Tree Hill Nature Center
The Tree Hill Nature Center is located in Jacksonville, Florida and is a non-profit organization and wilderness preserve whose purpose is providing an educational experience for visitors. People go to the Tree Hill Nature Center to appreciate nature and learn all about the natural environment in Jacksonville. This Jacksonville city park opened in 1971 when the land was acquired to preserve an urban wilderness space containing sensitive animals and plants from the surrounding development.
The original 40-acre property was split into various tracts, and in 1975 the state of Florida purchased most of the acreage which is now held by the Florida Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. In 1998, Jacksonville bought ten more acres of the land thanks to a grant from the Florida Communities Trust.
The development of Tree Hill Nature Center was split into three phases. The first phase began in 2002 and included removing debris from the area, setting up fences around the property, surveying the environment, and the creation of a plan for development. The city of Jacksonville paid for completing the first phase in 2004, and a grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program covered the construction of an amphitheater as well as some landscaping, parking spaces, and new trails. In 2006, improvements were made to the park such as a roof for the amphitheater, storage areas, and restrooms.
The Tree Hill Nature Center’s history began when the “Tree Hill” property was put up for sale in 1970 by its private owners. Arlington residents formed the Preservation Association for Tree Hill that summer and began negotiating for the purchase of 21.5 acres. In May of 1971, PATH raised $10,000 to secure a lease with the option to purchase the parcel of land for $230,000. The City of Jacksonville began providing funds for Tree Hill operations in 1971.
In 1974, a contractual agreement between Tree Hill and the Duval County School Board mandated that Tree Hill provide elementary school instruction, teacher training, and science development for the school district. In June of 1985, the Environmental Center at Tree Hill opened and natural science day camps were offered during the summer of 1986.
Jacksonville’s Tree Hill Nature Center has many features including three creeks that run the length of the park, three different ecosystems, and three trails. Every year about 25,000 people visit the nature center. The park is also 36 feet above sea level, making it the second highest point in Duval County, and has a 300-year-old oak tree.
There are plenty of activities and learning experiences at the park for people to enjoy, such as the Animal Encounter, which provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about animals that are native to the area, see them up close, and even touch some of them. There is also a Guided Trail Tour that is led by a Florida Master Naturalist who will educate visitors on different animals, their habitats, and their lifestyles while adventuring along the trails. The Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden is seasonal but contains brightly colored and scented flowers, and is home to the annual Butterfly Festival.