The ancient scrub of the Lake Wales Ridge has been reduced from over 80,000 acres a hundred years ago to less than 25,000 acres today. Citrus groves and subdivisions have replaced rosemary balds and scrub jays.
The trend continues but recent efforts to preserve remnants of Florida scrub have resulted in a few scrub sanctuaries. The Nature Conservancy has established a half dozen scrub preserves on the Lake Wales Ridge. Florida's Conservation and Recreational Lands (Preservation 2000) program is currently buying Florida scrub for protection. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has recently begun purchasing remnants of ancient Lake Wales Ridge scrub around Sebring and Avon Park for a new national wildlife refuge, the nation's first ever dedicated primarily to plant conservation.
Once acquired, the scrub preserves have to be managed. Since many are surrounded by roads, subdivisions or agricultural lands, managers cannot depend on natural lightning-set fires to reach the scrub. Without periodic fires, the scrub oaks grow into trees, and the unique scrub plants and animals are shaded out as in this photo. Prescribed fires, set by trained land managers, are necessary, but often resisted by neighbors.
The ancient scrub of the Lake Wales Ridge has been reduced from over 80,000 acres a hundred years ago to less than 25,000 acres today. Citrus groves and subdivisions have replaced rosemary balds and scrub jays.
The trend continues but recent efforts to preserve remnants of Florida scrub have resulted in a few scrub sanctuaries. The Nature Conservancy has established a half dozen scrub preserves on the Lake Wales Ridge. Florida's Conservation and Recreational Lands (Preservation 2000) program is currently buying Florida scrub for protection. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has recently begun purchasing remnants of ancient Lake Wales Ridge scrub around Sebring and Avon Park for a new national wildlife refuge, the nation's first ever dedicated primarily to plant conservation. 
Once acquired, the scrub preserves have to be managed. Since many are surrounded by roads, subdivisions or agricultural lands, managers cannot depend on natural lightning-set fires to reach the scrub. Without periodic fires, the scrub oaks grow into trees, and the unique scrub plants and animals are shaded out as in this photo. Prescribed fires, set by trained land managers, are necessary, but often resisted by neighbors. 
