Longleaf Pine Preserve - Community Service Cleanup

We have been asked to assist with cleanups in Longleaf Pine Preserve - East Entrance. We will spend about an hour or so cleaning up areas such as the parking lot and some trail systems. Please bring gloves, wear closed-toed shoes, and bring bug spray and water. We will supply the garbage bags. Why Longleaf Pine Preserve? The preserve spans 12,000 acres in New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County. It protects one of Florida's most endangered forest ecosystems that once covered 90 million acres across the Southeast but now exists at less than 3% of its original range. The preserve features the characteristic wiregrass understory and is regularly managed with prescribed burns to maintain the natural fire cycle essential for longleaf pine ecosystem health. Diverse wetlands, including cypress domes, depression marshes, and blackwater streams, support numerous aquatic species throughout the property. The preserve serves as a crucial wildlife corridor. It hosts significant populations of gopher tortoises, black bears, and a wide variety of birdlife, including various wading birds. Recreation opportunities include over 10 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, with wildlife viewing platforms strategically placed throughout. The land contains sites of historical significance, including turpentine operations, cattle ranching, and Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muskogee/Creek, and Seminole archaeological finds. The preserve connects to Tiger Bay State Forest, forming part of a larger conservation corridor essential for wildlife movement across central Florida. Doing just a small part to help maintain this beautiful preserve helps us give back and explore a diverse and historical area of Volusia County. The address is for the East Entrance, 4551 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Hope to see you there!