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Q FL 4. Fahkahatchee Strand. Acreage: 75,000. 



DC 



O Location: Collier County; W of Copeland; 30 miles SE of Naples; reached via 



Cl Rt. 29 N from Rt. 4 1 . 



Description: Extensive wilderness wetland 4 miles wide and 15 miles long, 

 owned originally by Turner Lumber Company and cut over in the late 1940s or 

 early 1950s. A 13-mile W. I. Janes Memorial Drive takes one through an unbe- 

 lievable wilderness where wildlife abounds. Weasels, raccoon, and deer may be 

 seen commonly during the day. Birdlife is abundant. Alligators can be seen in 

 the sloughs from the car. Original forest of cypress is being replaced in part by 

 willow scrub and other deciduous species. Associated trees include bay, red 

 maple, and oak. Lack of cypress reproduction may be correlated with a severe 

 fire that swept the area in 1961. The area is unique in harboring the most ma- 

 ture royal palms in south Florida, as well as the Paurotis palm. A great diversity 

 of orchids occurs, including the unusual ghost orchid. Open, extensive stands of 

 pond cypress occur in the western sector of the area. In a 1965 report, the 

 Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission states, "This area is unique 

 because of its lush forests of Royal palms, Paurotis palms, bald cypress, and con- 

 centrations of exotic orchids, Bromeliads and ferns, some of which are found 

 nowhere else in North America. The list of mammals, reptiles and birds which 

 have chosen this as a sanctuary is very extensive. The strand serves as protection 

 for panther, bear, mink, and alligator. Wilderness preservation as well as water 

 conservation are compatible here, as the strand is the natural drainage valley of 

 central Collier County and is now in great danger of being destroyed." The 

 Janes Memorial Scenic Drive is along a 100-ft strip, located on the main rail- 

 road right-of-way and bordered on either side by open sloughs. This strip was 

 deeded to the county by the Turner Lumber Co. prior to the sale of the land to 

 Gulf American. It is visited by about 100 cars per day, when open. It is con- 

 sidered one of Florida's more unique wilderness drives. 



Encroachments: Hunting camps have been leased by Gulf American. These are 

 located on the old railroad spurs off the Scenic Drive. Occasional camps can be 

 seen from the road. The area was relatively undisturbed when visited in the 

 spring of 1969. However, in the spring of 1970 an extensive drainage canal was 

 being constructed across the western section of the area. The Scenic Drive was 

 closed to the public probably to prevent any adverse publicity in conjunction 

 with this major encroachment on the Scenic Drive. If the drainage operation is 

 continued or expanded it is highly possible that the water levels will be suffi- 

 ciently lowered to destroy the biological values of the area as a whole and espe- 

 cially those along the Scenic Drive. 



Ownership: Gulf American Corp. (NPS had surveyed to buy before acquisition 

 by Gulf American. ) 



Data source: R. N. Asbell, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; W. 

 A. Niering, Connecticut College, New London, Conn. 06320. 



