Alachua County is marking the 25th anniversary of its Alachua County Forever land conservation program. To celebrate, the county is inviting the public to a guided hike at Black Lake Preserve in Melrose.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 9 to 11 a.m. Participants will be able to visit the preserve before its official opening in 2026.
The hike will begin at the future trailhead and follow a 1-mile loop through mesic flatwoods and near a basin swamp. Staff will highlight local plants and wildlife along the route…