The Southwest Florida Water Management District is asking for the public’s input on developing a land management plan for the Conner Preserve in Pasco County.
A workshop will be held at the Starkey Environmental Education Center on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The environmental education center is located at the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve at 10500 Wilderness Park Road in New Port Richey.
The Conner Preserve encompasses 2,980 acres in the eastern central portion of Pasco County and consists of a variety of habitats including wetlands, pine flatwoods, cypress domes, freshwater marshes, mixed uplands and improved pasture.
The District acquired the preserve in 2003 as part of District’s annual Florida Forever Workplan. The land was primarily purchased for preservation of natural systems, groundwater recharge, water quality, flood protection and passive recreation. However, the preserve also functions as a key wildlife corridor link that connects the Starkey Wilderness Park to the Cypress Creek Preserve, which are other publicly owned lands in Pasco County managed by the District.
The management plan for the preserve describes the type and condition of the natural resources and evaluates the site for potential compatible resource-based recreation opportunities. As part of the plan, the District will be responsible for managing the Preserve’s natural resources and for accommodating recreational usage.
Public usage of District-owned lands emphasizes recreational uses that are compatible with the natural resources of a site. Recreational uses being considered for the Preserve will include hiking, horseback riding, off-road and on-road bicycling, camping (primitive, tents), wildlife observation, nature study, outdoor nature photography and picnicking.
For more information about the management plan or attending the workshop, please call Colleen Kruk in the District’s Land Resources Department at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4471.