| Telegraph Creek Preserve (TCP) is a 1730 acre preserve that was acquired in 2009. It is located in Alva, on the north side of North River Road. Telegraph Creek separates the main portion of the preserve from the smaller arm.
TCP is unusual for the Conservation 20/20 Program because it has a fairly large area of scrub as well as an almost 500-acre palmetto prairie that was maintained with fire by the previous land owners. Historically, Florida scrub jays (a Federally Threatened species) have been documented using the Preserve and restoration plans will partially focus on making the scrub suitable habitat for their return. These plans will also benefit the gopher tortoise (a state Threatened species) that is commonly found throughout drier portions of the Preserve.
The Preserve is adjacent to the 5620-acre Bob Janes Preserve, which, in turn, is adjacent to the 67,619-acre Babcock Ranch Preserve in Charlotte County. Together with nearby conservation lands, including the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area and the Caloosahatchee Regional Park, these conservation areas provide habitat for numerous listed species including the Florida black bear, Florida panther, crested caracara, red-cockaded woodpecker, eastern indigo snake, and Florida burrowing owl.
Currently, TCP is classified as a Category 4 Resource Protection & Restoration Preserve. As with all designated Category 4 preserves, if there is a public interest, staff may provide guided field trips when there are no safety concerns and it is compatible with protecting the animals and plant communities found at the specific preserve. Land Stewardship staff is currently working on the stewardship plan for this Preserve which will include both restoration plans as well as plans for limited public access such as a primitive trailhead. |
