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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.1 week ago
Have you seen any Lightning Bugs in Florida?
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AV39CUvzd/
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.2 weeks ago
Foto Friday
Please post your wild Florida images in the comments.

Creeping Woodsorrel

Creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is a native Florida ground cover with clover-like leaves and small, yellow flowers. It blooms year-round, especially in spring, attracting bees, flies, and small butterflies. Often found along roadsides and in disturbed areas, it spreads quickly by rooting from stems and seeds that germinate between 60°F and 80°F.

Although sometimes labeled a weed, its low-growing, spreading habit makes it an excellent, low-maintenance ground cover. It thrives in various conditions and can even be grown in containers as a potherb. Creeping woodsorrel is a resilient plant with real ecological value.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.2 weeks ago
Slow Mama Invites You to
Celebrate Gopher Tortoise Appreciation Day

The Gopher Tortoise is Florida's only native tortoise and can be found in all 67 counties. These herbivores live for 40 - 60 years in the wild. They rely on forest fires to clear the ground to make way for food and burrows. Gopher Tortoises thrive in habitats with well-drained, sandy soils where they dig burrows 6-8 feet deep and average 15 feet long.

Gopher Tortoises are keystone species. A keystone is an odd-shaped stone at the top of an arch. If the keystone is removed, the arch will fall.

What makes a Gopher Tortoise a Keystone Species?
Over 350 animals find refuge in the burrows from storms, fires, hurricanes, and heat. The burrows maintain an even temperature and humidity year-round. These animals, known as commensal species, include indigo snakes, gopher frogs, rattlesnakes, skinks, gopher mice, and dune wolf spiders. The forest floor counts on Gopher Tortoises to disperse seeds via scat. With plants and animals depending on them, if we remove Gopher Tortoises from their habitat, the entire ecosystem will crumble.

Gopher Tortoises begin to lay eggs at 10-21 years old. They lay 5-9 ping-pong-sized eggs in the sandy apron near the entrance of their burrow. The eggs will incubate for up to 110 days in the sun-warmed sand. When the hatchlings surface, they run for cover in the grasses. Because there is no parental involvement after the eggs are laid, the eggs and hatchlings are most vulnerable to predators. Water birds, foxes, raccoons, snakes, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, armadillos, fire ants, and dogs are among the many predators. Unfortunately, there is only a 3-5% survival rate.
Gopher Tortoises have been with us for over sixty million years. Today, they are a state-designated Threatened species in Florida. Sadly, they live in habitats prized by developers. The sandy soils they need to survive are perfect landscapes for human houses. Habitat fragmentation leads to strikes by vehicles when Gopher Tortoises are crossing roads. Other threats include herbicides, the pet trade, invasive species, and climate change.

What can you do to help?
Stay off the apron to avoid stomping on eggs.
Keep pets on a leash and away from burrows.
Advocate locally for the preservation of habitat.
Avoid weed killer. Pull weeds by hand and plant native grasses and wildflowers.
Drive carefully as you watch for Gopher Tortoises crossing the road.
Although it is illegal to touch a gopher tortoise, if you see one crossing the road, you may pick it up and place it on the side of the road in the direction it is going.
Never move a Gopher Tortoise to a different location. These amazing reptiles have the best built-in GPS system. Therefore, they will face many dangers as they head back home.
Never put a Gopher Tortoise in water. They are land animals and cannot swim

Together, we can educate and empower the people of Florida to become a voice for our wildlife, advocate for environmental stewardship, and coexist within our unique ecosystems.
It is illegal to possess a Gopher Tortoise. Slow Mama is a non-releasable tortoise due to injuries from a car accident. Imagine Our Florida has a permit to take care of her. She is a fantastic ambassador for the organization.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.2 weeks ago
Slow Mama was happy to meet 301 guests at the Wekiva Spring Egg Hunt and teach about gopher tortoises, their important role in our state, and what to do if they see a tortoise or turtle crossing the road. Thank you to our neighbors who stopped by Imagine Our Florida's tent and learned to connect, respect, and coexist with gopher tortoises and within our shared ecosystems! 😄🐢
*It is illegal to possess a gopher tortoise. Slow Mama is non-releasable due to injuries from a car. IOF has a permit to keep her. She is a wonderful Ambassador for her species.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.
Imagine Our Florida, Inc.3 weeks ago
Ravine Gardens State Park features Whitewater Branch Creek, a spring-fed stream. It took thousands of years for the flowing water to form two ravines that are up to 120 feet deep with 45-degree angles. As the water flows through the banks, it carries soil and sand into the St. Johns River.

During the Great Depression, Ravine Gardens State Park became one of nine New Deal state parks in Florida. The Federal Works Progress Administration created a fascinating garden that featured over 270,000 plants on the slopes of the ravine. The park opened to the public on July 4th, 1933.

Today, the ravines have been left to naturally transform back to the way Nature intended. Ravine Gardens State Park continues to inspire with its five acres of formal gardens, stone features, fountains, water features, and historic gardens, including hundreds of azaleas.

Bike, hike, or drive the Main Park Drive Loop, a 1.8-mile paved road that winds around the ravine, offering incredible views of the surrounding area. Hike the Azalea Trail, a two-and-a-half-mile shady trail through the ravine. Trod through muddy and steep paths, crossing historic suspension bridges and stone staircases. Look for birds. foxes, skunks, armadillos, opossums, squirrels, otters, turtles, fish, alligators, and other wildlife.

Numerous picnic sites, equipped with tables and grills, are available for visitors. A wheelchair-friendly playground awaits your enjoyment. A large covered pavilion, auditorium, and meeting rooms are available for larger gatherings or events at the Roy E. Campbell Civic Center.

Pets are welcome in Ravine Gardens State Park and on the trails when they are kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash. Ravine Gardens State Park is situated in Palatka, Florida, in Putnam County.

Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam