Last week, we completed our eighth Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition, the Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition from the Red Hills to the Gulf. What started as an idea to connect local elected officals to the land became something much deeper. Along the way, it became clear that shared experiences outdoors can build lasting connections, bridge political differences, and create common ground to protect the Corridor for both wildlife and people.

As we reflect on this journey, I am filled with gratitude for the partners, supporters, and champions who continue to move this vision forward. It is because of this collaboration that I know the Florida Wildlife Corridor is the future of our state.

In addition to the success of the expedition, this month we are also excited about:

• Our first ever Corridor Connect+ LIVE! coming to Ocala on May 20th, focusing on how working lands, wildlife habitat, and vibrant rural communities can thrive together.
• The launch of our Mind The Gaps modules in partnership with 1000 Friends of Florida, an online curriculum equipping local leaders with the tools to help close critical Corridor conservtion gaps.
• A Corridor double feature film screening at Winter Haven’s Ritz Theatre in partnership with Green Horizon Land Trust.
• New tax smart ways to give to accelerate the pace of corridor conservation.
• Expanding our communications team with the hiring of a Multimedia Coordinator.
• A new Author Series event at our Wild Space Gallery featuring Andrew Furman and his latest book Of Slash Pines and Manatees.
• Please enjoy the recap of the expedition and learn more about all the exciting Corridor Foundation updates below.

In Connection,

Mallory Dimmitt
CEO, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

Longleaf to Lighthouse Corridor Expedition Recap:

From April 21st to April 25th the Corridor Foundation embarked on our eighth Corridor Expedition, the Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition, a 110-mile journey from Thomasville, Georgia to the St. Marks Lighthouse.

Our trekkers were four local elected officals selected for their connection to wild Florida and their interest in learning more about the Corridor. Polk County Commissioner Becky Troutman, Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter, Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, and Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks.

The trek highlighted one of our critical conservation gaps within the Corridor and aimed to raise awareness for a landscape that connects wildlife, water, and working lands across an entire watershed. Below is a recap of the incredible expedition.

Day 1 our trekkers started in Thomasville, Georgia with a community launch and biked 27 miles into Florida through private pine and quail plantations protected with conservation easements. Along the way they met with the land owners and land managers from Tall Timbers to learn more about this fire dependent ecosystem and how it connects the Corridor across state lines.

Day 2 our trekkers paddled across Lake Miccosukee guided by our partners at The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. They ended the day biking the Miccosukee Greenway Trail into the Tallahassee, where they got to see a new residental development coming in along the edge of the Corridor.

Day 3 our trekkers paid a visit to the Florida State Capitol then made their way to Lafayette Hertitage Trail Park for a Florida Wildlife Corridor sign unveiling and paddle with Trust For Public Land. After the paddle the trekkers had a muddy hike towards the St. Marks River Rise where they finished the day with a stunning paddle on the spring fed river.

Day 4 our trekkers visited Wakulla Springs State Park where they met up with springs advocate and filmmaker Tessa Skiles. After enjoying the springs, our four trekkers met up with the original trekkers Mallory Dimmitt, Carlton Ward Jr., and Joe Guthrie to paddle the Wakulla River south to the St. Marks River confluence.

Day 5 our trekkers woke up early for a swim across the St. Marks River to hike the Florida Trail into the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Once in the refuge they biked and hiked their way to the finish line where they got to soak in the views of the Gulf from the top of the St. Marks Lighthouse. The expedition concluded with a finale celebration at Wakulla Springs State Park, co-hosted with the Florida State Parks Foundation.

While the expedition may have ended, the journey has only just begun. A documentary film crew from Port Side Productions were with the trekkers every step of the way and will be creating a short film releasing this fall.

To see a full video recap of the expedition, check out our Instagram highlight reel at the link here.

To pull off expeditions like these it truly takes a village and we want to thank all of those who lent a hand every step of the way:

Corridor Connect+ LIVE In Ocala On May 20th:

Join us in the heart of Marion County for a special evening bringing together landowners, conservation leaders, horse farm advocates, and community members committed to keeping the Florida Wildlife Corridor connected and protected. Set against Ocala’s world-renowned horse country, this convening will explore how working lands, wildlife habitat, and vibrant rural communities can thrive together. 

Following a kickoff networking hour and partner expo, we are honored to feature keynote speaker Ben Masters, National Geographic Explorer and acclaimed filmmaker. His storytelling on wildlife connectivity, ranching heritage, and conservation stewardship reflects the collaborative spirit shaping Marion County and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The keynote will be followed by a reception featuring a hosted bar and Florida-inspired bites. 

Throughout the evening, guests will: 

• Connect with fellow landowners and conservation partners 
• Learn about practical stewardship tools and opportunities 
• Explore how smart planning and rural land protection support both working lands and habitat 
• Engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of Marion County 

Whether you are a horse farm owner, conservation advocate, community leader, or simply passionate about Florida’s landscapes, this event offers a chance to be part of a solutions-focused conversation shaping the region’s future. 

Click here to register today – tickets are limited. We hope you’ll join us for this evening of partnership, purpose, and place.

100 Friends of Florida Mind The Gaps Online Curriculum

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation has partnered with 1000 Friends of Florida to develop a set of practical tools aimed at closing critical gaps within the Corridor. These online modules are for local leaders, staff, and community members, to help identify opportunities and methods to protect vital linkages in the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Module 1 is geared toward elected officials and community stakeholders. It provides an overview of the Corridor, presentation about the economic benefits of smart growth as it relates to land conservation, and a panel discussion about the roles of local officials, regional planners and landowners working together toward a common goal.

Module 2 is created for planning practitioners and includes demonstrations of powerful mapping resources, advice on community visioning, and practical policies that can be implemented to guide development patterns that minimize impact to agricultural and natural areas.

Click the link here to watch the modules and learn more about how you can help keep the Florida Wildlife Corridor connected.

Corridor Double Feature At Winter Haven’s Ritz Theatre:

Please join the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and Green Horizon Land Trust for a celebration of storytelling and conservation on Friday, May 29th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Historic Ritz Theatre in Winter Haven.

The evening will include screenings of The Wild Divide and Building Wild Spaces, Connectivity on I-4followed by a moderated panel featuring Brent Setchell, Kelly Quinn, and Tabitha Biehl.

Click the link below to get your tickets for $10 (free for students and children).

New Tax Smart Ways To Support The Corridor Foundation:

Although tax season has just come to an end, we have some new, financially beneficial ways you can help keep the Corridor connected thanks to our partners at FreeWill: 

• Stock or cryptocurrency contributions: Avoid the capital gains tax
• IRA gifts (for those 70.5 or older): Reduce your taxable income and, if you’re 73+, fulfill your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
• Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Grants: Sustain our efforts with funds you have already set aside

Click the link below to explore the tax advantages and make your contributions within minutes today.

We’re Hiring – Multimedia Coordinator:

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation is hiring a Multimedia Coordinator!

The Multimedia Coordinator will play a key role in bringing our visual storytelling and communications to life. Reporting to the Creative Director, this position will be primarily focused on graphic design, with additional responsibilities in copywriting and multimedia content development.

This role supports a wide range of organizational initiatives, including rotating Wild Space Gallery exhibitions, fundraising campaigns, impact campaigns initiatives, and more. The ideal candidate is a highly creative, detail-oriented communicator who can translate ideas into compelling visual and written assets across multiple platforms.

Applications close May 10th, click the link here to learn more and apply.

Andrew Furman Presents Of Slash Pines and Manatees At Wild Space:

Join Wild Space Gallery on Wednesday May 20th from 5-8pm for a presentation by South Florida based essayist and Florida Atlantic University English professor Andrew Furman, as he presents his book, Of Slash Pines and Manatees: A Highly Selective Field Guide to My Suburban Wilderness. In this vivid and reflective work, Furman blends personal narrative with keen observations of the subtropical landscapes that surround his everyday life, revealing the unexpected wildness thriving within suburbia.⁠
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Presentation from 6-7pm, followed by a reception and book signing. Books will be available for purchase. ⁠

This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of Bradley S. and Marta E. Pollitt and Family. ⁠

Click the link here to RSVP.

(Un)Natural Geographies Showing At Wild Space Gallery:

(Un)Natural Geographies: The Maps of Ibrahim Miranda and Erin Oliver is on display at Wild Space Gallery from April 11th to May 30th.

(Un)Natural Geographies: The Maps of Ibrahim Miranda and Erin Oliver presents two international artists with distinctive approaches to cartography through the lens of Cuba and Florida. Miranda applies traditional techniques like woodcut and silkscreen printing to Cuban maps dense with scientific data, then overlays textures and figurative elements to create a visual language closer to painting. Oliver renders fluid marks onto mylar site maps of Florida’s underground karst formations and contradicts the certainty of the mapped data to evoke a corporeal experience of the physical land.

Wild Space Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 2-6pm.
Address: 2606 Fairfield Ave S BLDG #7, St. Petersburg, FL 33712