About this property
The St. Johns River Water Management District purchased this property to restore the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin to a natural system. The historic river channel flows through the property and a canal (C-212) runs on the eastern boundary of the original floodplain.
The restoration has provided improved water quality on-site and downstream, expanded flood water storage and restored 2,400 acres of wetlands and associated wildlife habitat. Ocklawaha Prairie lies within an extensive wetland system which includes Tiger Den, Marshall Swamp and the Bead River.
One of the special highlights of this property is the Chornobyl Memorial Forest, a portion of the property that honors the survivors and the thousands whose lives were lost during the Chornobyl nuclear disaster in the Ukraine in April 1986. The 314-acre forest is planted in longleaf pine to symbolize the importance of renewal, rebirth and restoration.
Access
Near Moss Bluff. The Chornobyl Memorial Forest section of the property can be accessed from County Road 464C. For details and to get driving directions from your location, see the Google Maps links on this page.
- Chernobyl Memorial Forest entrance, 11180 S.E. Highway 464C, Ocklawaha, FL 32179
- Moss Bluff, eastern entrance, 9706 S.E. Hwy. 464C, Ocklawaha, FL 32179
- Old River Road/137th Avenue entrance
Wildlife viewing
Please respect Florida’s wildlife and use caution while visiting district lands. These are wild animals. For your safety, do not approach or feed any wild animal. The diversity of natural systems provides habitat and feeding areas for wildlife such as gopher tortoise, gray fox, bobcat, black bear, sandhill crane, heron and egret.
Recreational activities
- Wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, fishing, seasonal waterfowl hunting, nature study and primitive camping.
- Boating and canoeing opportunities are available on the Ocklawaha River, and the property is accessible by water; however, there are no launches located on the property.