The Trailblazer

In CELM, our favorite dogs are those who are always kept on a 6’ leash and cleaned up after while on hikes in our  Conservation Parks or Nature Preserves . What are our second favorite dogs? Coyotes! In the diverse array of North American wildlife, few animals evoke such contrasting emotions and narratives as the coyote. From folklore to modern ecological and ethical debates, these canines have been both revered for their adaptability and resilience and maligned for their perceived threat to livestock and pets. Coyote’s scientific name, Canis latrans , means “barking dog,” and the name we know them as “coyote” comes from the Nauhuatl/Aztec word coyotyl , which is believed to loosely translate to “trickster.”   Many cultures in America have viewed the coyote as clever, and it’s likely because of the coyote’s resilience. They’ve been able to fill niches we’ve created, live alongside us, and outsmart us for centuries. Love them or hate them, coyotes are here to stay. Learn...

Lake Dan Nature Preserve, in combination with Lake Francis Nature Preserve, encompasses 2,700 acres in Northwest Hillsborough County. This expansive area showcases a diverse mosaic of ecosystems, from cypress domes to mesic flatwoods, presenting both ecological significance and management challenges. Two deer stand alert in a misty wetland area of Lake Dan Nature Preserve, surrounded by cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Photo by Sonja Pedersen. Environmental Lands Management Specialist Ryan Cosbey paints a vivid picture of the preserve's unique landscape: "It takes you to another place. Once you leave the red trail, you enter these low, open areas, but all around you there are these cypress domes. They rise up like mountains, and you get the feeling like you're in a valley." As we explore Lake Dan, we'll uncover how its history has shaped its current ecology, the ongoing efforts to restore native habitats, and its role in protecting Florida's unique biodiv...