Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area
FIND IT
Location: 5900 85th Street (Main Entrance at Wabasso Park), Wabasso, FL
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 27°45'20.50" Longitude: -80°27'12.83"
Conservation Area Size: 111 acres
Hours of Operation: 7:30am-sunset, year-round
Open to Public: YES
- Parking available at Wabasso Park Walking trails
- Benches & educational Signage
Rules
Dogs must be on leash, No Alcohol, No Camping, No Fires
Description
The 111 acre Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area (WSCA) is a 111-acre conservation area, purchased in 1995 for the protection and management of the natural resources within its boundaries. The WSCA is comprised of 53 acres of Sand Pine/Scrub Oak and Scrubby Flatwoods communities, 15 acres of Wet Prairies, 41 acres of Pine Flatwoods, and approximately 2 acres of other lands. Each of the four natural communities within the conservation area have been identified at the local and State level as threatened or significantly impacted by historic development along the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. The Sand Pine Scrub community, comprising approximately 40% of the conservation area, is classified as imperiled both globally and statewide by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Populations of Florida Scrub Jays and Gopher Tortoises, both listed species, have been studied on the site since 2000.
WSCA is also an integral component of the Sebastian Area-Wide Florida Scrub Jay Habitat Conservation Plan approved by the USFWS and finalized in March 2000. The conservation and management of this property in part mitigates for the incidental take of Florida Scrub-jays within platted lots in the Sebastian Highlands. The WSCA has also been utilized as a recipient site for relocated Florida gopher tortoises, a State listed Threatened species. Both of these species are often considered "keystone" species, meaning that their presence has a major role in maintaining balance of species composition in an area. For example, the burrow of a gopher tortoise can provide refuge for over 360 other species (FFWCC). The conservation area is a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail (www.FloridaBirdingTrail.com).
We encourage the public to enjoy observing wildlife and learning about our conservation efforts by visiting our information kiosk at the various entrances to the conservation area. Please remember to leave only footprints on site!