As a conservation cemetery, we are dedicated to protecting and taking care of the land
Our Partnership
Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery (PCCC) partners with Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) to manage, protect, and restore the land for all living things. ACT is an accredited nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting natural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources in and around north central FL. PCCC's 93 acres are a part of ACT's 606 acre Prairie Creek Preserve. ACT maintains a conservation easement with Alachua County which prevents the land from development in perpetuity while ensuring public access.
The land
Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery is a natural and wild space. Here you will find shady forests, breezy meadows, and all kinds of wildlife that call this place home. PCCC is a open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk for visitation and passive recreation including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more. A map of trails through the cemetery and the larger Prairie Creek Preserve can be found here.
Forest
The hardwood forest found at PCCC is considered a “mesic hammock”. Here you will find many hardwood trees including live oaks, pignut hickories, southern magnolias, winged elms, red oaks, and sweetgums. An abundance of wildlife can be spotted in these woods including pileated woodpeckers, deer, skinks, red-shouldered hawks, and even bobcats! Tucked away in our wooded areas you will also find several cypress wetlands. These are active hubs for wildlife supporting many species of amphibians and wading birds.
Meadow
The meadow ecosystem here at PCCC consists of a variety of native grasses and wildflowers. The restored areas of the meadow include lopsided Indiangrass, yellow Indiangrass, muhly grass, wiregrass, black-eyed susans, spiderwort, and more. In 2021 we are starting a new restoration project in the meadow to introduce native milkweed in the cemetery to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators. This area supports a rich diversity of wildlife such as gopher tortoises, hummingbirds, snakes, and many species of insects. It is a great area to spot birds flying overhead including hawks, kites, and bald eagles.
Restoration
Restoration is an ongoing project here at PCCC. Prior to the cemetery, the land was used extensively for cattle grazing and other damaging practices. We are working closely with our partner ACT to restore the land to its native and natural state. This involves the removal of exotic plants, planting natives, using prescribed fire in the meadow, and sometimes removing overabundant hardwoods to increase the health and diversity of our forests. If you are interested in being involved with the restoration, consider joining our volunteer team or checking out our events page for scheduled planting events and volunteer work days!
Support the restoration!
Restoring the land is a costly and time consuming project. Please consider donating to help us restore the land for all!
