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.

Come volunteer with
Nature Operation Division
Would you like to find out more about volunteer opportunities with Nature Operations? You can make a difference in your local conservation lands right here in Gainesville!

City of Gainesville Offers Family Fun Naturally!
Providing opportunities for family fun comes naturally for the City of Gainesville’s Department of Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs Nature Operations Division. Mark your calendar for the many activities and events

Discover Florida as it was!
Gainesville’s Natural Treasures can be found throughout the city. You can stroll along a trail deep in the woods, walk a boardwalk edging a blackwater stream, take a class to become familiar with the fascinating wildlife, or step back in time over 130 years on a ten-acre Living History Farm. Visit the spring where Gainesville began or ride your bicycle or horse on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. Enjoy some of the best bird watching in North Florida, observe butterflies busy at wildflowers, and hear frogs calling for mates.
Nature parks are an integral part of the reason Gainesville is one of the best places in the U.S. to live... there is a sanctuary within minutes of wherever you are in the city. See these treasures for yourself... get to know your nature parks.

Join us for a special Lower Hogtown Creek Greenway field trip--Part of the Alachua Audubon Society’s Conservation Lands Educational Field Trip series:

Nature Operations Staff will lead a tour of Lower Hogtown Creek Greenway on Saturday, March 20 at 8:00 am, in conjunction with the Alachua Audubon Society. This free tour is part of the Alachua Audubon Society’s Conservation Lands Educational Field Trip series (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/aud/calendar.htm). In the 1990s, the state of Florida helped the city of Gainesville purchase extensive natural areas protecting varied habitats along Hogtown Creek. Participants will visit several sites to learn about this unique urban creek system and to see some of Gainesville's hidden natural treasures. Space may be limited, so please call Wild Birds Unlimited (352) 381-1997) to reserve a spot. Trip is about 3-4 hours, and may involve walking on uneven ground over distances of 1-2 miles. Meet at Albert "Ray" Massey Westside Recreation Center on NW 34th Street.

For more information: Geoffrey R. Parks, Habitat Naturalist, Nature Operations Division; Office: (352) 334-2227 or parksgr@cityofgainesville.org

Possum Creek Park, which is located at 4009 NW 53rd Avenue is temporarily closing to the public beginning Monday, March 22 for park improvements.

Some of the improvements include: a skate park, a newly paved parking lot, a multi-use trail, an off-leash dog park, new signage and new landscaping. The park will reopen in late April 2010.
Park visitors are encouraged to visit San Felasco Park, which is located at 6400 NW 43rd Way, while Possum Creek Park is under construction. San Felasco Park features nature/hiking trails, a picnic shelter and playground equipment.

These projects are partially funded by Wild Spaces-Public Places (WSPP). For more details, visit: http://wildspacespublicplaces.org.
For additional information, please visit our web site at http://www.cityofgainesville.org or contact John Weber, Operations Supervisor, at 352-334-5067. Click here or more information on the City of Gainesville’s Capital Projects.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Way to go G’ville!
The City of Gainesville Nature Operations Division wishes to thank the volunteers who participated at the 11th Annual Great Air Potato Roundup. Nearly 1,200 eager participants braved the rain to remove 13,270 pounds of air potatoes, 1,740 pounds of other invasive plants, and 1-full 20-yard construction dumpster of trash from sites throughout Gainesville!

To make a difference in your own yard, please visit http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/133 for specific information on the air potato; or visit http://www.fleppc.org to learn about the air potato and other invasive exotics!

As homeowners remove invasive plants from their yards— “Go Native” – it’s easy at the 2010 Spring Native Plant Sale at Morningside Nature Center on April 16th and 17th! Put some zing in your garden and bring the family out to the Native Plant Sale to get native plants for your home. The largest native plant sale in North Florida, offering thousands of ferns, grasses, trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.

Save the date now for next year's 12th Annual Air Potato Roundup on Saturday, January 29th 2011. To be our fan on FaceBook: Nature Operations Gainesville, FL.