The Nature Coast shelters a myriad of plants and animals native to Florida, including the endangered black bear, bald eagles, egrets, blue herons, storks, alligators and abundant, lush foliage. The Weeki Wachee spring has a flow of 100,000 gallons of water a minute; divers have explored the spring to a depth of 550 feet without finding the bottom. The waters flow down the Weeki Wachee River to the Gulf of Mexico. The Withalacoochee River is virtually unpolluted and meanders through cypress swamps, pine forest and marshes, taking its color from the tannic acid given off by the waterlogged cypress. Occasionally, you may see a turtle sunning on a log. During winter the river is a safe haven for many migratory waterfowl. It flows 157 miles from its headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico.

Hernando Beach South
on the edge of Wildlife Preserves.

Please help watching our bears! Very unfortunately a driver hit 2 cubs recently and everybody is very sad. Most female bears in our area are aging and since there are so few bears every cub is precious. This is a major loss for our bear population. Somebody well meaning put this at the site of the accident on Osawa. Please contact the Bear Hotline 352-596-3157 if you see any bears and remember time and place so that they can get the bigger picture. For a map of the WeekeWachee Wild life Preserve go to:
GULF COAST CONSERVANCY, P.O. BOX 738 ? ARIPEKA, FLORIDA 34679? (727) 861-2621

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One of the area's most treasured winter visitors is the Florida Manatee. This large but gentle sea cow migrates into the warm waters of area rivers as the Gulf waters cool in the winter. From October through February these underwater mammals move into the relatively warm (a constant 72 degrees) waters of Florida's rivers.

Lots of Birds are living here or are visiting our neighborhood! Send pictures if you have any!