Fisheating Creek Preserving a Special Place in Florida's Final Frontier

The Fisheating Creek ecosystem is located just west of Lake Okeechobee within a region referred to as Florida's Final Frontier. This interior region of central Florida from south of Orlando to north of the Everglades is one of the last large areas not yet impacted by the urban sprawl of Florida's massive growth machine.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has stated that its strategic location makes Fisheating Creek important to the long-term welfare of the Florida Panther, Florida black bear, Swallow-tailed kite, whooping and sandhill cranes, crested Caracara and a number of other species native to the region. Regarding the scenic beauty of Fisheating Creek, the FWC states that “The shaded, winding, Fisheating Creek corridor, with its black water, bald cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks and other attendant vegetation, represents an outstanding native landscape - one that has become uncommon in this part of the State.” The author describes the abundant and unique natural resources found in the Fisheating Creek Ecosystem, identifies some of the development pressures which threatened it, and current programs available to preserve it. His hope is that increased awareness of this beautiful and unique area may result in preservation of remaining unprotected portions of the Fisheating Creek Ecosystem while there is still time.