Audubon Nature Preserve

Located in Panama City off State Avenue, this 30 acre wetland includes Doctor's Pond which is encircled by cypress, sweetbay, and longleaf pine.  During normal rain conditions this area is home to wood ducks, beavers, wading birds, and other wetland species.

Management Team: Ron Houser and Mike Finnegan

      

Tumble Creek Preserve

This nearly 50 acre property in Washington County consists of diverse sandhill trees and shrubs sloping down to wetland species and includes a small creek, which is a tributary of Econfina Creek.  The original 20 acres was donated by Marianna Audubon when they disbanded in 2000.  Subsequent additions were purchased with the help of the Richard Jennings Estate, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jelks Family Foundation, and Gulf Power Foundation.  Further additions are hoped for.  Tumble Creek Preserve is located in Washington County, about 38 miles north of Lynn Haven, west of  Highway 231.

Team Members: Nancy and Jerry Harris

      

King Family Preserve

A heavily wooded wetland, this beautiful 27 acre tract is a remnant of the large band of mid-city wetlands that once existed before heavy development occurred.  This property is frequently admired by local citizens driving along Balboa Avenue. It is located on Balboa Avenue, between 15th and 19th Streets (on both sides of Wood Avenue). The BCC would like to add additional acreage here.

Management Team Leader: Warren Middlemas

Mary Ola Reynolds Miller Palm Preserve

Over 70 native palm trees grow on this little oasis of greenery in the midst of downtown Panama City.  Nestled between buildings and city streets, it is also important for storm water retention in the areas.  The Palm Preserve consists of 1/3 acre and was a gift from Mrs. Miller in 2002. It is located on Beach Drive, one block to the west of Harrison Avenue.  Native plants have been established as a wildlife garden and a picnic table and bench were installed for public use.

Management Team: Dr. Ted Wilson and Maxwell Miller 

Savage Swamp Preserve

This forested wetland on the Choctawhatchee River can be reached by canoe.  It is home to many large trees that are now protected from logging.  These few acres were donated to BCC by Dr. John Savage.

Juniper Headwaters Preserve

In 2005, the BCC acquired 10 acres of mixed upland and wetland on Silver Lake Road near Fountain. Thirty more acres have been acquired, all through a mitigation process in which the developer preserves wetlands in one location to satisfy permitting requirements for destroying wetlands in another spot.

Management Team Leaders: The Jonkel Family

Talkington Family Nature Preserve

Donated by the Talkington family as mitigation for development of the adjacent apartment complex, this 10-acre site was designed to provide habitat for crayfish and other wetland species.  It is hoped that it can support a population of the Panama City Crayfish.  The Talkington Family Preserve is located just south of the intersection of 26th street on Jenks Avenue in Lynn Haven.

Management Team Leader: Rick Ruebsamen

Richard Jennings Preserve

Six acres of highly-impacted inner city wetland, the Preserve is an example of the usefulness of wetlands for stormwater management.  Vegetation absorbs and filters runoff, thus helping to protect St. Andrew Bay from pollutants.  The Richard Jennings Preserve is located between Highway 231 and 19th Street. 

Marjorie's Magical Marsh-Symone's Sanctimonius Swamp
(formerly Highpoint Preserve)

For information on how you can visit these properties, please contact us by e-mail at Bay County Conservancy.