Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

We’re excited to announce Connectivity101 — a free, online course developed with our partners in the Wildlife Connect Initiative with technical support from UNDP Learning for Nature! Register for the course to learn about conserving and restoring ecological connectivity to support a healthy planet.    WWF, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Register here: https://lnkd.in/dwQB45CY 

Lens & Land: Stories of Conservation 📷️🌿⁠ ⁠ Join us on Wednesday, July 31, at 6 p.m. for Lens & Land: Stories of Conservation, a panel discussion for the Connect & Protect exhibit. Hear from two photographers and featured multi-generational landowner conservationists.⁠ ⁠ In the spirit of Cody Johnson's song "Dirt Cheap," which celebrates the simplicity and value of hard work and dedication to the land, our panelists will share their experiences, challenges, and successes in land stewardship and when photographing the properties now in permanent conservation status. ⁠ ⁠ Topics of Discussion:⁠ ⁠ The importance of land conservation⁠ Sustainable farming and ranching practices⁠ Overcoming challenges in land management⁠ The role of community and collaboration in protecting natural resources⁠ How photographing these properties is essential for storytelling and ongoing conservation efforts⁠ ⁠ Featured Panelists:⁠ ⁠ Lori Schirard Grubb and J. Brantley Schirard, Landowners & Conservationists⁠ Lauren Y. Yoho, Conservation Photographer⁠ George McKenzie JR, Conservation Photographer⁠ ⁠ RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/e6YQ92Jt ⁠ Wild Space Gallery, 2606 Fairfield Avenue South Bldg 7 St. Petersburg, FL 33712⁠ ⁠ Photos of Grubb Ranch by George McKenzie JR / Wildpath

Clemons Oak Creek was recently approved for a conservation easement at the June 12, 2024, meeting of the Governor and Cabinet through the Florida Forever Program. The 1,801-acre property is in Okeechobee County and within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The property is also in the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape. Thank you to the landowners, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Keith Fountain Law for coming together to protect this land. Clemons Oak Creek is used as a working land for cattle, watermelon crops, sod production, and wildlife management. The property contains the headwaters of Oak Creek and two creeks that flow into Kissimmee River, which are protected through flowage easements. The land provides habitat for Florida burrowing owls, gopher tortoises, crested caracara, and more. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Photos by Lauren Y. / Wildpath Map by Angeline Meeks, Live Wildly Foundation

Only 8 days left to submit your application to be a trekker during our fall expedition! If you or someone you know is an adventurous Floridian in Collier, Lee, Hendry, or Glades counties, keep reading. If you know someone with an authentic and deep connection to the natural and cultural heritage of southwest Florida, this may be an opportunity for them! This fall, we are set to embark on a new Expedition through critical connections in southwest Florida. From November 15-22, the “Strand to Slough” Expedition will explore the southwestern edge of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The Expedition will involve a multi-day journey of hiking, biking, and paddling through private and public lands vital to conserving Corridor connectivity. Family heritage, community connection, and spiritual significance are the types of mission ties we seek in Expedition Trekkers. The Expedition will be filmed and photographed to document the journey and develop a short film about the experience. Our previous Expeditions have resulted in award-winning films that amplify our mission to connect, protect, and restore the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Want to learn more? You can find full Trekker requirements and application instructions at the link below. Restrictions may apply. https://lnkd.in/eDkK3hGZ 📸: Alex Freeze

After an incredible year as an intern, I am thrilled to announce that I am starting a full-time position as Content Coordinator for the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation! I really appreciate everyone who has followed along so far, the support and interest in my work really means a lot to me. I would also like to give a huge thanks to everyone at the Corridor Foundation for believing in me and giving me the resources to grow and thrive as a photographer, writer, and communications professional. This really is a dream come true and I’m excited to continue to advocate for a connected wild Florida!

We're hiring! The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation is seeking a seasoned and strategic leader to oversee and implement our urgent corridor conservation program. This role will work closely with regional and local agencies, conservation organizations and the private sector. The Conservation Director will convene and collaborate with key partners around time sensitive challenges to connectivity, co-developing tactical solutions with partners in local geographies identified as urgent corridor priorities. Success will depend on the ability to assess and adapt; you will be expected to track progress, collective effort, and changes in connectivity threats. This role will stand up and oversee a small team and work closely with core partner organizations. Full job description and application instructions linked below: https://lnkd.in/e-GgKJZr

Heartland Wildlife Corridor Florida Forever Project – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch has been newly approved for a conservation easement through Florida Forever at the June 12 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. The property is a 1,977-acre cattle ranch within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and Highlands County. Thank you to the landowner, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Keith Fountain Law for coming together to make this conservation easement possible. Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch is a working cattle ranch that is located south of Highlands Hammock State Park. The ranch is part of the Heartland Wildlife Corridor project, which will create a contiguous corridor of conservation lands along the western edge of Lake Wales Ridge. The ranch contains the headwaters of Fisheating Creek, which flows into Lake Okeechobee. Habitat for the Florida burrowing owl, swallow-tailed kite, Florida panther, sandhill crane, southeastern fox squirrel, and many other species is protected through the conservation of this land. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Photos by Lauren Y. / Wildpath Map by Angeline Meeks, Live Wildly Foundation

Myakka Ranchlands Florida Forever Project – Quail Creek Ranch is a 2,650-acre property within the Florida Wildlife Corridor that was recently approved for a conservation easement through the Florida Forever Program at the June 12 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. Thank you to the landowners, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Conservation Group for coming together to protect this land. Quail Creek Ranch is a working landscape for cattle within Hardee County. The ranch is located between the Myakka River and Peace River watersheds and contains the headwaters of Owen Creek, a tributary of the Myakka River. The land provides habitat for gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, fox squirrels, white-tailed deer, and more. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FLORIDA CONSERVATION GROUP INC, Photos 1, 3, and 5 by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath, Photos 2 and 4 by Carlton Ward Jr / Wildpath Map by Angeline Meeks, Live Wildly Foundation

In the face of advancing development, conserving the Florida Wildlife Corridor will require every tool in the toolbox. A fantastic article by Joshua Daskin, Ph.D. and Jen Guyton explains how payment for ecosystem services programs can be a powerful conservation tool: https://lnkd.in/ep3z7ntX Photos by our talented photography intern, Ethan Coyle!

The 5,700–acre Deer Creek Ranch Florida Forever Project, located in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, was recently approved for a conservation easement through Florida Forever at the June 12 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. Thank you to the landowner, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Conservation Group for coming together to conserve this property. Deer Creek Ranch is a working cattle ranch within DeSoto County. Protection of the property will help ensure the water quality of the Peace River watershed. Deer Creek Ranch provides crucial habitat and connectivity for many species including Florida scrub jay, gopher tortoise, Florida burrowing owls, sandhill cranes, and other wildlife. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Conservation Group, Photos 1-3, 5-6 by Lauren Y./Wildpath, Photo 4 by Drew McDougall/Wildpath Map by Angeline Meeks, Live Wildly Foundation