Welcome to Natural Area Park and NATL and Its Nature Trails NATL’s Nature Trails Natural Area Park is a part of NATL developed in cooperation with the Florida Museum of Natural History. Except when K-12 groups visiting the nearby museums are picnicking here , it provides a quiet, natural setting where visitors to the Cultural Plaza can take the weight off their feet or learn about trees native to this part of Florida . (Signs identify 24 species and tell something of their economic and cultural importance.) NATL: A Living Lab for Education Natural Area Teaching Laboratory NATL (pronounced “NA-tal”) was founded in 1994 to provide an on-campus site for teaching students and the public about ecology and biological diversity.  NATL has three ecosystems characteristic of uplands in north peninsular Florida: hammock, upland pine, and old-field succession.  It also has a large retention basin (SEEP) and several other wetlands. A large panel (on the other side of this kiosk) and a pamphlet (available below) give additional information about NATL. Walking the Nature Trails As shown by the map above, NATL has four nature trails. One goes across and around the SEEP wetland and the other three are through NATL’s principal upland ecosystems. Take the SEEP trail from here: The SEEP Trail starts at the kiosk next to the four-board fence, crosses the wetland on a boardwalk, and returns here on a path around the deep-water part of SEEP—a distance of about 0.7 miles. Accessing the other three trails: Each of the other trails is about one-quarter mile long and can be reached by crossing SEEP on its boardwalk or from the pathway leading south from the Florida Museum of Natural History. Please Remember: You are welcome to walk any trail in NATL's public area. Take care not to disturb the subjects or the stakes at the points of interest along the nature trails. Your chances of viewing wildlife will improve if you remain quiet. Please do not disturb any markers or equipment you encounter. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Please return trail guides when you are finished with them. Enjoy! Development of NATL’s nature trails was funded by a grant from student-generated CITF funds. Students use NATL’s natural diversity for a variety of classes and studies. Two ecology students make measurements in SEEP’s pool. An entomology class takes a field trip to capture insects.