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Oakland Nature Preserve director outlines restoration wins and plans for new pavilion
Summary
Nicole O'Brien, managing director of Oakland Nature Preserve Incorporated, said the nonprofit planted more than 1,000 native trees, secured $40,000 in grants and received donated land for a planned pavilion while seeking funds to replace aging equipment.
Nicole O'Brien, managing director of Oakland Nature Preserve Incorporated, said the preserve has intensified habitat restoration and expanded community programming while planning a small land expansion and pavilion.
The preserve — owned by the town of Oakland and managed by the nonprofit — is open daily to the public free of charge, O'Brien said. "We are open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset, free of charge," she said, and noted the site includes roughly 4 miles of trails and a 0.667-mile boardwalk that leads to Lake Apopka.
O'Brien told attendees the nonprofit is a small operation of about seven staff supplemented by volunteers. "We have a small team of about 7 staff members and a whole lot lot of volunteers," she said, and reported volunteers contributed about 6,400 hours to the preserve over the past year.
Restoration work has been a major focus: the land was formerly an orange grove and a pine farm, and staff and volunteers have removed nonnative plants and replanted native species. "Just this past year, we planted over 1,000 native trees and grasses and flowering plants," O'Brien said. She also described the use of prescribed burns done under strict conditions to promote plant growth and reduce wildfire risk.
Education and public programs have expanded alongside restoration. The preserve reintroduced Science Saturdays and lakeside yoga, and increased homeschool classes by about 50 percent after demand caused classes to sell out. O'Brien gave an example of a family-friendly Science Saturday that included an ambassador opossum visit.
On funding, O'Brien said the nonprofit obtained $40,000 in grants this fiscal year but continues to seek donations and new revenue streams. She credited a social media-driven donation for covering repairs after "Hurricane Milton" damaged portions of the boardwalk, allowing the nonprofit to avoid using reserve funds.
Operational needs include replacing an aging pickup used for programming and maintenance; O'Brien said the truck is about 20 years old and needs funding for replacement. She also announced that developers of the Bridal Farm subdivision have agreed to donate acreage adjacent to the preserve, which the nonprofit plans to clear and develop into a multiuse pavilion that could serve as outdoor classroom space and a community gathering area.
O'Brien said the nonprofit adopted a strategic plan to guide operations over the next five years and emphasized partnerships with local scouting groups; she said 10 Eagle Scout projects were completed at the preserve during the past year.
The presentation closed with an invitation for residents to visit the preserve. "We are proud to partner with the town to provide this great ecotourism opportunity right here in the town of Oakland and we hope that you will come visit us very soon," O'Brien said.
