Hidden away among pine trees, palmettos and tidal wetlands of Florida's northern border with Georgia is the exclusive White Oak Plantation, a sanctuary for numerous species of endangered wildlife and a centre for the arts. Originally a private estate owned by Howard Gilman - whose grandfather, Isaac Gilman, was to the US paper industry what the Rockefellers were to oil and Andrew Carnegie to steel - the plantation has now become a refuge for endangered species, and other more exotic species in need of care. With the guidance of conservationist John Lukas, White Oak has become perhaps the most exclusive conservation facility in the world, home to more than three dozen species of endangered and threatened animals, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, kept in a secluded 600-acre section at the heart of the estate.
The centre's success can be measured by its remarkable record for producing young among rare species, some of which have been brought here after strenuous efforts to promote their breeding elsewhere have failed. Over the years, in addition to a regular stream of business clients, Howard Gilman invited many dancers and performing artists to spend time on the estate. In 1991, he built a spectacular glass-and-pine studio at White Oak for Mikhail Baryshnikov, to whom he became a close friend and protector after the dancer defected to the USA.
Other high profile guests to White Oak have included Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton and Al Gore. When Isabella Rossellini first visited the plantation she was astounded: 'White Oak was like a Garden of Eden, a sort of Utopia.' And there is an element of unspoilt paradise about this 7,500-acre former rice plantation, straddling St Mary's River.In contrast to Florida's more usual fare of sun, sand, sea and garish theme parks, this is a place to savour an environment that isn't about the instant gratification of the human race at the expense of other species. As far as Howard Gilman was concerned, White Oak was 'a place of peaceful yet productive contemplation' for people and activities he cared about.

Accommodation is now available to corporate guests who also have access to the facilities once at the disposal of the Gilman family's guests. These include a nine-hole golf course, a gym, facilities for water sports, horseback riding, swimming, tennis and sporting clays. The accommodation comprises a series of simply furnished lodges, cottages and apartments, what makes them unique is the collection of art and antiques they contain. Part of the estate's most precious collection, one of early photography, is held at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. But numerous other works of art and precious artefacts are housed at White Oak. Corporate guests aside, performing artists will still be encouraged to attend workshops and retreats at White Oak through grants from the Conference & Residency Center.The Roseland Lodge contains antique Navajo wall-hangings, Sioux Indian beadwork and Santa Clara pottery line the rooms. The Old Lodge contains a collection of antique decoy ducks, power horns, flint-lock weapons and Delft china. In contrast at the entrance to the Big Game Hall and the Great Hall are 17th-century Flemish tapestries. Inside guests are served at a bar dominated by a giant Tiffany skylight, recovered from the former Kellogg estate of Battlecreek, Michigan.

Amelia Island, seven miles away from White Oak, offers a variety of accommodation including:

Florida House Inn(00 1 904 261 3300; www.floridahouseinn.com). £

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge(00 1 04 277 4851; www.elizabethpointlodge.com). £

The White Oak Conservation Centre is now home to more than three-dozen species of endangered and threatened animals kept in a secluded 600-acre section at the heart of the estate. While some of White Oak's most unique wildlife are birds, such as the ferocious, giant cassowaries, the majority of the species at the centre are mammals. Species include black and white rhinoceros, Grevy's Zebra, giraffe, okapi and cheetah. Groups who would like to sample a taste of what White Oak has kept long hidden can sign up for a limited number of private tours of the conservation centre. Tours are subject to availability, 00 1 904 225 3200.

For more information on White Oak, visit www.giconline.org.

Florida gets a lot of rain in summer. Visit the state in December, but go early to avoid the Christmas holiday traffic.