About this property
The conservation area contains a large portion of the floodplain of Lake Monroe, with wetlands making up 94 percent of the property. This area includes more than three miles of Lake Monroe and St. Johns River shoreline to provide water quality and flood protection. The predominant natural communities with the property are floodplain marsh/wet prairie and floodplain swamp/forest. Another district property, Lake Jesup Conservation Area, is located nearby to the south.
Years ago, Native Americans hunted and fished in the area. Now, the western portion of the conservation area is dedicated to Minnie Beck Kratzert, whose family owned the property until it was sold to the district in 1987.
One of the special highlights of this property is its beautiful views of open floodplain marsh on both tracts. The Brickyard Slough tract offers primitive camping in a shady oak hammock that is very popular. The northeastern portion of the property is high sandy scrub that is home to Florida scrub-Jays.
Access
East of Sanford, the property has two parking areas. For details and to get driving directions from your location, see the Google Maps link on this page.
Wildlife viewing
Please respect Florida’s wildlife and use caution while visiting district lands. These are wild animals. For your safety, do not approach or feed any wild animal. The area provides excellent habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl, wood storks, wading birds and shorebirds. Other common sightings include sandhill cranes, bald eagles, turkeys, ospreys, deer and a large number of alligators.
Recreational activities
- Fishing, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, primitive camping at designated sites and wildlife viewing.
- Boating and canoeing opportunities are available on Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River, and the area is accessible by water; however, there are no launches located on-site.
- Geocache located on property. Please visit our geocache database for more information.