Prairie / Shell Creek

A nature reserve in Punta Gorda.

A nature reserve in Punta Gorda.

A nature reserve in Punta Gorda.

A nature reserve in Punta Gorda.

This nonprofit manages environmentally sensitive lands with trails & provides educational programs.

The wide open vistas of this Wildlife Management Area create a scenic backdrop for a range of outdoor pursuits. This area is open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, except access to the campground is allowed anytime camping is allowed and public access is allowed at anytime during the raccoon and opossum season.

This 80.4-acre preserve is located along the northern section of Buck Creek on the Cape Haze Peninsula. The entire preserve is compromised of native habitat, predominantly scrubby flatwoods and mesic pine flatwoods. These flatwoods transition into coastal hammock and mangrove swamp along Buck Creek, which flows into Lemon Bay-an aquatic preserve and outstanding Florida water. The uplands on the site exhibit signs of fire suppression and many areas are succeeding into mesic oak and xeric hammocks. Mechanical restoration strategies enable the property to be restored to historical natural conditions.

A park at 27420 Voyageur Dr in Punta Gorda.