
The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 1.1 million acres of critical natural lands in Florida.
- Places We Protect: Machaba Balu Preserve
Machaba Balu Preserve look much the same today as they did over four hundred years ago when Europeans first settled here. It protects approximately 10,000 acres of tidal salt marsh and 77 maritime hammock, pine and shell islands ranging in size from less than a half acre to 30 acres.
- Press Release: Machaba Balu Preserve to Open This Sunday (Feb. 19)
Conservancy to debut islands and marshes preserve as a “Last Great Place” of northeast Florida.
- How You Can Help: Donate Online to Support Our Efforts
Your online donation helps us to protect great places in Florida.
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.
