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The Robert W. Loftin Nature Trails

Named for the Distinguished ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Professor Robert W. Loftin, the trails at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ continue to foster his memory while protecting over 500 acres of natural habitat. Today three main trails and two loop connector trails are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.

Encouraged by campus planner Hilton Meadows, the first President of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ, Thomas G. Carpenter applied to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for campus designation as a state protected Bird Sanctuary to control hunting around campus. This designation continues to protect hundreds of acres and millions of organisms on ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ campus.

Robert Loftin along with the Sawmill Slough Conservation Club, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ faculty, staff and community members established our original 12 mile nature trail system on campus. In early 1973 they were opened to the public and by 1977 were recognized as National Recreation Trails, listed by the Department of the Interior. Today the remaining 5 miles of trails are complemented with interpretive education signs and are maintained for environmental education, research and low impact recreation. The ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ has one of the best natural assets of any Florida university. All policies and regulations are designed to protect the integrity of this site.

The Sawmill Slough Preserve

A three-hundred acre natural area on campus was designated as a preserve in May 2006 by ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ President John Delaney. The Sawmill Slough Preserve includes the original Sawmill Slough, a wetland habitat stretching through the western portion of the campus from Central Parkway to J Turner Butler Boulevard. In addition to the wetland, small areas of drier habitat including some longleaf pine-turkey oak woodlands may be found in the Preserve.

The stated purpose of the Preserve is to "assure that the Sawmill Slough Preserve will persist in a natural condition." The Preserve will protect the natural water drainage of the slough through campus as well as the native plants and animals associated with this habitat. The Preserve is a great place for a quiet hike or to view wildlife.

The curator of the Sawmill Slough Preserve is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of natural habitats in the Preserve and restoration of natural habitats where required. The Curator coordinates activities in the Preserve and represents the Natural Assets Management Plan in the Preserve. The position reports to the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Environmental Advisory Council. For more information please contact the Curator at w.smith@unf.edu or (904) 620-4261.

Goldenrod Trail

This 2.85 mile trail traverses the gambit of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ habitats; from Swamp to Sand-hill, Flatwoods to Seepage Slope. Named for the goldenrod flowers that bloom in the Fall season, this single track provides good cover for birding and occupies a transition zone between swamp and sand-hill. This trail overlaps the Blueberry Trail at times.

Blueberry Trail

This 1.44 mile trail guides you around Lake Oneida, through pine Flatwoods and the deep swamp, overlapping the Goldenrod Trail at times. Blueberries are abundant here which feed bird, deer, both residents and migratory species as well. This trail also has permanent exercise stations for you to maintain a good work out.

Gopher Tortoise Ridge

This .78 mile sandy trail is home to a healthy Gopher Tortoise population. These land dwelling tortoises live over 60 years and provide underground homes to countless reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.

Big Cyprus Trail

Connecting the Goldenrod and Blueberry trail, this .47 mile loop passes by one of the grandfather Cypress Trees that lives on campus. The Cypress Tree is estimated to be over 500 years old.

Red Maple Boardwalk

Originally built in the late 1970’s, restored in 2017, this 0.31 mile trail is wheel chair accessible,1600 feet long, and traverses Buck Head Branch Swamp.Sitting areas and interpretive signs guide you through this quiet and beautiful wetland.