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Ralph E. Simmons
Memorial State Forest
Total Acreage: 3,638
Counties: Nassau |
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Previously known as St. Mary's State Forest, the forest
was renamed in 1996 as a memorial to Ralph E. Simmons,
a former St. Johns River Water Management District Governing
Board Member who was instrumental in the purchase of the
forest. The St. Johns River Water Management District
purchased the parcel with funds from the Preservation
2000 and the Save Our Rivers Programs. The Florida Division
of Forestry currently manages the property through a management
agreement established in 1992 with the St. Johns River
Water Management District.
Through multipe-use management, the Division of Forestry maintains a balance between resource conservation and public use with special emphasis on ecosystem management and ecological restoration of native communities.
Location
Ralph E. Simmons Memorial State Forest is located in
Nassau County, in northeastern Florida on the St. Mary's
River. If traveling from the town of Hilliard, go north
on U.S. Highway 1 for 7 miles to the town of Boulogne.
From Boulogne go east on State Road 121/Lake Hampton Road.
The forest parking areas are located: 1) at the forest
entrance, 1 mile north of Lake Hampton Road on Penny Haddock
Road; 2) 2 miles east of Hwy. 1 on Lake Hampton Road at
the power line right-of-way; 3) 1 mile east of Hwy. 1
on Lake Hampton Rd. on Pigeon Creek Rd . Access for canoeing
and boating on the St. Mary's River is available at the
Pigeon Creek Road gate.
Timber Management
Timber management practices on
Ralph E. Simmons Memorial State Forest
are important to the restoration and maintenance of forest ecosystems and provide a variety of socioeconomic benefits to Floridians. Longleaf pine is being reintroduced in an effort to restore the forest for the enjoyment of future generations. An aggressive prescribed burning program is in place to assure that maximum benefits are attained in timber production on the forest.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, returns 15 percent of the revenue obtained from timber harvests, recreation, and other income-producing services on Ralph E. Simmons Memorial State Forest to Nassau County.
Natural Features
Ralph E. Simmons Memorial State Forest offers visitors the
scenic beauty of the St. Mary's River which also provides
the northern boundary of the forest and serves as
the primary water source. The river and two oxbow
lakes along with numerous cypress stands, ponds and
swamps provide an abundance of fish as well as a water
source for the many types of wildlife that live on
the forest.
The forest features many excellent examples of natural
communities which include: longleaf pine/wiregrass,
low pinelands, seepage slopes, herb bogs and ravine
communities. These natural communities serve as an important refuge for a number of rare and endangered plants such as: Florida toothache grass, purple balduina, many-flowered grasspink, and hooded pitcher plant.
Many species of wildlife are found residing
on the forest. Wildlife that is frequently seen include:
whitetail deer, fox, wild turkey, bobcat, gopher tortoise
and otter.
Recreation
Ralph E. Simmons Memorial State Forest provides excellent opportunities
for resource based recreation. The water resources and
upland forest communities provide excellent wildlife
viewing. Hiking, horseback riding and off-road bicycling
are available to forest users on established trails
and roads throughout the forest.
Two primitive campsites are located along the St.
Mary's River and are available on a first-come-first-serve
basis. Access to these sites is available from the river
only and requires no permit. During established hunting seasons camping is not allowed at these sites.
Camping for organized groups
is available by State Forest Use Authorization, and can
be obtained from the Division of Forestry at the Hilliard
Work Center. During established hunting seasons, camping
is reserved for hunters with a valid hunt permit.
The forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Hunting
is permitted during designated seasons for whitetail deer, hogs, wild turkeys and small game
is permitted during designated seasons by permit only. Hunting is restricted to only those individuals who hold a valid hunt permit. Specific regulations and hunting season dates can be obtained at
http://myfwc.com/hunting/.
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's
forest resources, the Division of Forestry has developed
rules which apply to all State Forest visitors. READ
MORE
Trails |
Campsites
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Other
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Hike |
Bike |
Horse |
Canoe |
Camp
sites |
with
Electric |
Leashed
Pets OK |
More
Activities |
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 Primitive |
none |
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Hunting |
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