Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation Kicks Off Its Mural Campaign

First Project Inspires Community Corridor Pride in Crystal River

Crystal River, Fla. (September 14, 2022) – It was a morning full of community, collaboration, and color in the City of Crystal River, as the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation (FWCF) began the first project of their multi-town mural campaign along with selected artist Kelly Quinn from Canvas of the Wild. Art students from Lecanto High School and all three teen trekkers from the Foundation’s recent film, Home Waters, joined Quinn as contributors to the mural.

“The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation is committed to aligning efforts that lead to conservation and awareness of the Florida Wildlife Corridor to inspire support statewide and beyond,” said Mallory Dimmitt, Chief Executive Officer at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. “Through this mural campaign, we are energizing the local community by cultivating Corridor Pride that champions this important geographic connection and recognizes the importance of connecting people to nature.”

Canvas of the Wild’s goal is to inspire awareness and connection to the world’s oceans and the amazing life within them through art and technology. Near-Field Communication (NFC) touchpoints will be embedded in the mural that link to information about marine ecosystems and animals with the touch of a phone. An explorable version of the mural is also being made available online.

Crystal River was selected as the first mural location because of its critical link to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The 6.8 square mile coastal city, or self-proclaimed “Home of the Manatee,” is a center of global tourism year-round. Crystal River is known for its world-class fishing, pristine waterways, and breathtaking views. The areas unique ecosystem plays a large role within the Corridor itself. How the county grows will determine the fate of wildlife, clean waters, and the natural beauty locals take pride in. Crystal River’s connection to the Florida Wildlife Corridor makes it a perfect spot to begin this series of murals, bringing attention to the importance of Florida’s ecosystem.

There are currently two other mural locations planned for this season, followed by another six locations in 2023. The majority will intersect with the most at-risk ecologically significant Corridor connections in Florida. The impact spans even further by allowing onlookers to view the mural while surrounded by the lands that need the most protection. While the murals are a creative way to inform and inspire viewers of the importance of protecting Florida’s environment, the campaign strives to create deeper connections between communities and their corner of the Corridor to keep Florida wild.

This Crystal River mural was made possible by the support of the following:

To provide more information, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation has developed a media kit with photos, campaign overview, and a fact sheet to reference for the new campaign, available here. Please feel free to download and use these materials.