White Oak Plantation

White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee, Florida

White Oak Plantation, in Northeast Florida, United States, is a privately owned, funded and operated nature and conservation center. The plantation spans 7400 acres and straddles the Florida and Georgia border along the St. Mary's River in Yulee, Florida (Nassau County). This beautiful, secluded property is owned by the family of the late billionaire Howard Gilman, heir to the Gilman Paper Company.

6500 acres of White Oak Plantation are wetlands, pine forests and riparian zones. Since the Plantation straddles Florida and Georgia, part of the forest is actually in Southeastern Georgia.

Of the 7400 acres, more than 500 acres are dedicated to the White Oak Conservation Center, which is a preserve home to 60 threatened and endangered animal species. Most of the rare wildlife at the White Oak Conservation Center are part of the Species Survival Plan program coordinated by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The animals behavior and lifestyles are studied in a natural environment and the Species Survival Plans are designed to aid in the preservation of threatened and endangered wildlife for years in the future.

The property is not open to the public, and its exclusive facilities are host to a select few VIP guests on their vacations to the area. Such notable names as Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Isabella Rossellini, Annie Leibowitz, Bruce Webber, Patricia Cornwell, Martina Navratilova, Snoop Dogg, and Al Gore have all been guests at the White Oak Plantation.

White Oak Plantation has a beautiful private 9-hole golf course for its guests to enjoy, as well as a gym, water sports facilities, bowling ally, horseback riding, tennis and much more. Each of the cottages, lodges, and apartments contain precious art and antiques.

Private tours of the White Oak Conservation Center are available in limited number, and are subject to availability. Please call their offices at 904-225-3200 for more information.