The Trailblazer

Lake Dan Nature Preserve Each year, more and more people move to the sunshine state, requiring more housing and infrastructure. Thankfully, in January 1987, Hillsborough County leaders had a plan to conserve land. Because of that plan, and the voter approved support of our residents, the  Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program  (ELAPP), has grown to be the largest local preservation program in the State. Since inception, the program, managed within the Conservation and Environmental Lands Management (CELM) department, has protected just over 65,000 acres of environmentally sensitive wildlife habitat and corridors. These lands provide critical space for threatened and endangered species to continue thriving and passive recreational opportunities for people to enjoy. But, they also provide free services that are important to our quality of life in the form of ecosystem services. Ecosystem Services are any positive benefit that wildlife ...

When travelling along the Florida coast, you are certain to spot mangrove trees that appear to be on stilts growing out of the water.  Their "stilts" are called prop roots which not only help the trees withstand the ebb and flow of tides, but they also  and stabilize the shoreline. M angroves are not merely trees, but are havens along the coastal intertidal zones that host an array of creatures, over 200 species of fish, more than 150 species of birds, two dozen amphibian and reptile species and over a dozen species of mammals.  Mangroves have been nicknamed the "kidneys of the coast" because they are wonderful filters occurring near sea grasses for corals. These trees are key in providing the foundation for estuarine  communities. In 1996, the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act was put in place to prevent alteration and trimming of mangroves growing on public lands and restrictions for maintenance and removal of those found on private property. " Red Mangr...

Trail CATS workdays are scheduled on the second Saturday of each month. In July, the pounce prowled through Pebble Conservation Park, the new park in Riverview that will be opening soon. They came to clear and establish a trail for park visitors to enjoy. Pictured from left to right: Back Row - Grecia D., Karlos, S. D., Karlos del Aguila., Linda Reed, Dave Reed, Emilio Dominguez, Joe Guidry, James Carson, Melanie Bacca, Daniel Allen, Joy Langone, Bryson A., Annita Nall, Maddox R., Elliott Tegan-Tawney; Front Row - Alan Bailey, Heidi Taylor, Lenny Chew, Amy Robertson, Bob McElroy  Trail Bosses Daniel Allen & Joe Guidry remove a tree from the path The group began their day at 8AM by trimming tree branches, removing overgrowth of saw palmettos and various bushes along the path. Some removed bags of Cesar's Weed and others used a hand saw to remove a small tree that lay across the trail. All in all it was a good productive day and the work was finished by around 10:45AM. It is true...

SWAMP Members from left to right: David Karlen, Mike Filby, Teresa Klicker, Greg Rogers and Karen Bickford. Each month members of SWAMP get together to work on trails within Wilderness Conservation Parks. This month the crew got together on  June 11. Even though it was a rainy day these fabulous five accomplished what they set out to do. These volunteers cleared the drainage ditch above and below a small bridge on the main trail, and dug out sediment from beneath the bridge to improve drainage in this area. Summer rains cause this area to flood and now water levels will be lowered due to their efforts. Two cyclists also did a "ride & clip" where they travel the trails and remove "face slappers", branches that have grown into the trail. One of SWAMP's long time routine volunteers who participated that day is David Karlen, an environmental scientist and a General Manager at Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission. Dave is also very active in w...

Even if you go hiking, riding, bird watching or kayaking in our conservation parks or nature preserves, you may not have had the opportunity to speak with our staff. When fully staffed,  Hillsborough County's Conservation & Environmental Lands Management Department has almost 200  staff members spread out throughout the county. Staff spotlight is an opportunity to meet and learn about the people who work hard to keep the County's conservation lands thriving and beautiful for all to enjoy. Our staff do everything from mowing and fence construction to prescribed fire, invasive species removal, ecological restoration, guided programs and more! As of June 13, 2022, the Environmental Lands Management Division was pleased to welcome a new Administrative Specialist II, Herlinda "Lin" Garza. Lin previously w orked as a Human Capitol Advisor for the Department of Defense.  After High School, she joined the United States Navy and worked in Admin Department as a Personnelman...

Tampa Bay’s beautiful waters are home to some of our favorite fishes, playful dolphins, and of course our beloved manatees. Seeing these creatures are why many people come to our conservation parks and nature preserves to kayak and fish. But what else lurks in those depths below with lots of teeth and upright fins, recalling a popular musical tune and they glide smoothly through the water? No, not the Jaws theme – we mean Baby Shark! Do do do doo doo do doo… All jokes aside, Tampa Bay is a shark nursery for baby sharks! Of course, sharks live in the waters of our bay year-round but the warm summer months are when the young pups get to grow up in the bay and are protected from larger predators in deeper Gulf waters.   If you’re lucky, you’ll get to catch a glimpse of some of these sharks around our coastal parks and preserves like E.G. Simmons , Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve , or Upper Tampa Bay Park . Cockroach Bay Preserve - Donna P Bollenbach There are roughly a dozen differe...

Snakes have been portrayed as being sinister from the dawn of time. Whether you are a fan or not, snakes serve a necessary role in nature by keeping the ecosystem balanced. The Sunshine State  has more than 40 native species of snakes, 30 of those can be found right here in Central Florida.  The next time you decide to venture through one of the County's conservation parks or nature preserves, you may spot one of these six featured snakes . Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) by Peter Paplanus Black Racer or Blacksnake ( Coluber constrictor ) is a solid gray/black snake with a white chin and throat. They are commonly found in urban areas near fresh water, shrubs and landscape plants. They can grow up to 6 feet in length. Juveniles, under 2ft, have reddish brown blotches on gray scales. Young black races are commonly mistaken for pygmy rattlesnakes which are venomous. The difference is that black racer eyes are round and their scales are also round and smooth. Ju...