Amberjack Environmental Park is a 225-acre preserve made up of rare and unique scrub, pine flatwoods, marshes, and other beautiful natural areas, located on the southern half of the Cape Haze peninsula. Amberjack is predominantly oak scrub and scrubby flatwoods habitats. These xeric areas, found almost exclusively in Florida, are located near the coast or natural creeks, and are the remains of prehistoric dunes.
Common plants seen there are dwarf, tangled-looking sand live and myrtle oaks, palmetto, slash pine, rusty lyonia, and wiregrass. A family of Florida scrub-jays lives in the northern part of the park, while gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, and the Florida mouse - all protected animals - also live in these dry habitats, and ospreys can often been seen in flight overhead.
Amberjack Environmental Park is traversed by two significant wetlands, one that formed the headwaters of a tributary to the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve and one that drains into the west branch of Coral Creek. They are havens for several species of wading birds, including great blue herons, glossy ibis, roseate spoonbills, and snowy egrets. A centrally-located wet prairie serves as a very important refuge and breeding ground for amphibians. Many different wildflowers can be seen blooming year-round in these habitats.
Amberjack Environmental Park
6450 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Rotonda, FL 33947
Phone: 941.613.3220