Tree Hill Nature Center facts for kids
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| Motto | "Teaching Stewardship Naturally" |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1971 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Legal status | Corporation |
| Purpose | Nature preserve |
| Headquarters | 7152 Lone Star Road |
| Location | |
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Region served
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Jacksonville metropolitan area |
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Executive Director
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Mark Mummaw |
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Main organ
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Board of Directors |
| Website | www.treehill.org |
The Tree Hill Nature Center is a special place in Jacksonville, Florida. It's a non-profit group and a wild area that helps people learn about nature. Its main goal is to teach visitors about the natural world around Jacksonville.
This land was bought to protect a wild area in the city. It has many sensitive plants and animals. The park first opened its doors in 1971. The organization has also helped save other land and create more parks in Jacksonville.
Contents
Exploring the Land at Tree Hill
How Tree Hill Grew
The first part of Tree Hill was 40 acres. In 1975, the state of Florida bought most of this land. It was then managed by a state board. This board includes Florida's Governor and other state leaders.
Later, in 1998, the city bought 10 more acres. This land used to be a place called Lone Star Stables. The city got a special grant to buy it.
Building the Park
Making the park ready happened in three steps. The first step started in 2002. Workers cleaned up the land and put up fences. They also checked the environment and made a plan for the park.
In 2004, the city gave money to finish this first step. The park also got a grant to build an outdoor theater. This money also paid for plants, parking, and new trails. These trails have special spots to learn along the way. Work on the theater roof, restrooms, and storage areas began in 2006.
Tree Hill's Story
The land called "Tree Hill" was for sale in 1970. People in Arlington formed a group called Preservation Association for Tree Hill (PATH). They wanted to save the land. In 1971, PATH raised $10,000 to rent the land. They also had a chance to buy it later for $230,000. That same year, the City of Jacksonville started helping to pay for Tree Hill.
In 1974, Tree Hill began working with the Duval County School Board. Tree Hill helps teach elementary school kids about science. They also train teachers and create science lessons. Florida lawmakers from Jacksonville helped get $445,000 from the state. Governor Reubin Askew even delivered the check himself. In December, the state bought the first 21.92 acres of land.
Ann Merrian became Tree Hill's first director in 1975. A pretty gazebo and restrooms were finished in 1976. An old garage on the property became a science lab in 1977.
The Environmental Center at Tree Hill opened in 1985. Summer day camps about nature started in 1986. Lucille Heine became Tree Hill's first paid Executive Director in 1987. She helped manage the growing number of grants and programs.
In 1990, Tree Hill received 160 acres of land from Martin E. Stein's family. Tree Hill later gave some of this land to the city. In 2000, 10 acres became Lew Brantley Park. In 2004, the rest of the land became Tillie Fowler Regional Park.
The Jacksonville Community Foundation started a special fund for Tree Hill in 2002. The park's website, www.treehill.org, also launched that year. Since 2002, Tree Hill has held an annual Butterfly Festival every spring.
The Flight of Fancy butterfly house was built in 2007. A large outdoor theater with 300 seats was also built. The next year, the Tree Hill organization received $150,000. This money was for the right to name the theater for five years. It was then named the Joseph A. Strasser Amphitheatre.
In 2009, several live animals were added for visitors to see. These included gopher tortoises, possums, goats, chickens, fish, and snakes. The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens nearby is run in a similar way to Tree Hill.
Fun Features at Tree Hill Park
Strawberry Creek, Red Bay Branch, and Howland Creek flow through the park. The park has three different types of natural areas. It also has three walking trails. About 25,000 people visit the nature center each year.
The "hill" at Tree Hill is actually the second highest spot in Duval County. It is 36 feet above sea level. The park also has a very old oak tree, about 300 years old!
- Animal Encounter gives you a chance to learn about local animals. You can see them up close and even touch some. Live animals at the center include snakes, turtles, fish, alligators, lizards, frogs, armadillos, goats, chickens, an owl, an opossum, squirrels, and raccoons.
- The Guided Trail Tour is led by a Florida Master Naturalist. They will show you different animals and their homes. They will also explain how these animals survive.
- The Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden changes with the seasons. It has bright, sweet-smelling flowers that attract hummingbirds. The butterfly area is home to the yearly Butterfly Festival. During this event, one thousand butterflies are released. These butterflies are from 15 different types that live in Florida. More than 5,000 people come to this festival.
- The Compost Area shows how composting works. It also explains why it's good for the environment.
- A Tortoise colony lives in a fenced area near the main building. The Gopher tortoise is a protected animal in Florida. It is against the law to harm them.
Loretto Nature Center: A Sister Site
In 1946, Horace Arnold gave 11 acres of wild land to the Duval County School Board. He wanted it to be saved forever. This land was behind Loretto Elementary School. It stayed untouched until 1990, when a builder wanted to buy it. When the School Board thought about selling, Arnold's family and others strongly disagreed.
The Mandarin Community Club started a petition to stop the sale. They wanted the land to become a nature classroom. Howard Landers and Tom Atkins, who are planners, offered to create a plan for free. Quinton White, a marine biologist, studied the animals and plants there. The experienced team at the Tree Hill Nature Center agreed to help manage this new site. Finally, local leaders voted against selling the land.
The School Board rented the land to the city. The city then rented it to Tree Hill Nature Center, Inc. Howard Landers said it was tricky to get to the land. They had to cross a creek and wetlands. They found the narrowest spot to cross without harming important trees.
Work on the Loretto Nature Center began in 1993, but getting permits took over two years. Construction finally started in 1996. The trail opened on June 6 and was officially dedicated on July 3. A 250-foot boardwalk crosses the swamp and Oldfield Creek. Then, an asphalt path goes around the property. At first, only students from Loretto Elementary could visit. But over the years, groups from other schools also started taking tours.
In 1997, Tree Hill Nature Center and Landers-Atkins Planners won an award. It was for their great work on the Loretto Nature Center. This award is given to only five projects in Florida each year.
Artists for Nature
In 2009, about 30 artists came together. This group included painters, writers, and musicians. Their goals were to help people care more about nature. They also wanted to make more people aware of the Tree Hill Nature Center. They hoped to show their art at the center and help with fundraising. All their art shows their love for nature.
Joanelle Mulrain, an artist who works at the center, helped start this program. Tree Hill expected to get 25% of the money from art sales. As part of its art program, the center also started holding concerts at the amphitheater.
