The Story of Jones Swamp Nature Preserve & PBT's Role

With funding support from both private and government agencies, the 1300-acre Jones Swamp Eco-system, with its rich diversity of wildlife and rare plants, was secured by Escambia County as part of the Northwest Florida Greenway that extends eastward to Apalachicola. Protection of Jones swamp is part of Florida’s aggressive move to salvage and restore the integrity of its rivers, bays and aquifers and is intended for low-impact recreational use only.

In a mutually beneficial arrangement with Escambia county, PBT serves as stewards, managing a 4.5 acre portal to the planned hiking trails in the Jones Swamp Preserve. The facilities now serve a dual purpose as Native Paths Cultural Heritage Museum and Environmental Education Center. We think of our role as Indian Heritage people committed to being active participants with local government in our greater community.

Through our long relationship with Three Rivers RC&D and the USDA/NRCS, we have the resources available to bring expertise and leadership to the promise of Jones Swamp. We are grateful for the support, expertise, and participation of other groups within the community as well. The Santa Rosa Master Garderners recently conducted a workshop on indigenous plants for our volunteers and we look forward to their assistance in the future.

Following the oil-spill disaster of 2010, PBT applied for and received from the USDA/NRCS, official designation of Jones Swamp as a Migratory Bird Sanctuary. In 2011, PBT applied for and won major grant to from the Rockefeller Foundation to facilitate our planned programs. Within the framework of honoring the attitudes of our southeastern Indian ancestors toward the wise use of our natural resources, PBT envisions a multitude of environmental projects that can enhance and expand the value of the Jones Swamp Preserve as a place of learning and enjoyment for residents and visitors to northwest Florida.

Native Paths Cultural Heritage Museum
& Environmental Education Center

3300 Beloved Path
Pensacola, FL  32507
850.453.7382
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm