The Editorial Board is pleased to see several state and local agencies coming to the rescue of an often-overlooked local treasure.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is more than just a swampy field to drive through on the way to Lake Wauburg. It's a designated National Natural Landmark and has been written about since 1774.
Since naturalists began noting its scenic beauty and variety of wildlife, the Prairie has seen some serious environmental changes in the past 200 years, some of which were for the worst.
Plants foreign to the area have moved in, and thanks to an excess of nutrients in the water, these prairie-crashing plants look like they've been swapping syringes with Jose Canseco.
Because of its recent growth spurt, the preserve is overgrown and in need of some relief to restore it to its normal, healthy state.
In response, several groups around the state are donating money to restore Paynes Prairie's natural beauty, and why shouldn't they?
The preserve is ingrained in this community's DNA, so the appropriate measures should be taken to protect Alachua County's cultural identity.
It's easy to take it for granted as you're flying by at 70 mph, but not many areas have the luxury of being right on top of a nationally recognized wildlife landmark.
The project will only take five years to restore the park to what it looked like half a century ago, and we believe that it'll be five years well worth it.
