STATE FOREST SPOTLIGHT Tings to Know When Visiting Forest Service Remnants of Historical Use Myakka State Forest

Starting in the late 1800s, pine trees were used • Day use is from sunrise to sunset. for extracting large amounts of pine resin from Myakka long-leaf pines to make turpentine for the Naval • Pets are welcome but must be on a leash at all times. stores industry. Great camps were established in wooded areas along rivers to capture this • State Forest Use Permits are required for any State Forest resource. Initially, large cavities were cut in the organized activity. Tey can be obtained at base of trees and a chop-box was used to collect Myakka State Forest ofce. the resin. The resin was eventually collected in terra cotta pots call Hertys. • Trash and recycling receptacles are available at the Shell Drive parking lot.

The camps would distill the resin and make sure • Drinking water is not provided in the forest. it didn’t get too hot and spark embers. The resin was then transported by boat to other locations • Plants and animals are protected. Please do not to be sold. Examples of the historic items can be remove or destroy these natural resources. seen in the forest office on Shell Drive. • All trails are multi-use and are shared with bicycles, pedestrians and horses.

• Te multiple-use trails ofer visitors over 30 Love the state forests? So do we! miles of natural pine fatwoods and depression marshes with many species of wildlife to observe. Te North and South Loop trails Te Friends of is a direct- are included in the Florida Forest Service’s support organization of the Florida Forest Service Trailwalker and Trailtrotter programs. dedicated to ensuring Florida’s state forests are • Trail access is available from the main forest available for future generations to enjoy. Make a entrance on River Road, which is approximately diference by joining today to help protect Florida’s 9.5 miles south of Interstate 75 (exit 191). Trails forests. may be closed during wet periods or when certain management activities are taking place. Membership dues go to the forests for conservation • Reservations for all campsites can be made and improvement projects. To join Friends or for by calling 877.879.3859 or go to https://www. more information, visit: FloridaStateForests.ReserveAmerica.com

www.FloridaStateForests.org • We encourage all visitors to check the Wildlife Management Area regulations and hunting season dates before visiting the forest. For further information visit: www.MyFWC.com. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE For more information, visit: AND CONSUMER SERVICES www.FDACS.gov/FLStateForests DACS-P-00159 Rev. 10-2019 History Natural Resources Myakka State Forest was purchased in 1995 as Te , designated as an Outstanding part of the Myakka Estuary Conservation and Florida Water, fows through the northeastern Recreation Lands project using Preservation 2000 portion of the forest, dividing it into two tracts. and Save Our Rivers funds. Myakka State Forest also contains Myakkahatchee Creek which fows into the Myakka River within It currently includes 8,592 acres on three tracts of the forest boundaries. Te southwest portion of the land. Te Water Management forest contains much of the headwaters for Ainger District provided a portion of the funding to Creek. purchase the state forest and is an important cooperator in the management of the property, Te predominant ecosystem found on Myakka State especially in regards to hydrological management. Mesic fatwoods Forest is mesic fatwoods, which is characterized by a relatively open canopy of trees with dense ground Tis area was historically managed as a ranch with cover of grasses, herbaceous plant species and cattle grazing and farming prior to its acquisition. shrubs. Also, numerous depression marshes are Te management plan of the Florida Forest Service scattered through the fatwoods. guides the restoration of the forest using the multiple-use concept. Wildlife commonly seen on Myakka State Forest includes: gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake, bald eagle, Florida sand hill crane, wood stork, pileated woodpecker, bobwhite quail, great egret, eastern cottontail rabbit, bobcat, mourning dove and red- tailed hawk. Other known inhabitants include Florida Scrub Jay, rattlesnake, alligator and a few deer.

Forestry Gator Te forest resources on Myakka State Forest are managed under a multiple-use concept using Recreation sound forest management practices. Sustainable Recreational activities currently available on timber and range management in conjunction with Myakka State Forest include primitive camping, recreation, wildlife considerations and water quality hiking, of-road bicycling, wildlife viewing, are important in the restoration and maintenance of geocaching, fshing and small game hunting the forest ecosystems and provide a variety of socio- opportunities. A shaded picnic area and a pavilion economic benefts to Floridians. are also available to visitors.

Te primary management tool is the use of Primitive camping is available at the Flying A prescribed fre, an efective tool in controlling Campground and four remote hike in sites located hardwoods, reducing wildfre hazards, maintaining throughout the forest. Amenities at each site diversity and promoting wiregrass fowering. include a picnic table, fre ring and a grill. River campsite Te Florida Forest Service protects known For more information contact: Fishing and hunting in state forest are regulated archaeological and cultural resources, along with Myakka State Forest by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation maintaining and protecting various wetlands 2555 S River Road / P.O. Box 491 Commission in cooperation with the Florida Forest and aquatic natural communities. Multiple use Englewood, FL 34295-0399 Service, according to information published on management on Myakka State Forest ensures us Phone: 941.460.1333 Fax: 941.460.1335 their website (MyFWC.com) including seasons, that it will be there for future generations to enjoy. www.FDACS.gov/FLStateForests license requirements and quantity limits.