Over 160 years ago, on private land owned by a state politician, the University of Florida had its beginnings. Flushed with trees and natural wildlife that surrounded a wooden school hall, the acres were verdant and lush. But with ever more students and buildings, that green space has shrunk to a handful of pockets scattered throughout campus.
McCarty Woods is a 2.9-acre forest in the heart of Gainesville s main University of Florida campus. It has been open for community recreational use for over 40 years, and since at least 2000, has been designated conservation land, protected from development through rounds of university growth plans.