FTA-Sandhill: Austin Cary Forest & Turpentine Education Site Tour

Location: 10625 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL 32609
Time: 9:30 AM to sign-in and circle time
“Tour starts at 10am and should be done by 2pm.
We’ll meet in the parking lot of the Stern Learning Center at the Austin Cary Forest. The main gate address is 10625 NE Waldo Rd… marked with a standard blue “UF/IFAS” sign and flanked by stone walls. The Learning Center is roughly 1.5 miles past the gate on the main loop road… follow the signs and you can’t miss it.
We’ll start with a brief orientation (what is the Austin Cary Forest, (who was Austin Cary, etc.), and then see the Skinner Turpentine Education Site where we’ll talk about the history of turpentining/naval stores in the Southeast (and especially Florida), and see how the resin was collected and processed, and the environmental, economic, and cultural impacts of the industry. I expect this aspect of the visit will be done by roughly 11am.
We’ll take a brief snack/water/bathroom break at that point.
, Then take a low-difficulty two-mile hike through the Forest. This will take us through some of the drier (sandhill) parts of the Forest, down an impressive grade to the banks of Hatchet Creek to see where a sinkhole drains the creek during times of low-water (like now). We’ll then loop back to the parking area via another path, and throughout discuss the different ecosystems we pass through, the native plants present, how these areas are managed (including prescribed burning, tree planting, herbicide to control invasives/competition, etc.). I expect to be back at the parking lot by 2pm (if not before).”
Guide:Scott A. Sager -Assistant Director
Undergrad Programs, Facilities, and Forester-Austin Cary Forest
Directions: Web address to the above location
General Information: Bring a hat, water, and lunch/snack if you like. Dress to your comfort. Bug spray is always a good idea.
Bathrooms: Yes
Dogs allowed: NO
Restricted to 20 current FTA members

RSVP Deadline: 6pm Tuesday, Feb.3,2026