The Ortega River flows into the St. Johns River

The Ortega River flows into the St. Johns River

The City of Jacksonville has identified the

Ortega River floodplain

as a conservation and restoration priority

to help protect and enhance water quality within the St. Johns River.

2004 St Johns WMD report

Water Quality

The Ortega River is home to bald eagles and endangered species such as

manatees and sturgeons.

Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife Habitat

Bald eagles live along the Ortega River

Wildlife Habitat

169 Manatees have been sighted

in the Ortega River Basin

Wildlife Habitat

Shortnose Sturgeon

swim along the Ortega River

Urban development continues to threaten the ecological balance of the

Jacksonville area.

The recent I-295 expansion

removed 24 acres of wetlands

and is generating more runoff.

Water Quality

Recent I-295 expansion

Roads generate 9 times more runoff

than a natural area of the same size.

There is some good news.

Much of the land bordering the Ortega has been converted to conservation (CSV)

class land use to protect the Ortega.

The Ortega 80 Preserve would continue this effort.

Water Quality

Ortega River conservation land and the proposed Ortega 80 Preserve (green).

The Ortega Preserve Trust would protect 2,400 feet of Ortega riverfront.

The Ortega 80 Trust would help preserve the ecological balance in this area.

Ortega 80 Preserve Trust

If we don’t act this land will become part of the urban sprawl.

Water quality may worsen and another wildlife habitat will disappear.

Water Quality