by TRC_Admin | Apr 27, 2023 | Environmental, Nature
Photo: Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation Operation Connect Page
“The O2O Expedition featured three veterans from three branches of military who undertook a 57-mile exploration of the Florida Wildlife Corridor from the Ocala to the Osceola National Forests. The core of the Expedition involved a 4-day journey which included paddling a section of the Ocklawaha River as well as biking/hiking segments through the Florida National Scenic Trail. The Expedition highlights the health and wellness opportunities of the Corridor as well as the importance of working lands, state lands and military installations to statewide connectivity…
O2O Wildlife Corridor is a 100 mile long, 1.6-million-acre landscape of public and private lands that connect the Ocala and Osceola National Forests.”
— Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation
Read more here
by TRC_Admin | Apr 27, 2023 | Greenways, Nature, Zoning
Photo: Trail Camera in Wildlife Corridor
“TA bill expanding access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor, was signed into law Tuesday by Governor DeSantis. Senate Bill 106, the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network, was introduced by Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford).
The new law connects the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida. Passage of the measure was a top priority for Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples),
‘Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland. With this legislation we have the chance not only to preserve this natural resource for future generations, but to expand access so more Floridians can walk, run, and bike from trail town to trail town, taking in all our great state has to offer,’ said Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) ‘I envision Florida’s Wildlife Corridor as a top destination for recreational tourists from across the country and around the world. As I have said before, I believe this will be Florida’s Central Park – a legacy we can be proud to leave for future generations of Floridians and visitors to enjoy…’
Florida’s Wildlife Corridor encompasses approximately 17.7 million acres, including almost 10 million acres of conservation lands. The corridor is being created through the state’s purchase of development rights of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who will be able to continue their operations in perpetuity and the lands will never be developed. From 2020-2022, under the leadership of Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, former Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), the Legislature appropriated $600 million in funding available to expand the Wildlife Corridor…”
— WQCS
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by TRC_Admin | Apr 27, 2023 | Nature, Trees
Photo: Amelia Tree Conservancy
“Deborah Arnold sits at the base of Kate’s Tree, located in the middle of the road at Ash and Eighth streets in downtown Fernandina Beach. The ancient oak is named for Katherine Bailey, wife of a prominent businessman who lived one block away in the late 19th century. When the city planned to remove the tree in order to extend Ash Street, Bailey protested by sitting vigil on the porch of her home with shotgun in hand. Her persistence paid off, and the tree remains.
The Amelia Tree Conservancy came together 10 years ago to defend our maritime forest canopy, its most noble member being the southern live oak (Quercus virginiana). Our maritime forest designates Amelia Island to be an end member of the chain of forested barrier islands that extend south from the Carolinas. These ancient forests provide a unique canopy that withstands strong winds, periodic flooding, salt spray and manages stormwater capture in their root systems and leaves.
Of utmost importance, it protects our shorelines from erosive forces and our groundwater from saltwater intrusion. Without a significant canopy our cooler microclimate will disappear as the globe warms, and the thousands of birds migrating here each spring to nest will fly elsewhere.
In 2013 the inspiration for the Amelia Tree Conservancy arrived on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Nassau County inspectors were home celebrating the holiday when a tactical unit of earth movers and backhoes descended onto the property east of the roundabout where South Fletcher Avenue meets First Coast Highway. Twenty-eight trees were destroyed, and all but three were live oaks. Dump trucks were at the ready to haul away the carcasses.
A few of those trees even predated the Revolutionary War. It wasn’t necessary to destroy all of them.
With Lyn Pannone spearheading the newly formed board, and the help of mainstay Margaret Kirkland, the tree conservancy mounted tactics to protect our island from future carnage. Now, 10 years later, it boasts more than 500 supporters.
We are ultimately preservationists intent on protecting the island’s remarkable ecosystem. You could call us political activists who are apolitical — tree planters; sponsors of education programs and scholarships; and guardians for future generations.”
— Deborah Arnold, Florida Times Union Guest
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by TRC_Admin | Apr 27, 2023 | Environmental, Nature, Placemaking, Planting, Trees
Photo: Kim Frisbie
Photo: Kim Frisbie
“I was fortunate to have a recent tour of the wonderful Phipps Ocean Park. This exciting project will be a tremendous gift to the residents of Palm Beach.
The Preservation Foundation’s plans for the renovation of this 18-acre area include educational facilities and native landscaping to promote and restore environmental sustainability. In 1948, the Phipps family donated 1,200 feet of ocean frontage for use as a public park to ensure the land remained open in perpetuity. The park has not been well-managed in the intervening 75 years, is grossly underutilized, and currently consists of just some random paths and picnic tables with a few cabanas. Plantings are infested with invasive species including Brazilian pepper and melaleuca, and it is not an inviting area to visit.
Enter the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach in 2019 with a master plan for the park, incorporating educational facilities with native landscaping to restore, protect and preserve the coastal and intracoastal vegetation. Unique, diverse, and extraordinary spaces will inspire visitors to understand and appreciate the importance of environmental sustainability. With Raymond Jungles’ vision to promote the park as a nature preserve, it will be planted with only native species, capturing the original spirit of the land as the Phipps family knew it. Visitors will gain exceptional education and information on plants they can add to their own landscapes, seeing how different species grow on coastal and inland areas…
Phipps Ocean Park will also embody an important coastal restoration center dedicated to growing native species for the park and for the Town of Palm Beach. This nursery/propagation facility will provide hands-on activities for children and adults for restoring coastal ecosystems throughout the island or in their own landscapes…
The historic Little Red Schoolhouse, built in 1886 and recently restored to its one-room glory, will interact with a new outdoor classroom sponsored by the Garden Club of Palm Beach to provide additional educational opportunities for children in an engaging native setting…”
— Kim Frisbie, Palm Beach Daily News
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by TRC_Admin | Dec 15, 2022 | Nature, Planting
Photo: Willie J. Allen Jr., Orlando Sentinel
“Holiday Blooms at Leu brings the holiday spirit and thousands of vibrant poinsettias and other seasonal favorites to the 50-acre botanical oasis in Orlando, Fla., starting Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.”
Photo: Willie J. Allen Jr.,Orlando Sentinel
“The Holiday Blooms at Leu also features a mistletoe station that is included with daytime garden admission until Jan. 2, 2023.”
Photo: Willie J. Allen Jr.,Orlando Sentinel
— Willie J. Allen Jr.,Orlando Sentinel
See entire photo gallery here
by TRC_Admin | Dec 15, 2022 | Environmental, Nature
Photo: The Happy Paddler
“Paddle Florida has just returned from their inaugural Santa Fe Springs Celebration! Four days, three rivers, countless springs and the great food, spa and pool at Ellie Ray’s made this trip a great experience for all.”
For a day by day journal of the trip with great photos please visit:
https://www.paddleflorida.org/santa-fe-springs-celebration
Background on Santa Fe river and it’s springs
https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/santa-fe-river-and-sink
https://www.904happyhour.com/article/explore-the-santa-fe-river–over-20-springs
— The Happy Paddler, Paddle Florida
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