game. Fishing and tent camping are also allowed on the land.
Allapattah is a Seminole word for alligator. With its mosaic
of small wetlands that dot the landscape, the property holds
true to its name, for on a recent trip there, I saw several alligators.
Allapattah Flats is indeed teeming with wildlife. During
my two-hour tour of the land, I saw birds such as wood storks,
wood ducks, sandhill cranes, crested caracara, meadow larks,
kestrels, and a swallow-tailed kite to name a few. I also saw
gar fish in the 85-acre Cottage Lake, which is actually a shallow
marsh, and
a black racer
snake nearby.
Hydric
hammocks,
which are open
forests dominated
by cabbage
palms and laurel
oaks mixed
with red maple,
water oak and
several species
of ferns, are also
found on the
property. In the
hammocks, I
discovered resurrection
fern growing alongside bromeliad air plants on the
limbs of old oaks. Also in the hammock, I spied a zebra longwing
butterfly. Out in the pine flatwoods, I saw a pawpaw
shrub and heard a pileated woodpecker.
In the next year, the district and commission will open
equestrian trails and will extend the hunting to include large
game such as deer and turkey. In the meantime, much work
still needs to be done to improve the habitat of this valuable
Indian River Lagoon watershed. As district project manager
Beth Kacvinsky said, “It took 50 years for the land to be
drained and converted to ranching, and it will take another 50
to restore it.” Both the lagoon and the Everglades will be better
off for it.
Camille S. Yates’ Wild Side column explores the unique natural areas
and wildlife in the Indian River Lagoon region.
WILD SIDE
What a Nautical Idea!
SUMMER SAILING FOR KIDS 8-13
Call 772.332.1732
www.tcysf.homestead.com
Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation
Tuesday-BOAT LAGOON
Saturday
TOURS
9
HOW TO GET THERE:
Allapattah Flats Natural is west of Stuart
in northern Martin County. It is off of
Martin Highway or County Road 714 three
miles west of I-95, exit 110. For more
information, call 772.597.3474. For a Web
site link, visit IRMAzine.com and click on
this story.
ACTIVITIES:
• Hiking
• Bicycling
• Small-game
hunting
• Tent camping
• Bird watching
2-Week Sessions
June 4-Aug. 3
$195 Per Session
Scholarships Available
CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS
SPONSORED BY FORT PIERCE YACHT CLUB
Manatee Observation
& Education Center
Visit the Vanishing Mermaid Gift Shop at the
Manatee Observation and Education Center
…for a wide selection of gift
ideas for all occasions.
480 N. Indian River Drive • Historic Downtown Fort Pierce
772-460-6445
Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary!
Graphic by Eric Zelinski
/www.tcysf.homestead.com
/IRMAzine.com