Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a 21,000-acre wilderness between Gainesville and Micanopy in Alachua County. The Preserve’s unusual geological and hydrological features, rich and productive wildlife habitat, and diverse archeological and cultural history make it one of Florida’s top destinations.

The gateway to the Preserve is the Ranger Station off US 441. Landscaping at our “front door” was non-existent. In 2006 to improve first impressions, the Friends of Paynes Prairie, Inc. applied for a grant from the Florida Wildflower Foundation to landscape the Ranger Station with native species. We were fortunate to receive this generous grant.

Friends consulted with Preserve staff, local experts, and representatives of the Florida Native Plant Society. A contract was awarded to Air & Water Research, Inc. 

Design work was approved in January 2007, and planting was completed in May.

Some 28 species represent a wide range of native plants. The new landscaping not only improves aesthetics but is also an educational tool for visitors, volunteers, and students.

Individual species are identified with plant tags and a GET NATIVE brochure is available listing the plants and promoting the benefits of native landscaping. An informational kiosk is installed to explain the plantings, and interest in the project has been high.

View the GET NATIVE brochure* in pdf format  Note* The 532kb file will open in a new window
To learn more about Paynes Prairie go to www.prairiefriends.org.