#Nature

Once a century-old abandoned limestone quarry, it is now a thriving and biodiverse sanctuary. Through guided restoration, it shows how natural systems can be revived and sustained.

Vast systems of underground limestone and dolostone in the Florida Aquifer, one of the most productive in the world, span multiple states and supply freshwater to millions of people, including the garden. Water rises naturally through the limestone and feeds a network of ponds and waterfalls. These water levels respond to rainfall from miles away, creating a dynamic, self-sustaining cycle.

The landscape is defined by towering southern live oaks, some estimated to be 300 to 700 years old. These trees can draw up to 50 gallons of water per day and play a crucial role in maintaining soil stability and groundwater regulation. Cleverly hidden pumps also help recirculate water through irrigation lines and fountains, reinforcing the natural flow while maintaining beauty.

This consistent supply of clean, oxygen-rich water has allowed local biodiversity to flourish. The gardens are home to more than 40 bird species, along with turtles, fish, frogs, snakes, lizards, deer, bobcats, foxes, and a variety of pollinators. The fact that amphibians, which are highly sensitive to environmental toxins, are thriving here is a strong indicator of water quality and ecosystem health. Hundreds of bats occupy four dedicated bat houses, offering natural pest control while supporting Florida’s declining bat populations.

Cedar Lakes has extended its conservation efforts beyond the core garden area. The surrounding 64 acres of woodland were donated to Conservation Florida to support habitat preservation and wildlife corridor connectivity. Plans are underway for a Conservation Education Center that will teach visitors about Florida’s aquifers, native species, and the science of ecological restoration.

Community members and visitors contribute directly to conservation efforts through citizen science. By using apps like eBird or Merlin Bird ID, they can report wildlife sightings and environmental changes. These observations help track species presence and offer insight into seasonal water fluctuations and habitat trends.

More than a beautiful place to explore, Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is a living classroom that demonstrates how ecological knowledge, careful stewardship, and public involvement can restore damaged land into a healthy, sustainable ecosystem.

Please consider checking out their official site or donating to support them.

These formations are part of the Anastasia Formation, dating back to the Late Pleistocene Epoch, when powerful coastal forces shaped this region’s geology.

The coquina at Washington Oaks formed in a high-energy beach environment, where constant wave action broke down shells and compacted them into a porous, durable stone.

Though relatively soft when first formed, coquina hardens over time, which is why the outcroppings along the park’s shoreline have resisted erosion and remain exposed today.

These weathered formations create shallow tidal pools that support crabs, sea snails, and small marine life.

Because large coquina outcroppings are rare on Florida’s Atlantic coast, the beach at Washington Oaks is both geologically significant and visually dramatic. It's a protected area, so visitors are asked not to disturb or collect the rock.

Learn more at the Florida State Parks website.

The striations are vertical bands of lighter-colored rock that slice through the darker granite and gneiss that make up much of the canyon walls. These striations are particularly visible along the Painted Wall, the tallest cliff in Colorado, standing at about 2,250 feet. The contrast between the dark base rock and the lighter striations creates a striking visual effect, reminiscent of brushstrokes on a massive canvas.

The striations of Black Canyon are unique due to their composition and formation process. The bands are composed primarily of pegmatite, a type of igneous rock that is lighter in color and coarser-grained than the surrounding dark granite and gneiss. Pegmatite forms when molten rock cools slowly deep underground, allowing larger crystals to develop. The resulting bands appear lighter and more reflective, standing out distinctly against the darker rock.

Formation

The formation of the striations is a story that dates back over 1.7 billion years. The base rock of Black Canyon is some of the oldest exposed rock in North America. Over eons, tectonic activity caused magma to push up into cracks within the pre-existing granite and gneiss. As the magma cooled and solidified, it formed the pegmatite intrusions that now streak down the walls of the canyon.

Over time, the region was uplifted by geological forces, exposing these ancient formations to the surface. The Gunnison River then took over, carving the canyon through relentless erosion over approximately two million years. The river's power combined with the harder, more erosion-resistant pegmatite left behind the dramatic striations, contrasting with the smoother erosion of the surrounding rock.

For more, checkout the official Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park website.