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. Taking place just outside Tallahassee, the heart of Florida’s conservation decision-making, this expedition offered a rare opportunity to connect the people shaping the state’s future directly with the lands they are entrusted to protect.

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.

The Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition brought together four local elected officials selected for their connection to wild Florida and their interest in learning more about the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Polk County Commissioner Becky Troutman, Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter, Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, and Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks ventured out of their meeting rooms and into the Corridor itself, experiencing firsthand the lands and waters they help shape through policy. Along the journey, they were joined by landowners, scientists, and storytellers who will helped them deepen their understanding of the land and the decisions that guide its future.

Day 1 – Thomasville Kickoff

Our trekkers journey started at Paradise Park in downtown Thomasville, Georgia with a community gathering, ribbon cutting with Thomasville Mayor Scott Chastain, and a group bike ride led by Karlos Bernart.

Here they biked 27 miles through private pine and quail plantations protected with conservation easements on their way back into Florida. 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. The day ended with the crew back in Florida camping under the stars near Lake Miccosukee.

Day 2 – Lake Miccosukee & Miccosukee Greenway Trail

Day 2 the trekkers paddled across Lake Miccosukee guided by our partners at The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Leading the paddle was Miccosukee Elder Michael Frank and Secretary of the Miccosukee Business Council William Popeye Osceola who educated the trekkers on the history and signifigance that the Apalachee region has to the tribe.

After the paddle, they met with Bud Chiles, son of former Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, to learn about conservation efforts on his family’s historic property. From there, the group continued south by bike along the Miccosukee Greenway Trail into Tallahassee, where they got to see the stark contrast of a new residental development coming in along the edge of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Day 3 – Lafayette Heritage Trail Park & St. Marks River Paddle

Day 3 our trekkers paid a visit to the Florida State Capitol then made their way to Lafayette Hertitage Trail Park, an urban park connected to the Corridor on the east side of the city. Here they met with representatives from Trust For Public Land, City of Tallahassee, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to speak about the amazing recreational opportunities the park provides to the community and to unveil the first Florida Wildlife Corridor sign within a city park.

Partners and staff then joined the expedition for a scenic paddle of Piney Z lake within the park. After the paddle the trekkers continued on their journey with a muddy hike towards the St. Marks River. The long hike led the trekkers to St. Marks River Rise where they enjoyed a stunning paddle of the spring fed river, encountering plenty of wildlife along the way.

Day 4 – Wakulla Springs State Park & Wakulla River Paddle

Day 4 our trekkers visited Wakulla Springs State Park, a state park famous for one of the world’s largest and deepest springs. Here they met up with Florida springs advocate and underwater cinematographer Tessa Skiles for a lesson on Florida’s underwater world and how it is deeply tied to our land.

After the conversation they hiked the Sally Ward Trail, hopped on a boat tour of Wakulla Springs, and had fun jumping off the diving platform into the cool spring water. Our four trekkers then met up with the original Corridor Expedtion trekkers Mallory Dimmitt, Carlton Ward Jr., and Joe Guthrie outisde of the state park to paddle the Wakulla River south to the St. Marks River confluence.

Day 5 – St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge & Finale Celebration

Our trekkers woke early from camp on the final day to experience a foggy coastal landscape. Here they were given some time alone to journal and reflect on their incredible journey so far. They then swam across the St. Marks River to start a breathtaking section of the Florida Trail that leads into the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

After the scenic hike into the refuge, they biked a few miles and arrived at the lighthouse pool and levee trail, where they made the final push to the St. Marks Lighthouse. At the lighthouse they celebrated their achievement with the original trekkers Mallory Dimmitt, Carlton Ward Jr., and Joe Guthrie and were granted special access to the top of the Lighthouse where they looked over the Gulf.

The day concluded with a finale celebration at Wakulla Springs State Park co-hosted by the Florida State Parks Foundation. At the finale we heard from Florida Department of Environmental Protection leadership and our trekkers and film team participated in a panel discussion and Q&A about their experience.

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

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: