| Alva Scrub Preserve contains six parcels, about 846 acres combined, that were acquired by the C20/20 Program from 1999 through 2008.
The Preserve is located on the boundary between the Alva community and Lehigh Acres, in the vicinity of Bateman Road and Joel Boulevard.
The Preserve contains a diversity of plant communities including mesic & scrubby flatwoods, oak hammock, wet prairie, floodplain swamp, unimproved pasture, cypress head and pond. These wetland areas provides feeding and roosting areas for numerous listed wading bird species, as well as many other animals.
At this time, the Preserve has active cattle leases in the pasture areas, so there is currently no designated trailhead or marked trails. The cattle leases are used as a management tool on this Preserve. Initial invasive exotic plant treatment has been completed on portions of the preserve, focusing primarily on Brazilian pepper and melaleuca. In June 2008 pine tree thinning was conducted to improve habitat for the Federally listed Florida scrub jays which reside on the Preserve. Rollerchopping of palmetto, prescribed burning and planting of scrub jay forage species are planned stewardship activities for the site.
Conservation 20/20 Land Stewards are visiting the site periodically and are spending several months of concentrated field work coinciding with the writing of an updated Land Stewardship Plan. During that time, public recreational opportunities will be determined. In the mean time, individuals can contact Land Stewardship staff about accompanying them on a site inspection. |
