The Trailblazer

Prescribed Fire Fest is coming January 25th and it’s going to be HOTTER than ever! This year will showcase new games, activities, and giveaways. Fire Fest will have something for everyone, from the curious Florida newcomer to the seasoned naturalist. Read about some of the things you can look forward to, and learn more by visiting the event page here . 1. See how prescribed fire works at a Sandbox Demonstration. Sandboxes aren’t just for kids! Gather around a large sandbox table filled with miniatures to learn how a prescribed fire works from a bird’s eye view. Demonstrations will take place at 10 AM, 11 AM, and 12 PM.   2. Compete in fire-themed games to earn an official helmet. This year, we will have even MORE activities for young adventurers! Kids can compete in free games that will test their wildland firefighting skills, such as working with a team and using fire hoses. Be sure to get your Junior Wildland Firefighter Passport to earn your official Junior Wildland Firefighter ...

Walking through Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve in the morning, light from the sun just barely guiding your way as dew on the grass begins to soak your boots. The nighttime din of frogs and crickets has long subsided, and songbirds begin to call. Then you hear the little whistle that reminds you of your childhood playing in the woods and fields.    “ Bob WHITE! ” they call. Males perching on fence posts to cast their voices further in hopes to find a mate hiding in the grasses. You try to whistle back, imperfectly mocking these tiny little birds that helped changed land management practices across the county. They ignore you and call again, “ Bob white, poor bob WHITE! ”   Northern Bobwhite Calls In the media and in the minds of most people, prescribed burning and the image of the wildland firefighter is one associated with the western united states , but it is the southeastern states where prescribed fire was born and raised , partially because of a tiny, familiar...

  Whether you go hiking, riding, bird watching, or kayaking in our conservation parks, you may not have had the opportunity to speak with our staff. More than 140 staff members staff and manage Hillsborough County's Conservation Parks and Nature Preserves, which are spread out throughout our county. This is an opportunity to meet and learn about the people who work hard to keep the County's conservation parks and nature preserves thriving and beautiful for all to enjoy. Our staff does everything from mowing and fence construction to prescribed fire, invasive species removal, ecological restoration, guided programs, and more! They say it takes a village, and that rings true for the Conservation and Environmental Lands Management (CELM) Team. We often think of the team and picture park rangers or land management technicians, the boots-on-the-ground folks who tend to be in public-facing positions. However, what is going on behind the scenes? Today, we’re highlighting Sherri Wils...