Wolf Branch Nature Preserve

Wolf Branch Nature Preserve
Location481 Villemaire Road Apollo Beach (Hillsborough County), Florida, United States
Nearest cityTampa, Florida
Coordinates27°44′45.6″N 82°26′31″W / 27.746000°N 82.44194°W / 27.746000; -82.44194
Area1,400 acres (5.7 km2)
Established1990
Websitewww.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/locations/wolf-branch-creek-nature-preserve

Wolf Branch Nature Preserve is a 1,400-acre (570 ha) nature preserve in Hillsborough County, Florida. The preserve is managed by Hillsborough County's Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department.[1] It offers fishing and 2 miles (3.2 km) of hiking trails in areas of natural mangrove shoreline, upland cabbage palm hammocks, offshore sea grass beds in Tampa Bay, and tidally-influenced Wolf Branch Creek.[2]

High tides reverse the course of the creek and move juvenile mullet, snook and reds. Roseate spoonbills, reddish egrets, wood storks, and at least one bobcat call the preserve home.[3]

The distressed area was purchased by the county in 1993 for $1.8 million.[3] Historically it was used for pasture and cropland. Restoration projects took place on the property[4] starting with eradicating exotic vegetation, then sculpting both isolated and interconnected wetlands to attract fisheries and other wildlife.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department".
  2. ^ "Wolf Branch Creek Nature Preserve".
  3. ^ a b c Hoppe, Mary. "Hidden Gem is Crown Jewel for the Estuary". Bay Soundings.
  4. ^ Wolf Branch Nature Preserve Management Plan