Hobe Sound Scrub Preserve is a 28-acre protected area in Martin County located south of Bridge Road between US-1 and Dixie Highway in Hobe Sound. The preserve is almost entirely sand pine scrub, one of Florida’s rarest habitat types. It sits on an ancient sand dune formed more than 100,000 years ago, offering a clear example of the region’s geological history. The area supports species that depend on scrub ecosystems, including the state-designated threatened Florida scrub jay.
Martin County identified this land as a high-priority conservation site beginning in 2008 due to the size and quality of its remaining scrub habitat. In addition, the Florida Legislature later provided funding that enabled the County to acquire the property in 2018.
The preserve includes an access road, parking area, picnic pavilion, outdoor exercise stations, and a shaded bench structure. Furthermore, visitors can explore both a flat shell-rock trail and an unimproved scrub ridge trail. These routes allow for close observation of native vegetation and wildlife typical of scrub communities. The preserve remains a local resource for passive recreation, environmental education, and long-term habitat protection.
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