Protect the Land, Preserve the Magic: Spring Awakens
Spring in Florida: New Growth, Lots of Color, and Curious Wildlife
Wild Florida is buzzing with energy. But there’s something you might not know still exists — and it’s truly magical. Keep reading!
All of this seasonal excitement depends on wild, protected land. Without land conservation, these natural wonders face growing threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and development.
a peek into just some of the excitement spring brings ⬇️
Did You Know Fireflies Still Exist in Florida?
Firefly Nights hosted by Friends of Blue Spring State Park | Photos courtesy of Melissa Gibbs, Professor of Biology at Stetson University
From late winter to early summer, fireflies — yes, lightning bugs! — light up the night in some of Florida’s most undisturbed natural areas. These glowing beetles thrive in healthy intact habitats near water, tall grasses, and trees — far from artificial lights and urban development.
But here's the thing: they need protected lands to survive. We want future generations of Floridians to hear birdsong in the mornings, see panther tracks in the sand, and watch lightning bugs dance at dusk.
Firefly sightings are rare and fleeting, making them one of spring’s most magical treasures. Want to see them for yourself? Check with your local state park or nature preserve to see if they host a firefly viewing event!
Land Conservation Is for Nature and People
Florida — our home — is changing fast. At Conservation Florida, we’re working to keep Florida wild — for the animals, the family farms, and for people like you who love this state. We work statewide every day to protect and connect land, filling in the gaps of the Florida Wildlife Corridor — a vast 18-million-acre network of green space that helps wildlife move, migrate, and survive.
The catch? Not all of that land is protected yet, and we need the help of of our communities to keep land protection a top of mind. It takes all of us.
We’re proud to have protected more than 40,000 acres Florida since 1999. Every $1 spent on land conservation has yielded $36 in conservation impact. That means your gift has been multiplied by a factor of 36! This track record shows that not only are we making a difference for Florida’s native species, but we are also working hard to stretch our resources to protect as much land as possible.
When We Protect Land, We Protect the Joys of Spring
The colors, the sounds, the flashes of light on a spring evening — all of these springtime joys depend on keeping Florida wild. By protecting land, we’re preserving the very essence of spring.
Let’s keep the magic glowing. ✨
in case you missed it:
About Conservation Florida:
Conservation Florida is an accredited, nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to conserving the Sunshine State’s water, wildlife, wild places, and connecting a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has saved more than 40,000 acres, serving all 67 counties in Florida, by prioritizing strategic and evidence-based land protection, education, and advocacy.
Follow us on social media @conservationflorida.
