in Florida, but can be "very fossiliferous" in other areas. Flora The state park protects the habitat of four rare species of pitcher plants—the parrot, purple, red, and trumpet-leaf—along the wetland areas. It also protects the habitats of other plant species, including the flame azalea, the mountain laurel, and the longleaf pine, while simultaneously preserving 40+ acres of historic turpentine woodlands. Plants found in the upland portions include rhododendron, red chokeberry, milkweed, hickory, huckleberry, blazing star, aster, oaks, pines, and blueberry. Ponce De León Springs served 111.775 acres of exotic plant species from 2001 to 2011, some invasive. The gravest incidences of invasive exotic flora, including cogon grass, wisteria, Chinese tallow trees, and Chinese privet, occurred around 2006 in the northern area of the park, but continuous treatments quelled the infestation. The effects of a later infestation of the Japanese climbing fern in the southern region of the park was minimized by swift action from park staff. Fauna The park is home to a variety of animals, including the gopher tortoise, turkey, fox, white-tailed deer, beaver, bobcat, otter, and various native and migratory birds. Fish species include catfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and panfish. Some species labeled “nuisance animals” are the armadillo, feral hog, and American alligators. When rooting by armadillos or feral hogs is spotted on park property, park staff may start trapping those animals, as this rooting can damage restored flora-filled slopes. Alligators may prove to be a nuisance if they have frequent contact with park visitors. Signage in the park notifies the public of the alligators’ presence, the dangers of feeding them, and other safety concerns. Conservancy The park contains a multitude of species classed by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory as critically imperiled, or listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as endangered, threatened or of special concern. Many of the park's plant species, such as pitcher plants, orchids and, butterworts, can be considered imperiled species, as although they were not recorded prior to the restoration of this natural park community, have in many ways recovered due to recent restoration efforts. Restoration efforts are crucial to the reintroduction and/or survival of these particular species, with appropriate fire and hydrological regimes pertinent to restoration efforts. For example, the Red Pitcher plant was reintroduced to the park in 2010 after multiple active