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Imagine Our Florida, Inc.

Our purpose is to bring people together in a shared vision to preserve and protect Florida's wildlife, habitat, and ecosystems. We accomplish this via science-based education and the development of appreciation and respect for the natural world and our place within it.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.5 days ago
Foto Friday: Please post the pictures you captured of Florida's wildlife, wildflowers, and wild spaces this week in the comments. We can't wait to see them!

Royal Tern

The Royal Tern, a striking seabird of warm coastal waters, stands out with its bright tangerine bill and distinctive black crest, which fades to a white forehead by late summer. These elegant birds can be seen gliding slowly over shorelines, scanning for small fish they catch with a quick, precise dive. They are highly social, found on undisturbed beaches and saltwater coasts, gathering in colonies and between fishing outings. The Royal Tern’s sharp “ka-rreet!” call is a familiar sound for seashore visitors and a helpful way to spot them.

Their North American populations have remained stable, though declines have been noted in Florida.

Photo Credit: Dan Kon

#imaigineourFlorida #IOF #RoyalTern
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Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.1 week ago
Master Weavers. Mesmerizing.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1285234182503436&rdid=coaGYCxk1vcUIQQq
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Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.1 week ago
It is with heartfelt gratitude that today, we pause to honor and thank all Veterans. ️
A special IOF Thank You goes out to Veteran and IOF Director Aymee Laurain. 🐻💕
If you or any of your family members are Veterans, please let us know in the comments so we can all honor and properly thank You!
Because of your sacrifice, we have enjoyed the freedom to become a voice for our wildlife, advocate for environmental stewardship, and coexist within our unique ecosystems.
Now, we are called to protect those freedoms.

#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #ConnectRespectCoexist
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Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.1 week ago
It's never too early to start your Holiday Shopping. Or treat yourself or a loved one!
🐾🐻😊
https://www.imagineourflorida.org/our-products/
#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #ConnectRepectCoexist
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Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.2 weeks ago
Saturday Saunter
Richloam Fire Tower Trailhead in Withlacoochee State Forest

Richloam Fire Tower Trailhead, located in the heart of Withlacoochee State Forest, offers an immersive outdoor experience of Florida’s native ecosystems. Found just 0.6 miles southeast of State Road 50 on Clay Sink Road, this trail network invites visitors to explore all-weather trails that wind through a rich diversity of habitats, including pine flatwoods, cypress ponds, pine plantations, and hardwood hammocks.

These blazed trails are primarily dry or damp, though sections can become wet in the rainy season, especially in low-lying areas. The habitat variety here supports a robust range of Florida wildlife, from white-tailed deer and wild turkeys to bobcats, wild hogs, and armadillos. You might encounter alligators in the wettest spots. With this diversity comes a range of plant species adapted to each ecosystem's specific soil and moisture levels, offering visitors a living example of Florida’s ecological complexity.

Richloam also features the Florida National Scenic Trail and its Green Swamp Connector, where hikers can trek northward through the South and North Loops to Porter Gap Road. Part of the Florida Forest Service’s Trailwalker program, the Richloam trails are excellent for those looking to experience Florida’s natural beauty while completing the program’s challenges.

For a full experience, overnight primitive camping is allowed within designated zones marked by yellow-banded trees. This encourages low-impact, leave-no-trace camping, helping to preserve the forest’s delicate ecosystems. Remember to stay vigilant for native snakes, as they play essential roles in maintaining local biodiversity, though they prefer to avoid human contact.
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Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.2 weeks ago
Foto Friday: Please post the pictures you captured of Florida's wildlife, wildflowers, and wild spaces this week in the comments. We can't wait to see them!
Agatized Coral
Agatized Coral (Cnidaria anthozoa) is Florida's state stone. The Florida legislature designated it the state stone in 1979.

Coral is the limy outside skeleton of tiny ocean animals called polyps. Agatized Coral, AKA Fossilized Coral, is formed when agate, a form of chalcedony, replaces the minerals in coral. This process takes 20-30 million years and is known as pseudomorphing.

These fossils are from the Oligocene-Miocene period. Agatized Coral is between 38-25 million years old. These fossils are found in various colors, from white, pink, gray, brown, black, yellow, and red. Trace minerals in the agate create these colors. They are found in ancient ocean beds, where silica-rich groundwater has percolated through the limestone around them. This may give the fossil a banded-stone look.
Agatized Coral is often found in the Tampa Bay area, the Withlacoochee/Suwannee River, and the Econfina River. Most Agatized Coral found in Florida lived in the vast Eocene seas, which covered the state when Florida was part of the continental shelf.

Agatized Coral was used by the first inhabitants of Florida to make spearheads, containers, tools, and knives. Remains have been found in archaeological sites dating back to 5000 B.C. The Agatized Coral is highly prized by collectors today.
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