Mattair Springs facts for kids
Mattair Springs is a cool, natural spring located in northeastern Suwannee County, Florida. It's part of a large, protected natural area that covers about 1,188 acres. This special place is managed by the Suwannee River Water Management District. They work to protect Florida's water and natural lands.
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Exploring Mattair Springs
Mattair Springs is a great place to explore nature. The land here has different types of forests and habitats. You can find "upland mixed forests" which have many kinds of trees. There are also "pine plantations" where pine trees are grown. Some areas are "sandhills," which are sandy hills with unique plants. The sandhill areas are being restored to make them healthy again.
Camp Branch: A Nearby Natural Area
Close to Mattair Springs is a smaller area called Camp Branch. It covers about 200 acres. Camp Branch also has interesting habitats. These include "slope forests" on hillsides and "xeric hammocks," which are dry, shady areas. You can also find "bottom land forests" near rivers or wetlands. Like Mattair Springs, it has sandhill habitats too.
Amazing Plants and Animals
Mattair Springs and Camp Branch are home to many different animals. Keep an eye out for the slow-moving gopher tortoise and the Suwannee cooter, a type of turtle. You might also spot deer, wild turkeys, and squirrels. The area also has special plants like the hooded pitcher plant, which is a unique insect-eating plant. You can also find cedar elm trees growing here.
Fun Activities at the Preserve
Mattair Springs offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. There are two special trails just for horses. One is a "perimeter trail" that goes around the edge of the property, marked with white diamonds. The other is an "interior trail" marked with yellow diamonds.
Besides horse riding, you can also:
- Watch for wildlife
- Go hiking on the trails
- Ride your bicycle on the trails and administrative roads
It's a wonderful place to connect with nature and see Florida's natural beauty!
