County approves 10-year management plan and seeks wildlife-management-area status for Wakaloosa Slough Preserve

Alachua County commissioners approved a 10-year management plan for the Wakaloosa Slough Preserve and authorized a chair—s letter supporting creation of a Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) wildlife-management area (WMA) on the property.

Senior planner Ryan Kennelly described the preserve as the county—s largest at roughly 6,200 acres, with about 1,500 acres of wetlands and a 2.5-mile portion of the Wakaloosa Slough. Staff said the property was acquired using Wild Spaces Public Places surtax funds totaling about $17.5 million across several purchases and that restoration will prioritize converting more than 3,200 acres of former pine plantations back to longleaf pine where appropriate.

Kennelly told the board the county intends to use prescribed fire as the primary restoration tool and anticipates burning 1,000–2,000 acres per year on the preserve until longleaf and understory communities recover. Staff proposed a mixed recreational strategy: a southern portion open year-round to hikers, bikers and equestrians, and a northern portion managed with FWC—s quota-permit hunting system on 51 weekend days between September and April. The plan includes up to five trailheads and the possibility of ~21 miles of trails, limited vehicle access and special-use permits for people with mobility impairments.

FWC biologist Holly Nichols confirmed frogging and some fishing regulations are normally offered on WMAs but said those activities are seldom used; the county said it could remove frogging from the allowed activities if the commission prefers. The board authorized staff to finalize WMA rules with FWC and to send a letter of support; FWC—s schedule anticipates draft rules in late 2025 and a possible WMA effective date July 1, 2026, pending state approval.

Why it matters: The preserve protects large wetland complexes, rare natural communities, and a federally endangered species (wood stork). The management plan balances conservation goals with limited, managed public access and hunting under FWC oversight.

What—s next: County staff will continue WMA rule drafting with FWC, finalize an establishment agreement, prepare the public brochure and return with a formal contract and implementation steps.

Quote: "Prescribed fire is our most effective tool in the restoration toolbox," Ryan Kennelly said.

Speakers quoted (whitelist): ["Ryan Kennelly","Holly Nichols","Commissioner Alfred"].

Provenance: {"topicintro":{"block_id_start":"SEG 3731","block_id_end":"SEG 3731","evidence_excerpt":"Good afternoon, mister chair, commissioners. My name is Ryan Kennelly."},"topfinish":{"block_id_start":"SEG 4700","block_id_end":"SEG 4702","evidence_excerpt":"Those in favor of the motion vote by the sound of aye... Motion carries."}}