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Nature Operations Division is a part of The City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
The Nature Operations Division develops and conducts environmental education programs for the Alachua County school system, community education classes, nature preschool programs, and weekend and summer programs. Its staff is responsible for the development and operation of the City's Greenways and Greenspace Design including the Hogtown Creek Greenway, nature preserves development, and habitat management.
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"Get to Know" Youth Art Contest
“Get to Know” invites all youth (19 and younger) to get outdoors and “get to know” their natural world! Submit art, writing, photography, video or music inspired by outdoor experiences for a chance at wild prizes!
For more info and to submit work: www.gettoknow.ca
Join us for the kick-off celebration introducing this great program to Gainesville’s youth at the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, which is located at 3000 NW 83rd St. in Gainesville, Saturday, May 18 from 10 am–2 pm.
Our event is part of a contest program happening in Canada and the U.S. which has seen great success for a number of years. Students from across these countries will be submitting their original works of art, writing, photography, video or music inspired by the natural world. Winners will be featured in a calendar and on a website. Ours is the first time this program has been in Florida, and we will be displaying submissions from our region at an event in the Historic Thomas Center on Thursday, Dec 5, 2013 from 6 to 8 pm.
The contest runs until Friday, Nov. 1, 2013.
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 Save the Date… “Go Native” at Fall Native Plant Sale on Saturday, September 28 from 8:30-12:30 pm. An exclusive “members only” sale is open on Friday, September 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm for members of Friends of Nature Parks and the Florida Native Plant Society. Join now (www.friendsofnatureparks.org and www.fnps.org) or at the sale. The sale features free, expert plant advice, free Park-a-Plant service that allows you to shop hands-free while we tag, store and help you load your plants, a free naturalist-led wildflower walk at 11:30 am on Saturday as well as music. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted!
The sale is hosted cooperatively by the City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, the Friends of Nature Parks and the Paynes Prairie Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. For event information or to join Friends of Nature Parks (FNP) or the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) please call (352) 334-3326. Morningside Nature Center is located at 3540 East University Avenue, three miles east of downtown Gainesville.
Proceeds from the sale benefit environmental and cultural history programs offered by the City of Gainesville’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Morningside Nature Center is located at 3540 East University Avenue, three miles east of downtown Gainesville.
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 Thank you for making the 14th Annual Air Potato Round-Up a huge success! The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department wishes to thank the volunteers who participated at the 14th Annual Great Air Potato Round-Up! Nearly a 1,000 eager participants enjoyed beautiful weather while removing over 6.69 tons of air potatoes, 1,905 lbs. of other invasive plants and one 20-yard construction dumpster of trash from over 25 sites throughout Gainesville natural areas and parks! We also wish to thank in a special way our wonderful sponsors that made this event possible, and special congratulations to Ariana Sarvis the winner of our grand prize: a beautiful two-seats bike generously donated from Bikes And More store. With your help, we are making a difference! Save the date now for Saturday, January 25, 2014. Please post or link your event pictures on our FaceBook Page. |
 The Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park on NW 45th Ave. will soon be getting a facelift!
Improvements to the park will begin construction in early March through early June. This first phase of new construction will include utilities, a driveway, sidewalks, parking lot, restroom, emergency phone, exterior house repairs, stormwater pond, landscaping, and earthen trails. Other improvements that will be phased when funding becomes available will include a playground, pavilion, and tennis/volleyball court. Please be aware that the park will be closed to visitors during construction and signage will be posted to this effect. If you have any questions about this project, please call Stefanie Nagid, Program Coordinator, at 352-393-8425. Thank you for your patience and we are sure you will enjoy the improvements!
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