Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

We’re thrilled to announce we have selected our team of trekkers for our upcoming "Strand to Slough" Expedition and documentary film! In just one month, they’ll embark on a week-long journey through critical connections in the Florida Wildlife Corridor in Southwest Florida! 🥾🌴⁠ ⁠ The Strand to Slough Expedition brings together three passionate individuals—Laura Foht, Kenton Beal, and Em Kless—who each reflect a unique connection to wild Florida. Through the lens of parents who are raising their families to connect to nature, like Laura and Kenton, the trek will highlight the urgency to conserve local connections in the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Em brings a deep expertise in youth education and nature’s healing power, and offers a dynamic, poetic approach to their stewardship ethic and connection to the natural world.⁠ ⁠ Together, they emphasize the critical role of adults in advocating for the protection of Florida’s wild spaces TODAY for the generations of tomorrow.

How does Florida wildlife respond to severe storms? ⛈️ Many species sense incoming storms through changes in atmospheric pressure and behave differently in preparation.⁠ ⁠ Terrestrial animals will hunker down and seek shelter along the forest floor.⁠ Burrows can be a great option but during intense rain and flood scenarios they may fill with water. When this happens our Gopher Tortoises and Burrowing Owls will flee their homes and seek high ground.⁠ ⁠ Many bird species are known to fly away from storms while some even fly right into them! Radar images often show birds in the eye of hurricanes, unable to escape through the eyewall. Those who don't flee will shelter in place, finding refuge in trees holding on to thick branches.⁠ After storms, wildlife often appear in unexpected places. Snakes and Alligators can be seen swimming through floodwaters, while Manatees may become stranded and need rescue. Florida Black Bears, Coyotes, and Raccoons can be seen in more urban areas in search of food left during cleanups. Hurricanes are also known for blowing birds many miles off course, with rare seabirds and Caribbean birds found after landfall in the most unlikely places in our state. ⁠

Hurricane Milton was a historic storm with impacts felt across the state. Our thoughts are with all of you, and we hope you’re safe and on the road to recovery.⁠ ⁠ The good news: We made it through two major hurricanes a week and a half apart. Florida is resilient, and together we’ll come back stronger, continuing to connect and protect the lands that sustain us.⁠ ⁠ After the storm comes hope.🌈💚⁠ ⁠ 📷️:@zfranco123

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall near Tampa Bay late Wednesday night. This storm ⁠is extremely powerful and is projected to follow the path of I-4, bringing major destruction with it.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Please spend time preparing, check in with loved ones, ⁠and follow evacuation orders. ⁠ ⁠ Keep calm and stay strong Florida💚⁠ ⁠ 📷️:@zpfranco123

Join us Saturday, October 12th from 5-6pm at Wild Space Gallery for a lively conversation featuring the Open Air artists Scott Fisher, David Waterman, Babs Reingold, and guest curator Raheem Fitzgerald moderated by our curator Noel Smith. ⁠ ⁠ In Open Air, Tampa Bay-based artists Scott Fisher, Babs Reingold, and David Waterman explore various aspects of our changing urban environment through painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Florida attracts growing numbers of new inhabitants, and while natural areas fall to development, our cities are also experiencing alterations to their topography via the construction of new roads, bridges, and buildings.⁠ ⁠ Link to rsvp: https://lnkd.in/eqgCgfmm

As we recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our partners and those in the community who have been working hard restoring power, keeping roads safe, clearing debris, and rescuing people on the frontlines. ⁠ ⁠ Your hard work and dedication to our communities during this time of need have been nothing short of inspiring. ⁠ ⁠ Stay Strong Florida💚⁠ Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Department of Transportation Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Division of Emergency Management Duke Energy Corporation Tampa Electric Florida Public Utilities Company Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, Inc. Florida Power & Light Florida Municipal Electric Association

Tropical Storm Helene is currently headed towards Florida’s Gulf Coast and is projected to make landfall on Thursday between Tallahassee and the Big Bend region. This storm is expected to strengthen into a powerful Hurricane, bringing severe winds and coastal flooding. We hope everyone is prepared and stays safe durning this storm.💚 Did you know? The White Ibis is a native wading bird known as Florida’s Hurricane Bird. Legend has it that the White Ibis is the last animal to seek shelter before a storm and is the first animal to return after the storm. As Floridians, let’s channel their resilience and stay strong.🪶 🎥:Video by Ethan Coyle

The scrublands of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, one of South Florida's oldest ecosystems, showcase a unique blend of flora and fauna shaped by fire and time. Rising 86 feet above sea level, this area has remained dry for millennia, allowing specialized species to thrive in its intense landscape. ☀ ⁠ Here, fire plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem by clearing invasive species and enriching the soil. While the scrub may initially appear inhospitable, a closer look reveals it to be teeming with life. From gopher tortoises to the Florida scrub jay—our state's only endemic bird—this vibrant landscape is essential to the Florida Wildlife Corridor.⁠ 🌿 ⁠ Read more about the wonders of the ancient coastal scrub in our new essay "Into the Scrublands of Jonathan Dickinson State Park" by our Fall 2024 Storytelling Intern Aaron Chimelis. Link: https://lnkd.in/e55JgQmP

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is launching a pilot program that rewards private landowners for maintaining and improving Florida Panther Habitat! Through the program, private landowners can be paid per acre for habitat conditions supporting panther conservation and landscape connectivity. Private lands play a critical role in providing quality habitat for this endangered species and we are excited to see the benefits this can bring to our beloved state animal. 🐈 Link: https://lnkd.in/ew84Cimd

The new Wild Space Gallery Exhibit "Open Air" will debut on Saturday, September 14th for Second Saturday Artwalk at The Factory St. Pete!⁠ ⁠ The exhibit features multimedia works from artists Scott Fisher, Babs Reingold, and David Waterman. The artists explore various aspects of our changing urban environment in painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Florida attracts growing numbers of new inhabitants, and while natural areas fall to development, our cities are also experiencing alterations to their topography.⁠ ⁠ Open Air is collaboratively curated by Raheem Fitzgerald, Tony Palms, and Noel Smith. ⁠ ⁠ Link to RSVP for free: https://lnkd.in/eYia37cr See you next Saturday from 5-9pm!☁️