The Trailblazer

Florida Scrub: A Unique Side of Florida’s Nature When most people think of Florida’s natural areas, they picture wetlands, palm trees, or maybe a shady, mostly flat forest with lots of wildlife sounds. Florida scrub is a little different. It’s sunny, dry, and full of sand. At first glance, it can look pretty barren, but don’t let that fool you! Florida scrub is one of the rarest and most unique habitats in the world, and it's an epicenter for biodiversity. It's also right here in our own backyard in Tampa Bay! Although Scrub habitat is found in some other parts of the world, Florida scrub only exists in Florida. Many of the plants and animals that live here can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. That alone makes it something worth exploring. Once you know what to look for, scrub habitats tell an incredible story about survival, adaptation, and Florida’s geological past. What Is Florida Scrub? Historically, Scrublands are one of Florida's oldest plant communities, going back...

After the holiday season, when many of us have made precious memories sitting around the table with our loved ones, it becomes easier to recognize just how much food anchors our sense of community. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so many other celebrations center around harvest and gratitude. Food is often what brings us together, allowing us to slow down and give thanks for what we have.   The connection we feel to our land after a plentiful meal is one that echoes in human history. For thousands of years humans have depended on the plants around them not only to eat but also to connect, by marking seasons, healing illnesses, building homes, and creating tools. The study of these relationships is called ethnobotany, which is the study of how humans interact with and relate to the botanical world. During this reflective time of year, ethnobotany offers a meaningful way to look at Florida’s landscape through a different lens. It allows us to explore how people have lived within thi...