Brooker Creek Preserve

{{Short description|Park in the US}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Brooker Creek Preserve

| alt_name =

| iucn_category =

| photo = Trail Bridge.JPG

| photo_alt =

| photo_caption = A trail bridge built by Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.

| photo_width =

| map = USA Florida

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| map_width =

| location = Pinellas County, Florida

| nearest_city = Tarpon Springs, Florida

| coordinates = {{coord|28.1092|-82.665|region:US-FL|display=inline, title}}

| area = {{convert|9800|acre|km2}}

| established = 1992

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| governing_body = Southwest Florida Water Management District

| world_heritage_site =

| url = http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/

}}

Brooker Creek Preserve is located in Pinellas County, Florida, owned by the Pinellas County government and the Southwest Florida Water Management District,[http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/brookercreekpreserve.html State Recreation Areas] and managed by the Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department. It encompasses 8,700 acres{{Cite web |title=Pinellas County Florida -Brooker Creek Preserve |url=https://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.brookercreekpreserve.org}} (35km2) and offers birding, horseback riding, and hiking. The Preserve office is located at 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, Florida,[http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/ Official Brooker Creek Preserve Website].

The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center features displays and interactive exhibits about Florida natural history and local history. Educational and interpretive programs are offered for the public.

Aboriginal History

"Native people hunted and gathered here for thousands of years, leaving behind spear points that date from 7000 BCE to 900 CE."[http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/pagesHTM/about/abt5000.htm Brooker Creek Preserve History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014161221/http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/pagesHTM/about/abt5000.htm |date=October 14, 2010 }} The most recent aboriginal tribe to occupy the land that encompasses the Brooker Creek Preserve was the Tocobaga tribe. The Tocobaga declined in the 17th century and became extinct in the 18th century due to disease and violence.[http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/tocobag/tocobag1.htm Tocobaga Indians of Tampa Bay], Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers.

Gallery

Photos added here are from the nature trail near the education center.

File:Brooker creek nature walkway.jpg|Brooker creek nature walkway

File:Brooker creek nature walk.jpg|Brooker creek nature walk

See also

References

{{Reflist}}