FORT PIERCE - St. Lucie County's Environmental Resources Department recently opened its latest nature preserve; the George E. Lestrange Natural Area.

Located at 4911 Ralls Road, off of Selvitz Road, this 94-acre preserve features a mile-long hiking trail through pine flatwoods and a floodplain forest. The site features a large man-made lake that used to be an old sand mine. A canoe launch is available for people to paddle and fish the lake, but due to the steep slopes swimming is prohibited. Fishing is allowed on the lake, but "catch-and-release" rules apply, and only electric motors are permitted.

Named after Mr. George E. Lestrange (1912-1962), a local outdoors and an avid fisherman, it is not uncommon to see Bald Eagles and Ospreys flying around the lake.

Purchased with assistance from the Florida Communities Trust's Florida Forever Program, this site will eventually connect to several miles of proposed trail along Ten Mile Creek and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.

St. Lucie County's Environmental Resources Department (ERD) has completed 21 of the 24 natural areas projects that have been acquired through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Bond approved in 1996. Roughly 7,200 acres have been acquired. Upcoming projects include: Hackberry Hammock and Citrus Hammock.

These sites are open from dawn until dusk and managed and maintained by St. Lucie County's Environmental Resources Department. For more information call the ERD staff at (772) 462-2525 or visit www.stlucieco.gov/erd.

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