Perched 85 feet above sea level on top of Hobe Mountain in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Benji Studt points his camera east to capture everything he loves about this slice of wild Florida.
Hobe Mountain is the highest point in South Florida and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Jupiter Island, the Indian River Lagoon and the coastal dunes.
“When you look through the viewfinder, you can hardly speak,” said Studt, a conservation biologist. “I am amazed at the beauty of this place.”
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is home to 16 natural communities spanning 10,000 acres and is home to 150 species of birds, including the endangered Florida scrub jay.
Audubon Florida estimates that there are 130 scrub jays living in the park.
“It’s Florida’s only endemic bird, meaning it’s only found here and nowhere else in the world,” Studt said. “In my career, I’ve seen these birds exterminated 30 miles south of here, and now this is the southernmost population of these birds.”
Studt led WPTV’s Joe Fisher deep into the park to showcase the diverse ecosystem along the desert-like sand plains of the bushland.
The ancient pine, he said, provides protection for the endangered red-throated woodpecker, which park rangers have successfully reintroduced into the park.
“The mere fact that these species are here tells us that this land is incredibly productive and incredibly pristine,” he said.
Studt opposes Florida’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which proposed building three golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The plan has since been withdrawn after strong opposition.
“I just picture all these rolling hills with irrigation lines and pumps all over them, and golf cart paths,” Studt said. “It hits me. It hurts me.”
Dawn Donaldson, who lives on the same street as the park entrance, protested against any future development in the park.
“I bring everyone I love here to experience the real Florida,” Donaldson said. “I enjoy the wildlife that comes from the park into my yard. We have foxes. I’ve had a bobcat drink from my bird feeder.”
With a height of 26 meters, the aim is to convey the message that it is worth dying on the highest hill in South Florida, the municipality said.
“We can’t lose this,” Donaldson said. “There aren’t many places like this left.”
Scripps Content Only 2024
