Legacy Property at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

The initial 2,860 acres of the park was purchased in 1986 in order to preserve several outstanding natural and cultural features. In addition to surrounding one of the world’s largest and deepest springs, the forest holds a number of old growth trees, including virgin bald cypress, some ranging from 400-600 years old, as well as more than a dozen past and current state and national champion trees. The park contains 12 distinct natural communities within the Gulf Coastal Lowlands. Approximately 42% of this area is Upland Hardwood Forest with some of the oldest and most beautiful American beech-southern magnolia climax forest to be found in the South. Approximately 43% of this area is Upland Pine Forest which has previously seen disturbance in the way of fire exclusion, turpentining, logging and agricultural practices. Since 1986, however, park staff have promoted natural growth, prescribed fire and some planting of longleaf pine seedlings. The remaining area is comprised of springs, sinks, river, sloughs, floodplain swamps, and floodplain forests.

After the damage caused during Hurricane Michael and the decimation of the old growth hardwood forests in nearby State Parks like Torreya, Florida Caverns, and Three Rivers, it makes what we have left at Wakulla that much more important to recognize and protect.