Biodiversity of Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park's Journal

Please join us in the park's first ever bioblitz! This site, along with others, will be part of Jacksonville's City Nature Challenge. For more information, please see the link posted here: https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/community-science

~Note that waterproof shoes/boots are recommended; binoculars and cameras are welcome to be brought along! Bug spray will be provided.~

Explore the property with experts on the local flora and fauna and help record what you observe on our iNaturalist project, "Biodiversity of Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park". Please see the Nature Center's bulletin board on how to join the project if you have not done so already. The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a biodiversity hike down the Tower Trail and overlooking the Ortega River at our observation tower. From there, we will sift nets through our freshwater pools to hopefully encounter various amphibians and other organisms. The hike will continue through the Island Trail to seek out upland habitat species. Our final stop will be at our creek near the trailhead where we will use the same nets to catch invertebrates. The Nature Center will be operating its normal hours from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. so stop by and say hello to our education animals!

The public of all ages are welcome and may part ways with the group at any time.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out today for our Weed Wrangle! We collected 20 bags of invasive species including Coral Ardisia, Tuberous Sword Fern, Wild Taro, and Mexican Petunia. With your help, we're keeping invasives out and allowing native vegetation to make a comeback. This is an annual event so be on the look-out next year for another opportunity to help improve the park. If you're interested in conducting your own invasives removal here or other opportunities, please see our bulletin board outside of the Nature Center or contact us at the email addresses located on the project's homepage.

Welcome to the project for the Biodiversity of Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park! The purpose of it is to record both native and invasive species with the help of people like you. With it, the park can be managed and remain a thriving space for both humans and wildlife. If you haven't done so already, please join by clicking the "Join" button on the project's home page at the top right corner. This way, you can stay updated on what's been seen on the property as well as offered tours and volunteering opportunities within the park.

The park itself is 509 acres boasting many different types of habitats. From freshwater creeks to pine forests, a variety of species can be seen here. The Tower Trail, located by the Nature Center, is rich in wetlands and allows for good views of the Ortega River at the observation tower at the end of the trail. A historic brick road utilized during both WWI and WWII runs under the boardwalk and can be accessed as well. The Island Trail located on the other side of the main road near the dog park harbors a pristine upland system surrounded by swamp cypress. A freshwater creek flows through the property and is a hotspot for both flora and fauna. The Nature Center is an educational building containing both biofacts as well as live educational animals for the public of all ages; hours are currently Friday-Sunday from 1p.m.-4p.m. If you are interested in assisting with the park, opportunities are posted on the bulletin board at the Nature Center entrance or can be inquired with the park's naturalists. Contact information is posted on the project home page.

Happy hiking and thank you for visiting us!