Savannas Preserve State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Savannas Preserve State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
|
|
 |
|
 Savannas Preserve State Park
Location in Florida
|
|
| Location | St. Lucie County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie and Jensen Beach, Florida |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Savannas Preserve State Park is a special state park located along the Atlantic Coast of Florida. It stretches between the cities of Fort Pierce and Jensen Beach. This park is a fantastic place to explore nature and learn about Florida's unique wildlife. It even has a group of young helpers called the Junior Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park!
Contents
What is a Savanna?
Savannas Preserve State Park is mostly a savanna. A savanna is like a big, open grassland with only a few trees scattered around. Here, you'll see tall grasses and thin slash pine trees. It's a very unique type of habitat!
Exploring the Park's Habitats
This park protects over 7,000 acres of land. It's home to many different kinds of natural areas. You can find pine flatwoods, which are forests with pine trees. There are also basin marshes, which are wet, grassy areas. Other parts include scrubby flatwoods, wet prairies, and the Atlantic scrub ridge. These different areas make the park a home for many plants and animals.
Amazing Animals of the Savannas
The Savannas Preserve State Park is a safe place for many animals. Some of the most special ones include the threatened Florida scrub jay. This bird is only found in Florida. You might also spot the gopher tortoise, which is a turtle that digs long tunnels. Look out for the American alligator in the water. The tall sandhill crane can also be seen walking through the wetlands.
Unique Plants of the Savannas
Besides amazing animals, the park has very rare plants. One plant, called the savannas mint, grows only in this park in the entire world! Another endangered plant found here is the fragrant prickly-apple. This is a type of cactus that is very special.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
There are many ways to enjoy the Savannas Preserve State Park. You can go fishing in certain areas. If you like horses, there's a special entrance for horseback riding. Biking is also allowed, but some sandy trails can make it a bit tricky. The park has nearly 13 miles (21 km) of public trails. These trails are great for walking and exploring the park's beauty.
Learning at the Education Center
The Savannas Education Center is a great place to start your visit. It has live exhibits where you can see some of the park's creatures up close. There's also a gift shop and booklets for self-guided tours. You can learn a lot about Florida's State Parks here. The Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park, a helpful group, also offers guided tours and trips by canoe or kayak.
Where to Find the Park
The main entrance to Savannas Preserve State Park is located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34952.
