The Trailblazer

 If you have ever taken a hike at one of our incredible properties, you’ll know that there’s a shift in sound that only shows up once you’re far enough from pavement. It doesn’t happen immediately, but it slowly creeps in after the trailhead disappears behind you, after your backpack has started to dig a little into your shoulders, and you've started to work up a sweat on your hike. At first, it feels as though the world has gone quiet, there are no more sounds of cars whizzing by, no phone alerts or distant chatter. You might just let out a sigh of relief to finally be away from it all. Then, slowly, your ears begin to tune themselves to a different hustle and bustle. The sounds of life. If you’ve ever stood beneath an oak tree teeming with cicadas at dusk during the summer, you know just how deafening the natural world can be. And if you’ve come out to spend the night camping, when the sun begins to sink and the firelight replaces the day, the world shifts again. That’s the mom...

If you’ve ever strolled along Florida’s coastline, you’ve likely seen them—tall, golden grasses waving gently in the ocean breeze. These are sea oats ( Uniola paniculata ), a native plant that’s as beautiful as it is vital to our shoreline. More than just a scenic backdrop, sea oats play a critical role in protecting our beaches and coastal communities. Sea oats are key players in dune formation and stabilization. Their strong, fibrous roots anchor sand in place, helping build and maintain the dunes that act as natural barriers against wind, waves, and storm surge. These plants are uniquely adapted to thrive in salty, sandy, sun-drenched conditions where few others can survive. In doing so, they provide essential habitat for a variety of wildlife, from burrowing crabs to coastal birds. Because of their importance, sea oats are protected under Florida law. It is illegal to pick or damage them, even a single blade. Disturbing these plants can lead to erosion and dune loss, putting homes,...

The Channel Park Trailhead sign welcomes you to enjoy the Upper Tampa Bay Trail  Winding through the suburbs of northwest Hillsborough County, there's a perfect path to take a break from the buzz of car traffic and get your body moving. Shaded by oaks, palms, and pines; the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is a unique part of the Conservation and Environmental Lands Management department. While not a standard Conservation Park, this trail provides recreation opportunities for thousands of patrons a week, while also acting as a natural area buffer in suburban areas for native plants and wildlife.  Much of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail was originally a railroad route, created in the early 1900’s by W.P. Lutz for his Tampa and Gulf Coast Railway. This railroad company connected areas of Tampa with Tarpon Springs and St Petersburg. As time ticked on, the use of the railway in the Tampa area slowed to a halt. In the 1990’s, “rails to trails” programs throughout the country began to reclaim unuse...

The reality of living in Florida and loving the outdoors is that if you want to take advantage of the beauty of nature year-round, you’re going to have to be out in the heat. Summer days give us the most hours of fun, holiday weekends and school breaks afford some of us more time to explore with those we love, and summer brings the magic of nature in cicada song and lightning bug glow.  Summer hiking in the Sunshine State requires special preparation. The combination of high heat, intense humidity, and potential afternoon thunderstorms can make your outing challenging if you're not ready. With proper planning and preparation, you can beat the summer heat and have a safe day outside! Plan Your Outing Before you lace up your hiking boots, take a few minutes to plan your hike. Choose a trail that suits your fitness level and check the map beforehand. Look for trails that follow or loop near bodies of water, which often offer cooling breezes and occasional shade.  Bring a printed ...

Happy May! You've done it, you've completed the  9 th   annual Hiking Spree hikes! Have you collected your rewards yet? Don't delay, they'll be gone after May!  What do you do when you’ve completed the Hiking Spree? 1. Fill out the Hiking Spree Completion Form online . You’ll need the confirmation email you receive to pick up your rewards and we need this to know which trails are your favorite and make changes for next year. 2. Step outside and collect your prize!  We’ve introduced more in-person pickup sites to help you get your rewards as soon as possible. Bring your confirmation and collect your rewards at any of these locations: Bell Creek Nature Preserve Conservation Parks Admin Office Edward Medard Conservation Park Gardenville Recreation Center Jackson Springs Community Center Lettuce Lake Conservation Park Lithia Springs Conservation Park Miller Park & Life Center Ruskin Recreation Center Westchase Recreation Center Please chec...

Lithia Springs provides a great place for recreation As the weather gets warmer, celebrate Spring with one of the favorite past times of Florida - taking a dip in a natural spring! With over 1000 springs in Florida giving us cool, clear water from the Floridan Aquifer there’s no reason to miss out on the fun.  Long before tube floating, glass bottom boat tours, and SPF 50, Florida’s springs have been hotspots of biological diversity both big and microscopic. While we like to swim and play, plants and animals have been using springs as a source of food, shelter, and life for ages – and we know this because even today fossils of plants, fish, and long-gone prehistoric animals can be found in and around springs. The Alafia River provides opportunity for fishing, canoeing, and quiet reflection at Lithia Springs Conservation Park If you’re interested in learning more, observing springs wildlife, or dipping your toes in that cool water, check out Lithia Springs Conservation P...

If you join the Trail CATS on a Saturday workday, walk around an event like the Prescribed Fire Fest, or pop in to Bell Creek’s office for a moment there’s a good chance you’ll run into James Robe. As a Trailblazer subscriber, you already know James - he’s likely written some of your favorite pieces. In the two years James has been with our department he’s added an immense amount of value to some of our biggest programs, so let’s take a moment to better meet an old friend.  Before joining us, James was in the Florida Conservation Corps, through Americorps. He was an “ANT,” not the insect but an “AmeriCorps Nonnative plant Terminator.” Pretty nifty job title, right? “ANT members are basically full-time spray techs; you spend most of your time   surveying for and treating invasive exotic plants. It was a crash course in identifying plants, as well as understanding the landscape. I spent several hundred hours just surveying state land, planning herbicide treatments, and twice as ...