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Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner - James R. Karels, Director |
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Blackwater Riveer State Forest
Blackwater River State Forest is one of the largest state forests in Florida, and is named for the Blackwater River, which begins to the north in Alabama and meanders approximately 30 miles southwestward through the forest into Blackwater Bay, near Milton, Florida. Blackwater River is one of the few shifting sand bottom streams which remains in its natural state for nearly its entire length. The topography of the forest is gently rolling and contains various natural communities. Blackwater River State Forest is known for its longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem, which, in combination with the Conecuh National Forest to the north and Eglin Air Force Base to the south, is the largest contiguous ecological community of this type in the world. This system once covered over 60 million acres in the southeastern United States coastal plain area. Less than 3 million of the original acreage now remains. Longleaf pine communities are rich in plant and animal life, including many classified as endangered, threatened or species of special concern. LocationBlackwater River State Forest is located in the Florida panhandle northeast of Pensacola. The forest borders the Conecuh National Forest to the north and extends southward toward Eglin Air Force Base.The headquarters for Blackwater River State Forest can be found 20 miles north of the town of Milton on State Road 191 in the community of Munson.
Natural FeaturesThe forest lies on the southern tip of sandy, red clay soil deposited over west Florida. Erosion shaped the land's surface into low rolling hills separated by meandering water courses and broad flood plains. Elevations within the forest range from 10 feet to 290 feet above sea level. The changes in soil composition and the varying degree of moisture present in the forest support at least five principle types of plant communities: longleaf pine-scrub oak, slash pine, swamp hardwood, loblolly pine hardwood, and Atlantic white cedar.One of the many outstanding features on Blackwater River State Forest is the many beautiful streams that meander throughout the forest. The most notable of these waterways are Blackwater River, Juniper Creek, Coldwater Creek and Sweetwater Creek. Canoeing on these waterways is a popular activity.
Within the forest, pitcher plant bogs are unique areas containing a diversity of carnivorous plants which lure, trap and then digest insects. The carnivorous plants of the forest include glistening sundews, butterworts, bladderworts, and four species of pitcher plants. Pitcher plants trap insects in their erect trumpet- shaped leaves with an array of downward pointing hairs and a slippery wall, which lead down to a deadly bath of rainwater and digestive enzymes. Recreation The Division of Forestry manages the forest under the
multiple-use concept balancing environmental, recreational
and resource use needs. The recreational opportunities
on Blackwater River State Forest are diverse and plentiful
for many different types of users.
Closures of recreation sites-Please Note
Fifteen miles of trail are now open for horseback riding at Coldwater Recreation Area after major flooding in May. The remainder of the trails are still closed due to safety concerns and are presently under repair. For more information, contact Blackwater Forestry Center at 850-957-6140. Managing the Forest
Longleaf /pine wiregrass management is dependent upon an active prescribed fire program. The use of fire during the growing season is an effective tool in controlling hardwoods and promoting wiregrass flowering. Fire also helps to control brown spot needle blight on young longleaf pine seedlings, to improve wildlife habitat and control hardwood encroachment in sensitive areas such as pitcher plant bogs or red-cockaded woodpecker clusters. It also contributes to the restoration and maintenance of biological communities, and reduces the hazard of wildfire. The prescribed burn program on Blackwater River State Forest enhances the habitat of native fauna and flora by controlling the hardwoods and underbrush that can replace the variety of fragile species living on the forest. Control burning allows for the maintenance of the largest remaining fragment of longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem in the world. Timber management practices on Blackwater River State Forest are important in the restoration and maintenance of forest ecosystems and provide a variety of socioeconomic benefits to Floridians. Thousands of acres of slash pine plantations are being converted back to longleaf pine which historically dominated Blackwater River State Forest's sandy soils. Harvesting activities follow Silviculture Best Management Practices (BMPs). The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry returns 15% of the revenue obtained from timber harvest, recreation and other income producing services on the Blackwater River State Forest to Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties.
Division of Forestry |
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