July has come to an end, which means that across Florida, swallow-tailed kites are gathering in spectacular communal roosts before beginning their long migration back to Brazil. After a season spent raising their young, thousands of these birds come together within the wild and working lands of the Florida Wildlife Corridor to regroup ahead of their 5,000-mile journey.

Watching these graceful birds gather each summer reminds me that some of nature’s greatest displays happen through connection, collaboration, and community. The same forces that are at the heart our work here at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.

This month, we’re honored to be recognized as one of Florida Trend’s Best Companies to Work For in Florida for the second year in a row. As we celebrate this achievement, we’re also excited to grow our award-winning team with the addition of an Impact Campaigns Coordinator.

We’re also celebrating the power of storytelling by highlighting the winners of our 2026 Photo Contest and the opening of a new Wild Space Gallery exhibit by artist Ernesto Maranje.

Finally, you’ll read about some exciting conservation initiatives led by our partners, including the launch of Florida’s Coastal Corridor and the Okefenokee Swamp’s designation as the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I hope you enjoy the updates below.

In Connection,

Mallory Dimmitt
CEO
Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

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Corridor Foundation Recognized As Top Company To Work For In Florida:

For the second consecutive year, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation has been recognized as one of the Best Companies To Work For In Florida by Florida Trend, reflecting the collaborative culture the team brings to the Corridor movement.

Connection is at the heart of our culture. We believe lasting conservation outcomes are achieved through collaboration, and we work every day to build partnerships, inspire action, and strengthen the movement to protect wild Florida.  

Being named one of the Best Companies To Work For In Florida reflects the culture our team has built together, one where people are empowered to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact on the future of Florida. 

Learn more about this achievement at the link here.

2026 Florida Wildlife Corridor Photo Contest Winners:

This year, nearly 150 photographers submitted more than 820 images to our photo contest, and our panel of judges narrowed them down to the top three in each of four unique categories.

Together, these winning images showcase the beauty, diversity, and importance of the Florida Wildlife Corridor while helping tell the story of our statewide network of connected lands and waters. We hope these winning images inspire others to explore and protect wild Florida for generations to come.

1st Place Winners:
Color In The Corridor Category⁠ – Flamingo Surprise by Matt Bruce⁠
Old Florida Category – Old Florida on the Nature Coast by Matt Bruce⁠
Small But Significant Category – Florida Fireflies by Jose Torres⁠
Rare & Threatened Category – Big Baby by Gabriel Jensen

See all 12 winning photos at the link here.

We’re Hiring – Impact Campaigns Coordinator:

Our Impact Campaigns team is growing!

The Impact Campaigns Coordinator position supports the planning, coordination, and execution of the Foundation’s Impact Campaigns, advancing the Florida Wildlife Corridor mission through project management, partner coordination, community engagement, and campaign logistics.

Reporting to the Impact Campaigns Director, this role serves as the operational backbone of the Foundation’s public-facing campaigns, helping coordinate films, expeditions, volunteer opportunities, murals, exhibits, and other engagement efforts. Working closely with the Impact Campaigns, Conservation, and Convenings teams, the position translates campaign plans into organized execution, ensuring projects remain coordinated, on schedule, and effectively delivered.

Learn more about the position and apply today at the link here.

Ernesto Maranje – To The Edge of the Wild Opening Reception:

You are invited to Wild Space Gallery on August 8th for the opening of Ernesto Maranje: To the Edge of the Wild and a conversation between the Artist and Jenee Priebe, Founder/Owner of No Good Deeds Art and Former Director of SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival.

The conversation will center on the debut of a new series of paintings, drawings, and wall mural, Panther and Egret.

Join us to learn more about Maranje’s visually arresting tales of Florida animals as they interact with their natural environments and their relationship to all living things on the march of evolution and change.

Click the link here to RSVP for the exhibit opening.

Fish & Wildlife Foundation Launch New Coastal Corridor Initiative:

Just as the Florida Wildlife Corridor demonstrates the importance of connecting Florida’s landscapes for wildlife, Florida’s Coastal Corridor applies that same vision in the water by connecting and restoring critical coastal habitats.

Working alongside local governments, scientists, reef builders, conservation organizations, and coastal communities, Florida’s Coastal Corridor is building a healthier future for Florida’s waters and the people who depend on them.

We’re excited to see habitat connectivity continue to gain momentum across Florida and applaud our partners at the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission for launching this important marine initiative.

Learn more about their Coastal Corridor project at the link here.

Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Becomes UNESCO World Heritage Site:

The Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site!⁠
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Located on the Florida-Georgia border, the Okefenokee Swamp is part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and serves as a natural extension of the Corridor into Georgia.⁠
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At nearly half a million acres, the Okefenokee is North America’s largest blackwater swamp. Its waters form the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys Rivers, its vast peat deposits store massive amounts of carbon, and it provides critical habitat for migratory birds and countless other species. The swamp also holds deep cultural significance for indigenous communities. ⁠
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The Okefenokee is a place of extraordinary ecological and cultural value, making it a truly deserving addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List.⁠