Lake Norris Conservation Area

The St. Johns River Water Management District purchased this 2,228-acre property in 1996 as part of the Wekiva-Ocala Greenway Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) project. Acquisition of this site provides protection for Lake Norris’s hardwood swamp and Blackwater Creek, a major tributary of the Wekiva River. The property’s uplands provide important habitat for the threatened black bear and for species of special concern including gopher tortoises and burrowing owls. The Water Authority entered into an agreement with the District to become the lead manager for this site and provide recreational opportunities.