The Trailblazer

  For October, I wanted to get us all in the mood for the spooky season and write about cryptids. I wanted to write about the mysterious skunk-ape, or Nessie, or the mothman! However, while our messages are meant to be about education (and learning about cryptids is fun), they are also about conservation. We certainly can’t spread a message of conservation while talking about animals rarely seen and with little evidence of their existence – right?  I ask you to take my hand and trust me as we continue along this haunted trail. What Are Cryptids Cryptids are animals that some people believe may exist in the wild, but whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by science. The study of cryptids is called cryptozoology and is considered pseudoscience. For some cryptozoologists, it’s a thing approached with skepticism and whimsy just as much as a seriousness of trying to find “truth” by blending folklore and mythology with scientific methodology. 'Bigfoot' sighti...

It's almost time for the 2023-2024 Hillsborough County Hiking Spree! This year's event is going to be better than ever with new trails, guided hikes, exclusive swag, and more! Each year, the Hiking Spree highlights approximately 25 trails throughout Hillsborough County to help residents explore our wild side. Hikers can choose from short, paved trails to long, rustic trails and everything in between. When you #TakeAHikeHC at eight or more trails, you'll earn a limited-edition patch or medallion as a reward! Dog owners are encouraged to bring along their four-legged hiking companions, and all dogs who complete the Spree will earn their very own bandana. Rewards feature a species that calls Hillsborough County home, and this year we're featuring the Roseate Spoonbill ( Platalea ajaja).  To stay in the know about the Hiking Spree, visit HCFLGov.net/HikingSpree and watch for updates in the Trailblazer and on social media. Save the date for our Kickoff Event the first week...

Spooky, scary skeletons show up in October for Halloween - but are they accurate to the real animals they depict?     Can you match the Halloween skeleton to the actual animal?    Print this image     Answer Key  

 

As temperatures drop in Hillsborough County, Florida, more visitors head to the Nature Preserves during the early evenings. Florida is known for its beautiful sunsets, but as night falls, the distinct sounds of its wildlife become more evident. The usual suspects make their presence known, with frogs, owls, and insects all sounding off. But, there are some Hillsborough County residents whose calls can startle the unsuspecting. My own curiosity has led me to research these nocturnal sounds over the years. Here are several of the most common and distinctive: A shrieking cry, echoing as a call and response across the water. This sharp cry, often reverberating along the Hillsborough River, belongs to the Limpkin  ( Aramus guarauna ). These large, cryptic birds are often impossible to spot in the dark. Males use these calls to define their territories and beckon potential mates. A limpkin in Lettuce Lake Conservation Park. Photo submitted by Alana Thevenet. If you come across these ...

If you are looking to learn about organisms that can be amazing, terrifying, and beautiful, look no further than fungi. Firstly, you may ask yourself, what are fungi? Fungi were once considered plants, but they do not photosynthesize. In fact, they are more closely related to animals than other plants, and they are classified in their own kingdom, separate from plants and animals.  Fungi include mushrooms, toadstools, truffles, mold, mildew, and yeast.  If they do not photosynthesize like plants or eat like animals, how do they sustain themselves? Fungi are heterotrophic , which means their nourishment comes from other organisms. Fungi gain this nourishment by digesting their food externally, and then absorbing it.  Many species feed on decaying organic matter like rotting wood, but some can go on the offensive as pathogens attacking plants, people, and other organisms. If a popular show about killer fungi comes to mind, you are not far off. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis,...

As I drive through the heart of Riverview, I find myself immersed in a bustling suburban neighborhood. Crowds of students flood the sidewalks as the regular Florida morning traffic picks up. The area has a peaceful character; it doesn't feel as cramped as Tampa, but the surging population of one hundred thousand people makes its presence known. Space is at a premium, even here in Riverview, which so stubbornly identifies itself as a place between others that we call it a "census-designated place" rather than a city. Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctata)  lines the gravel drive leading into Bell Creek Nature Preserve. I turn into a gravel driveway, passing a sign reading “Bell Creek Nature Preserve.” The 2-acre facility on site, responsible for managing many Nature Preserves in Hillsborough County, is surprisingly small. I think about the environmental techs who perpetually pull into the back, stepping out of trucks covered in soot and drenched with sweat after putting out a...