- Nature Coast
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Map of Florida's Nature Coast
The Nature Coast is a region of the U.S. state of Florida. It comprises the inside curve or Big Bend area of the western coast of the state and encompasses Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Jefferson, Pasco, Levy, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. This region of Florida is culturally partially southern, with the Deep South culture extending to Levy County with the lower southern end (Pasco, Hernando, and sometimes Citrus county) often considered part of the Tampa Bay Metropolian Area. Pasco County is sometimes considered part of the Sun Coast.
Contents
The history of the Nature Coast
The origin of the name "The Nature Coast": Devised in 1991 as part of a marketing campaign to lure vacationers to the nine county area, the name "Nature Coast" caught on quickly and describes the area formally known as the "Big Bend" of Florida. St. Petersburg Times article, St. Petersburg Times - Feb 23, 1994
Wildlife and Nature
Activities common in this area are: hunting, fishing, boating, bird watching, nature hiking and the like. Snorkeling spots are found in the rivers along the Nature Coast. Also diving and Manatee tours, predominate in areas such as Crystal River, Homosassa and Homosassa Springs.
The Naturecoast is home to wildlife such as: Deer, wild pigs, roseate spoonbills, alligators, raccoons, opossums, snakes, great blue herons, egrets, turtles and countless others, including at least 19 endangered species.
Additional information and facts about The Nature Coast
The NatureCoast covers 8 different counties and 1 partial county (Dunnellon is a part of Marion County). It encompasses 980,000 acres (4,000 km2). There are also 50 Golf Courses located within these counties
Culture
Citrus
- Crystal River Archaeological State Park
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
- Crystal River Preserve State Park
- Hitters Hall of Fame
- Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Lake Rousseau
- Ted Williams Baseball Museum
- Withlacoochee State Trail
- Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Historic Site
Hernando
- The Heritage Museum
- Weeki Wachee Springs
- Nature Coast Botanical Gardens
Jefferson
Levy
- Cedar Key Museum State Park
- Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
- Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
- Fanning Springs State Park
- Manatee Springs State Park
- Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park
- Goethe State Forest
- Devil's Hammock Wildlife Management Area
Marion
Pasco
- Pioneer Florida Museum
Taylor
Wakulla
- Bald Point State Park
- Bradwell Bay Wilderness
- Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
- Ochlockonee River State Park
- San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail State Park
External links
- http://www.nmia.com/~allwayst/Florida'sNatureCoastSteinhatchee.html
- http://naturecoastcoalition.com/index.htm The Visual Spectrum (Publishers)
References
- Robert Painter, Writer & Photographer (1995)
- information provided from State Of Florida and department of tourism (2006)
- Literature from the Homossassa State Park, brochures and pamphlets (2005-2007)
- Citrus County Chamber and Naturecoast Chambers Of Commerce including information and literature provided by: Cedar Key Chamber, Citrus County Chamber, Dixie County Chamber, Dunnellon Area Chamber, Greater Dade City Chamber, Greater Hernando County Chamber, Perry-Taylor Chamber, Wakulla County Chamber Historical Wakulla County Courthouse (records and information), West Pasco Chamber, Citrus County Tourist Development Council, Levy County Development Authority and Economic Development Council, Hernando County Tourist Development Council, Wakulla County, Taylor County, literature and information (2004-2006)
Categories:- Regions of Florida
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