The Trailblazer

  As development continues to grow around natural areas, understanding the role of fire becomes increasingly important. Residents may occasionally see smoke near preserves or parks, but these signs often indicate proactive land management. To mimic natural fire cycles and prevent uncontrolled wildfires, land managers in Hillsborough County use prescribed fire as a carefully planned land management tool. Burns are conducted only under specific weather conditions and follow strict safety guidelines to protect nearby neighborhoods, roadways, and air quality. By continuing to use prescribed fire as a land management tool, we are protecting native ecosystems, supporting wildlife, and preserving the natural character of the Tampa Bay region. Fire and Ecosystems Many of the Earth's ecosystems are adapted to naturally occurring fire cycles. Some even largely depend on fire for survival! Key fire-dependent ecosystems found in and around Hillsborough County include: Pine Flatwoods - One of t...

Prescribed Fire Fest is BACK for 2026 and it's going to be the biggest year yet! Join us at Medard Park on February 21st from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. for this free event offering activities sure to please all ages. This year we've added even MORE kid's 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. What is Fire Behavior? Visit the NEW Prescribed Fire Education Base Camp to learn the factors that influence how fires burn, and how we plan for them. We expanded last year’s Prescribed Fire Education Station and created a full-blown Base Camp! Visitors of all ages can explore how weather, fuels, and topography influence prescribed fire planning and behavior. Interactive demonstrations will take place throughout the day. 2. Learn how a prescribed fire works from above at a Sandbox Demonstrat...

  Since 2016 this festival has been a can’t-miss event! The  Florida Birding & Nature Festival  aims to promote appreciation and conservation of Florida’s birds, its wildlife and their habitats through responsible nature-based tourism and public awareness. After the storms in 2024, the festival planners decided to move the festival to the spring, coinciding with the spring migration and the birds' return, This year the festival will be held from April 9th through the 12th   at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) Suncoast Youth Conservation Center at 6650 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL. Field trips and hikes will be held nearby at  Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve, Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park, Blackwater CReek Nature Preserve, Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve, Fred and Ida Shultz Nature Preserve  and many other wild locations throughout Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties! The festi...

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...

  Winter months are some of the best times to get outdoors here in Florida, but also some of the most stressful. Between various holidays, travel, social events, work, family, and a myriad of other things - finding the time and inspiration to get outside can be difficult.  But time spent outside is so good for us as it is mentally and physically stimulating and can benefit our well-being. We put together a list of exciting activities you can try this winter to get outside.  We hope they give you some inspiration to try something new this season! Volunteer! Want to get involved this winter? We have so many opportunities to volunteer! Early December, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is hosting the  Tampa Bay Debris Derby , an annual event where teams get as much trash and debris out of the Tampa Bay as possible - and win prizes doing so.  The main event and weigh in is at EG Simmons Conservation Park.  In January, we're hosting our annual " Spruce Up T...

You can't hit the trails and collect your rewards without being registered for the Hiking Spree! Let's get you started with this quick and easy guide.  To register for the Hiking Spree, you'll want to have a webtrac account already made, and all of your family members added into your household. To see how to do that, see our " Adding Family Members " guide (which also includes information on creating an account).  Once that's done, you'll go to the Hiking Spree event . A link to that page can also be found on the " Registration and Trails List " page.  Click on the grey box where is says "Hiking Spree." You'll see more event information drop down.  At the bottom of that information box, click the box under "Add To Cart. "  A pop up box will show up on the bottom of your screen.  Click "Add to cart." A screen will appear where you will click the box for every household member you want to register for the Hiking Sp...