Conservation Florida

BIG NEWS! At the heart of our recently opened D Ranch Preserve, a special vision is taking shape: The 𝗗 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿! ✨🌱 Check it out at the 🔗 link in our bio! The nature center will be more than a building - it will be a 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 and a 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. Once completed, the D Ranch Nature Center will span roughly 8,000 square feet across 2 floors and include a wrap around porch, inviting all who visit to bask in the beauty of the preserve. Our team aims to open the nature center for you in 2027… and 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟭! To break ground, we need to close a gap of $400,000. But there’s good news! The @big_nova_foundation is 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 to help make the nature center a reality. That means $1 becomes $2, $100 becomes $200… you see the vision. Every dollar contributed will make this dream a reality - make these 4 walls a 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲. Plus, when you give today at any amount, you’ll become part of our 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 - the first friends to help make the Nature Center come alive! Those in the Seedling Circle will have their name inside the nature center when it opens. The D Ranch Nature Center will be a home for all of us, and we can’t wait to share this magical place with you. Special shoutout to those making this project possible: The Volusia County ECHO Program, the Big Nova Foundation, The Spurlino Foundation, and… 𝗬𝗢𝗨! Learn more about the D Ranch Nature Center and join the Seedling Circle today. Make an impact at the link in our bio! P.S., Swipe to the end of this post to see one of the locals who was excited to hear the news today! 🐾 📸 @anna_crocitto

HUGE NEWS: 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥! We’ve expanded 📍𝙁𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠, adding more safe & permanently protected land for the critically endangered 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. With only 120-230 FL panthers left in the world — all right here in Florida — every acre counts. Their biggest threats? Overdevelopment and habitat loss. Last year alone, we lost 36 panthers. But just last month, we came 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲-𝘁𝗼-𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 while out exploring this newly protected land in Fakahatchee — a powerful, once-in-a-lifetime reminder of why this work matters. Every acre we save means more room to roam for one of the world’s rarest mammals. Beyond Florida panthers, Fakahatchee is home to countless other threatened & endangered species like the: ◦ Ghost orchid ◦ Cardinal airplant ◦ Ribbon orchid It’s the 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗲, and we are beyond proud to grow one of Florida’s award winning state parks — and protect the wild heart of our state 💚 This conservation project was made possible through funding from incredible @conservationflorida supporters like you and @fl.dep Division of State Lands — we are so grateful for your support in saving Florida’s wild places! Learn more at the link in bio! 📸 @brandon_guell - you’re amazing!

We’re heartbroken to share that a 2-3 month-old Florida panther kitten was struck and killed by a vehicle in Collier County last week. 💔 With fewer than 200 Florida panthers left on Earth, every single one matters. 🐾 Our greatest threat to them is simple: 𝘂𝘀. More people means more development, more roads, less 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗺. But we can also be their greatest 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚. Every day, our Conservation Florida team works to protect & connect the wild spaces panthers need to survive. We need your help. Join us today as a monthly donor, and know that your donation goes directly toward protecting these panthers’ homes. Because they’re worth protecting. 💚 🔗👉Our donation page is at the link in our bio! Thank you!🫶

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐬! 🥰 From fierce mother panthers, to snuggly manatee moms, and to every mother figure in between, your dedication and love are what make Florida feel like 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆. ...And if you're anything like this great egret mama, you also have unending patience for our yappin', and that's impressive in itself. Today and always, thanks for keeping the nest together! 🫶 P.S. You can make an impact on behalf of a special lady in your life by becoming a Conservation Florida monthly donor in her honor! ➔ conservationfla.org/donation-page 📸 @joe_losgar

𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀!! 🥳 We planted more than 250,000 eelgrass plants with our friends @seaandshoreline along the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County! 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄.ᐣ.ᐣ.ᐣ 1 acre of eelgrass can produce 50,000 liters of oxygen per day. 🌱 250,000 eelgrass plants = 50 acres 🌱 𝟱𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 = 𝟮.𝟱 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘅𝘆𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗵𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆! Breathe deep, Florida. That’s a breath of fresh air. 😮‍💨 This project came to life thanks to the collective effort of Sea & Shoreline, funding provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Legislature, and the unwavering support of YOU - our community. 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨! Swipe 👉 to learn more about this project and read more on our website - check out the link in our bio!

Save our home, we must 🌟 You don't need to travel to a galaxy far, far away to get stunning views of deep space - the Sunshine State gets starry, too! By protecting land, we're creating a new hope for our water, wildlife, & wild places for generations to come. May the Fourth be with you, Florida! 📸 @codylaubphotography

Ahh, the sweet sounds of swamp love 🥰 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! From April through June, alligators get more active, loud, and territorial as they search for a mate. Take this couple as an example - their deep bellows and splashing are quintessential of the gator mating ritual. Whether you’re hiking, paddling, or snapping photos near Florida’s waters this season, keep your distance - for your safety and theirs! Protecting their habitat means protecting the next generation of swamp babies - and all of our wild Florida neighbors. 💚 Support our wildlife at conservationfla.org 📸 Incredible footage from @onewildlifer !

Want to protect places like this ☝️ every single day? Join our team! We're hiring a 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 to help grow our conservation impact throughout Florida! You're a great fit if you have: ✔️ Experience managing a portfolio of donors ✔️ Strong relationship-building & communication skills ✔️ Attention to detail ✔️ CRM experience & experience with meticulous data tracking ✔️ A passion for conservation & fundraising 📍𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 | 💼 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 🔗 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 👉 link in bio 📎 Be sure to include your resumé with your submission!

You want some things to last forever - and now this land will. Summer nights, fireflies. Playing with your kids outside. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱. This land was conserved in 2022 in Polk County - one of the quickest growing counties in the country. Thank you to the Welch Family for helping us protecting the places that make Florida home 💚 Learn more 👉 link in bio

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BURROWING OWL?? Well, now you have 😏 Protecting land means protecting the places this little dude calls home - and means you could meet him IRL one day! If you do, tell him we sent ya. (From a distance please. Those are serious crazy eyes.) 📸 @cruisin_ali

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗡! 🌿🥳 We are thrilled to share that one of our priority bills, the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹, 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘄! We advocated all session long for this, but you made it a reality. This story starts a year ago now with a proposed land swap of 600 acres of prime conservation land in NE Florida. Home to roseate spoonbills, bobcats, river otters, blazing star, and more. Winding trails where families bike, hike, and take in the beauty shaped by millions of years. Nearly traded and 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩. And we only got 7 days notice. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. It requires at least 30 days public notice before a proposal for sale or trade of conservation lands goes before a council. Thank you to @senatordebbiemayfield & Representative Kendall for your leadership, and most of all - to 𝘆𝗼𝘂, Florida. Because of you, these acres of pine flatwoods & salt marsh will stay wild, and more than 220 species have a safe place to call home. 📸 Stunning roseate spoonbill by @onewildlifer

❗❗ A special legislative session has just been announced beginning May 12 to finalize Florida’s state budget, and 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲. For months, we’ve been in the Capitol advocating for the future of our state’s wild places. 𝗡𝗼𝘄, 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽. Florida’s conservation success depends on strong, complementary programs to protect both natural lands and working landscapes. 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 & 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (RFLPP) which is vital to protecting wildlife corridors and the rural landscapes that define our state. 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, one of the state’s cornerstone land conservation programs, 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘁-𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 under one proposed budget. Florida needs both programs working together to protect the places that make this state home. 📞 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗗𝗢? Before May 12, contact your elected officials and remind them of something every Floridian can agree on: protecting wild Florida matters. 📣 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗔𝗬? ➔ The Florida Forever program should be funded at no less than $250 million to keep pace with our state’s growing conservation needs. We commend the strong support of RFLPP. Together, Florida Forever and the Rural & Family Lands Protection Program protect the places that define our state. Both programs need to be fully funded. ➔ ➔ One of the current proposals restricts money allocated to Florida Forever to the purchase of conservation easements. Florida Forever needs to be able to purchase both land in fee (outright) and conservation easements. Thank you for standing with us to protect paradise.