We couldn't agree more. Get out and experience all the fall beauty Florida has to offer.

#Florida #wildflowers #Floridaflowers #IOF #ImagineOurFlorida

https://www.facebook.com/FLnativeplants/photos/a.391721889124/10156978192754125/?type=3&theater

Volunteer Spotlight

Donnalee Hilden has set up numerous IOF displays at libraries throughout Highlands County. Thousands of people have stopped to learn about embryonic diapause, securing bear attractants and the biggest threat to manatees. This month, Donnalee set up not one, but 2 displays at the Sebring Library. Thousands more children and their families will learn to #connect, #respect, and #coexist with Florida's beloved Manatees and Bears. Thank you Donnalee, for reaching so many.

Melanie Lulue has traveled from Tampa to South Orlando to Northern Volusia County to volunteer. Neither rain nor 98* temperatures keep her away from tabling at indoor or outdoor events. When asked why she does what she does, Melanie replied, "because I care." Thank you for caring Melanie. Your efforts to #educate, #empower, and #MakeaDifference have caused the hundreds of people you have met and educated to make the necessary changes to protect Florida's wildlife and wild spaces.

These ladies work hard to carry out IOF's 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.
Because of them, seeds have been planted and people are learning to protect Florida's wildlife and coexist within our shared ecosystems.

Melanie and Donnalee, we are grateful for your gift of time to protect what is precious to all of us. You give us hope that the generations yet to be born will enjoy Florida in all of its natural beauty abundant with clean water and healthy ecosystems where humans and our wild friends will thrive. 🐾🥰

#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #Volunteer

What a cute little sea turtle. Did you know albinism is caused by a mutation in one of several genes that affects melanin? For some animals it can be life threatening if they can not blend in to their environment. Other animals adapt with no problems and for a select few they can even benefit from it by adapting to new surrounding. Have you ever seen an animal with albinism?

#greenseaturtle #seaturtle #turtle #IOF #Florida #wildlife #marinelife #animals #ImagineOurFlorida #Floridawildlife

https://www.facebook.com/SeaTurtleAdventures/posts/939812639738072

---Saturday Saunter---
---Blowing Rocks Preserve---

Blowing Rocks is a barrier island composed of Anastasia limestone shores which can produce spectacular dances of waves as they thrash against the stone and bounce higher than a house.

In 1969 Jupiter Island residents donated 73 acres of land towards conservation. The land would become a haven for endangered species such as the green, loggerhead, and leatherback sea turtles. It also houses one of Florida's most endangered ecosystems, the sand dune. Volunteers over several decades have removed Australian pines and Brazilian pepper, invasive species to Florida. The dunes were restored with sea grapes, sea oats, beach sunflowers, and bay cedar.

There are many activities that you can take part in at Blowing Rocks Preserve. The park attracts nature photographers, hikers, campers, snorkelers, and bird watchers. Have you visited Blowing Rocks Preserve? Tell us what your favorite part of the trip was.

Photo credit: Marc Goldberg
#blowingrockspreserve #jupiterfl #jupiterflorida #seaoats #barrierisland #southflorida #florida #ImagineOurFlorida #IOF

--- Striped Mud Turtle ---

Striped Mud Turtles, Kinosternon baurii, are small turtles who grow to only 4" -5" long. They usually have 3 visible stripes on their shells and 2 yellow stripes on each side of their faces. These native semi-aquatic turtles live in and near brackish and freshwater in ditches and ponds. Dinner consists of algae, snails, insects, worms, seeds, and carrion.

Females may travel up to 820 feet away from the wetlands to lay a clutch of 1-6 eggs. Temperature determines the sex of the embryo. The embryo may pause its development until the correct temperature is reached. Incubation lasts from 2 1/2 to five months. The hatchlings are about 1' long and may take more than a year to leave the nest.

Striped Mud Turtles depend on waters with low saline content. This makes them especially vulnerable in the Lower Keys where sea level rise is expected to cause saltwater intrusion into freshwater habitats. More intense storms will cause many of the low-lying areas to be inundated with saltwater thus making the ecosystem uninhabitable for Striped Mud Turtles. Human-caused pollution and oil spills also threaten these little turtles.

Striped Mud Turtles spend much of their time underwater and can often be seen in the shallow waters. When in wetlands keep an eye out for movement in mud, marshes and wet fields and you may meet a new wild turtle friend.

Photo Credit: Andy Waldo.

#Connect #Respect #Coexist #StripedMudTurtle
#Turtle #ImagineOurFLorida #IOF