Ekker Nature Preserve

This 85-acre nature preserve was purchased by Hillsborough County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) between 2001 and 2003. The preserve’s southeastern section with berms along Ekker Rd. and Symmes Rd. was a 24-acre fish farm overgrown with invasive plants prior to restoration by SWFWMD, which created freshwater ponds, marsh, and forested wetlands. The 1-mile hiking trail winds through former pine plantations that are being restored to more diverse native flatwoods and upland forest.