Between 2000 and 2005, 143 acres had been purchased with several rounds of funds from Florida Communities Trust grants. And Peli loves to wander behind the Audubon House which abuts the143-acre preserve which includes a mixture of pine flatwoods, mature coastal hammock, scrubby flatwoods and mangrove wetlands. The maritime hammock community is at a mature stage of growth. Some of the live oaks dominating the canopy of the hammock are hundreds of years old, and are capable of living many years to come. Native groundcover and understory are composed of wild coffee, myrsine, marlberry, firebush, native wildflowers, saw palmetto, cabbage palms and an array of other hammock species. As Peli walks along one of the trails she enjoys a view of scrubby and mesic flatwoods full of wildlife including gopher tortoises, neo-tropical songbirds, native songbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, squirrels, and a resident bald eagle. Peli was lucky to see a bald eagle flying overhead scanning the area.
Peli encourages you to enjoy observing wildlife and learning about the conservation efforts by visiting South ORCA. Remember, Leave no trace.
The Adventures of Peli the Pelican 