A Wild Florida Summer Thanks to you!
Photo credit: Anna Crocitto
Because of you, this summer has been
wildly amazing!
From protecting panther habitat to opening new trails, your support turned hot summer days into huge conservation wins.
Mind if we share some highlights?
Hereโs just some of what you made possible:
๐ฟ You helped conserve AP Ranch โ 1,003 acres of working lands in Highlands County, home to endangered Florida panthers. This land will remain forever wild, thanks to your support.
๐ถโโ๏ธ You also helped connect people to the land. In May, we opened 3.5 miles of hiking trails at D Ranch Preserve in Volusia County โ a once-private ranch thatโs now permanently protected and open for all to explore.
๐ You helped us tell Floridaโs conservation story โ and win an Emmy doing it! Our docuseries, Protect Our Paradise, took home a Suncoast Emmy Award, and we couldnโt have done it without you.
๐ Our Sunshine State Soirรฉe was a sold-out success! Together, we raised over $220,000 to protect Wild Florida. From cocktails to conservation, we celebrated the future weโre building โ with you at the center.
Photo credit (left to right): Anna Crocitto, Conservation Florida, Brandon A. Gรผell
But thatโs not allโฆ
๐ง You ensured that the largest underground cave system in the United States is protected forever. Chipโs Hole in Wakulla County was saved from development and will now become a preserve for public use and recreation, all thanks to your voices.
๐๏ธ We took your voice to Tallahassee. At our legislative reception, we brought lawmakers, landowners, and advocates together to champion land conservation and policy that supports protecting wild and working lands.
๐ Our summer interns have been hard at work at D Ranch Preserve โ helping restore trails, document wildlife, and support public access. On our blog, intern Raylynn shared a powerful reflection on conservation, connection, and what it means to grow up in Florida.
๐ป Conservation Florida made headlines! News outlets featured our work to give black bears room to roam, highlighting the importance of corridor connectivity and protecting habitat before it's gone.
๐ฑ And there's more good news: Our Private Lands Stewardship Program is officially serving landowners โ empowering Floridians across the state to conserve the places that matter most.
Photo credit (left to right): Carlton Ward Jr., Brandon A. Gรผell, Chris Werner
And through it all, your impact multiplied. Every $1 you give helps save $36 worth of Wild Florida โ protecting more land, more wildlife, and more of what makes this state special. Weโre just getting started โ and weโre so glad youโre on this journey with us.
Stay cool, and stay wild,
The Conservation Florida Team
in case you missed it:
About Conservation Florida:โฏ
Conservation Florida is an accredited, nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to conserving the Sunshine Stateโs 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.โฏ
Follow us on social media @conservationflorida.โฏ
