Imagine Our Florida, Inc.

----Good News Monday------

🌿 Florida celebrates the completion of $26 million investment in conserving 16,200 acres across five Florida Forever projects! 🎉 This significant achievement expands the Florida Wildlife Corridor by 13,080 acres, safeguarding native species and critical habitats.

Here's a glimpse into the projects:

Avalon: Conserving 11,700 acres in southern Jefferson County, protecting forestlands and wetlands vital for rare wildlife and plant species.
Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway: Acquiring 3,200 acres in Putnam County to enhance wildlife corridor connectivity and protect water recharge areas.
Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: Securing 500 acres in northeastern Marion County to preserve old-growth longleaf pine habitats and vital water sources.
Apalachicola River: Collaborating with The Nature Conservancy to acquire 758 acres adjacent to Torreya State Park, safeguarding steephead ravine systems and water quality.
Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem: Acquiring 212 lots totaling 66 acres to protect endangered species and consolidate management boundaries within the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife Environmental Area.
These acquisitions underscore Florida's commitment to conservation and recreation land acquisition, ensuring the preservation of our natural heritage for generations to come. 🌳 #FloridaForever #ConservationWins #ProtectOurWildlife 🦋

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/38ee52e

- Saturday Saunter -
Wellington Rotary Peace Park

The Wellington Rotary Peace Park was dedicated on September 21, 2007. This beautiful park, located in the village of Wellington in Palm Beach County, includes 14 acres of wetlands and grassy areas.

There is a nice boardwalk over the wetlands and an open-air gazebo that houses the Peace Pole and dedication marker. Plenty of pickerelweed grows amongst cypress trees and Florida swamp lilies.

In the grassy area surrounding the rotunda are flags from the United Nations, the United States, Rotary International, the Wellington Rotary Peace Park, Florida, and the Village of Wellington.

Located very conveniently next to the library and schools., Wellington Rotary Peace Park is a great, safe park that sits on the edge of full suburbia. The park provides a nice peaceful site to meditate in a natural setting while immersing yourself in Nature.

Author and Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam

#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF
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#wetlands #boardwalk #stroll #takeawalk

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!
Black Crowned Night Heron

The Black Crowned Night Heron is a unique species of waterbird that can be found
anywhere near Florida’s fresh or saltwater sources. Standing around two feet tall with a wingspan of about 46 inches, the Black Crowned Night Heron sports a white belly, pale gray wings, red eyes, blue-black head and back, and two white head plumes falling over its back. They are best known for their stocky silhouette and comical lack of neck. Their calls can primarily be heard at night and sound like short, winded whoops.

The Black Crowned Night Heron is aptly named for its nocturnal habits, spending its
nights hunting small aquatic animals like fish, mollusks, and the occasional seabird. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of what is available to them now, even carrion and plant matter. Despite this, they roost colonially in trees with other Black Crowned Night Herons or birds of different species, such as egrets and ibises.

Photo Credit: Dan Kon
Author Sarina Pennington, IOF volunteer

#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #ConnectRespectCoexist #GetOutside #Nature #Florida
#Wildlife #Explore #Discover #Educate #Empower #MakeaDifference
#environmentalstewardship #FotoFriday #blackcrownednightheron