Spanish Florida and St. Augustine Founded in 1565 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in what would become the United States. Spanish colonial efforts focused on establishing missions and fortifications to secure the territory. The lands surrounding what is now Faver-Dykes State

Early Native American Inhabitants The land now comprising Faver-Dykes State Park was once home to Native American peoples who thrived in northeast Florida for thousands of years. Archaeological sites in and around St. Augustine reveal occupation dating back at least 12,000 years, spanning the Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian peri

The Landscape and Formation Faver-Dykes State Park is situated within the St. Johns River watershed, a vast basin that supports a wide array of ecosystems. The park’s terrain is characterized by flatwoods and wetlands formed on coastal plain sediments deposited over millions of years. The region’s sandy soils, combined with periodic fires a

Introduction Nestled just west of historic St. Augustine, Florida—the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States—Faver-Dykes State Park offers visitors a rich blend of natural beauty and historical significance. This 1,203-acre state park preserves a slice of Florida’s diverse ecosystems, i

Environmental Threats Like many natural areas in Florida, Falling Waters faces several challenges: Invasive species threatening native plants Water pollution from upstream agricultural runoff Potential groundwater depletion affecting spring flow Increased visitor pressure that could degrade habitats Management Strategi