Imagine Our Florida, Inc. 

Happy Sunday!-- Good News for a Big Snake --20 Eastern Indigo Snakes just released to begin year two of the north Florida recovery. - The Nature Conservancy Check back tomorrow to watch video of live release. Read all about it here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/200a668?reqfrom=share

-----Foto Friday---------Thread Waisted Wasp----The thread waisted wasp (Ammophila pictipennis) is an ambush predator that will attack small worms, spiders, or other insects. It carries the prey back to the nest made out of packed dirt and stores it with it's eggs. When the eggs hatch the larvae feed on the treat left by the mother. Adults are excellent pollinators and feed on the nectar from flowering plants, such as this firebush, or from small insects including those pesky aphids. They are relatively docile but if they feel threatened will attack defensively. However, they would much rather save their energy for something they can eat. What is your favorite native pollinator? Let us know in the comments.

-----Foto Friday---------Thread Waisted Wasp----The thread waisted wasp (Ammophila pictipennis) is an ambush predator that will attack small worms, spiders, or other insects. It carries the prey back to the nest made out of packed dirt and stores it with it's eggs. When the eggs hatch the larvae feed on the treat left by the mother. Adults are excellent pollinators and feed on the nectar from flowering plants, such as this firebush, or from small insects including those pesky aphids. They are relatively docile but if they feel threatened will attack defensively. However, they would much rather save their energy for something they can eat. What is your favorite native pollinator? Let us know in the comments.

-----Foto Friday---------Thread Waisted Wasp----The thread waisted wasp (Ammophila pictipennis) is an ambush predator that will attack small worms, spiders, or other insects. It carries the prey back to the nest made out of packed dirt and stores it with it's eggs. When the eggs hatch the larvae feed on the treat left by the mother. Adults are excellent pollinators and feed on the nectar from flowering plants, such as this firebush, or from small insects including those pesky aphids. They are relatively docile but if they feel threatened will attack defensively. However, they would much rather save their energy for something they can eat. What is your favorite native pollinator? Let us know in the comments.

-- Conservation Begins in Your Yard --Did you know that wetlands are Nature's storm systems? Wetlands once covered 1/2 of our state. To make room for people, many were drained and communities were built complete with man-made storm systems. Today, through our carelessness, we continue to pollute our most valuable resource. Learn about storm drains and how things like soap, fertilizer, and even pet poop pollute our waters. https://www.sjrwmd.com/static/education/Stormwater-systems-info-sheet.pdfThank you St. Johns River Water Management District for this Educational PDF.

Deer enjoying fresh nutrient-rich sprouts while the fire is still smoldering.

Hypoxis juncea sprouting in only 3 weeks post burn!

Turkey and Dear enjoying a meal together.

Note the charred tree in this Longleaf Pine area. It's amazing to see the understory this green so soon after the fire.

Lush green in only 3 months post burn. Nature is amazing!

Newly sprouted Queen's Delight (Stillingia Sylvatica)

Wild Turkey walking thru a recently burned area of longleaf pine with wiregrass understory.

TUESDAY TRIVIAWe all know that a baby bear is called a cub.What are baby Manatees, baby Gopher Tortoises, and baby Florida Panthers called?The answers will be revealed tonight.

- Press Release from FDEP - Endangered SNAIL KITE is NESTINGat Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park~Sighting of rare species sparks interest among scientists, bird-watchers~Read all about it here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1f8c14f

-----Year to Date Progress-----We have come quite a way since our first year. This map shows all the locations we have reached so far this year. It has been through the help of our generous donors and dedicated volunteers that we have made so much progress. We still have our upcoming fall events. If you would like to help volunteer by teaching one of our science based lesson plans at an event, writing grants, being a guest writer, contributing artwork, or collaborating on creative projects, contact us today. If you would like to help organize a fundraiser in your area we would love to have you on board. If you want to help us reach more people, donations help to pay for supplies and vendor space. Do you own a business? Consider being a sponsor. If you can't help in any of these ways we certainly appreciate you following us through social media or our newsletter. With everyone's help we can build a community that strives to protect our wildlife, natural resources, and land.

-----Artificial Reefs Part 5: Putting Retired Oil Platforms to Good Use----EcoRigs addresses the estimated loss of 1/3 of the 3,600 fuel platforms in the next 5 years. While demolition might be the first thought for many, this research study addresses how these platforms become thriving marine communities as coral and other organisms make these rigs their home. Suggestions including using the rigs for wind and hydropower, salinity gradients for electric energy, tourism, and isolation of greenhouse gases. Keeping these structures can help facilitate the movement towards green energy while retaining the developed reefs that call these rigs home.http://www.ecorigs.org/EcoRigs%20Platform%20Removal%20Brief.pdf #coral #reefs #artificialreefs #gulfofmexico #oilrigs #oilplatforms #Florida

Do you ever wonder what IOF does with your donations and profits from our sales of t-shirts and merchandise? Dan here, your treasurer. Great news! Over 95% of donations that come in go right back out to what is necessary for our educational programs and what is needed for teaching materials, displays, hands-on items, and promotions of educational content. While we need funds to take care of our soon to be adopted non-releasable gopher tortoise ambassador, research project, and eventually an educational center, everything we do remains true to our mission - TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA TO BECOME A VOICE FOR OUR WILDLIFE, ADVOCATE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND COEXIST WITHIN OUR UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS.Imagine Our Florida, Inc. like most credible non-nonprofits, has an open book policy. Every year we will publish an annual report. IOF is proud to have achieved the Gold Seal of Transparency with Guide Star. We thank all of you, our donors, sponsors, and all of our future donors. Without you, it would not be possible to teach people to connect, respect and coexist with our wildlife and within their ecosystems.

------ Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed ------ The Monarch Butterfly population is in trouble due to loss of habitat, pesticides, and climate change. As the only butterfly who migrates, a single Monarch can travel hundreds to thousands of miles. Monarchs are born with an internal compass that guides them on their migration. Each year, three to five generations will be born. A Monarch's lifespan is 6 - 8 months but will live only 2-6 weeks as a butterfly.------ You can Make a Difference -----Plant native milkweed and nectar plants that have been grown organically.Milkweed contains glycoside toxins that are harmless to the Monarchs but is poisonous to its predators. ----- Conservation Begins in Your Backyard ------

A full-grown male skink whose stripes have faded and the head is a bright red color.

The eggs look painfully larger than the young skink next to them. Don't worry. They are much smaller when laid. The eggs start out small but will swell with water.

Tthe vibrant color of the newborn skink. Newborns are about 4 cm in length

This skink has just entered adulthood. The bright coloring has faded leaving just the black and yellow stripes. The females will retain this appearance throughout their lives.

To All of you Papa Bears, Protectors of our Environment, Teachers of Coexistence, Animal Activists, and you who Work to Preserve our Natural Treasures for future generations -Thank You. YOU are making a Difference.🐻 Happy Father's Day!

Happy National Rivers MonthGet out this weekend and celebrate on your favorite river. Rent a kayak or canoe or take a river cruise. Imagine how all of the people who came before us relied on the river. Imagine the wildlife who will stop by for a cool bath or to quench their thirst. Imagine if all the people respected the rivers and treated them as vital treasures for all living plants and animals.Share in the comments one of your favorite experiences with your favorite river.

It's Foto Friday.This Florida Softshell Turtle, aka. Apalone ferox, made her way into a human neighborhood. Softshell Turtles will lay their eggs under the edge of a driveway or sidewalk. The sun will warm the concrete and keep her eggs warm until they hatch. If you see a Softshell Turtle in your neighborhood, just give her space and she will make her way back to the pond here she akes her home.Softshell Turtles usually eat snails and small fish but have been known to eat waterfowl such as ducks and small herons. Florida Softshell turtles will hide in the sand at the bottom of lakes and streams and ambush passing schools of fish for lunch or dinner. Softshells take 10 years to reach full maturity. They play a role as predator and scavenger. Animals who prey on these turtles are raccoons, bears, other turtles, skunks, snakes, eagles, otters, armadillos, and alligators. Their biggest predators are human.

To our new followers, Welcome to Imagine Our Florida. Here you will discover places to go, things to do, and learn science-based facts about our wild friends and the ecosystems we share with them. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Whether you volunteer at an event, contribute to our social media, host a fundraiser, advocate on behalf of Florida wildlife or their wild spaces, or simply share your knowledge with your friends and family, know you are making a difference. Watch for our daily posts. We will explore Natural Florida together and discover the wonders of nature and unique ecosystems right here in our own home state. We are happy to have you on our team. 🙂

------- Injured Bear Relocated ----Recently, what is likely a well-known "neighborhood" bear appeared to have been struck by a vehicle in one of the several Longwood subdivisions in Seminole County near Wekiwa State Park.Biologists were called when the 500-550 pound bear remained in the same spot for 2 days. He was darted and assessed. It was determined he is about 7-8 years old and he had an injured leg. The injury was below the hip so the biologists decided to relocate him to the northern part of the Ocala National Forest.Here, this handsome bear is expected to sleep while his broken leg heals. He will enter a state of torpor where his metabolism will slow down and several body functions will stop working or moderate. This causes energy and resources to focus on the leg that needs healing. (Adult bears cannot be rehabilitated. They will injure themselves as they try to remove whatever healing aid the veterinarian applies.) Imagine Our Florida is grateful for the concerned citizen who cared and called the biologists. We are also grateful to the biologists who assessed this magnificent bear and made the determination to let Nature heal his leg. We are grateful that he was relocated to the forest where he can remain wild. Although he may walk with a limp, he will enjoy much healthier food and we hope he will make the forest his forever home. Keeping humans and animals safe takes everyone's cooperation. Simple things such as securing attractants, safely scaring a bear (learn how - link in comments on originating page), or being vigilant when driving can help us coexist with bears and other wildlife. Let's all make a commitment to better coexist with the wildlife around us.Connect. Respect. Coexist.

---- World Oceans Day ----It's hard to believe that our magnificent, powerful, and vital oceans are so incredibly polluted with plastic. We are to blame. World Oceans Day is the day to commit to eliminating single-use plastics.Keep reusable shopping bags in your car. Carry a metal straw and reusable silverware to restaurants. Get yourself a refillable water bottle. It's the small things that make a big difference.

----When Criminals Disrupt Conservation----Rules are in place for a reason. Limitations of fish catch are established to reduce the chance of species degradation. Some animals, such as the spiny lobster play an excellent role in their ecosystem as a predator. Preventing over fishing of these lobsters ensures there is food for their natural predators who otherwise would begin to consume a larger number of other species. We need to abide by these laws to ensure our ecosystems stay healthy. #spinylobster #lobster #wildlife #illegal https://buff.ly/2spHFRk