Friends of De Soto Memorial

On May 30th, 1539, Hernando de Soto and his fleet made history as they landed on the shores of Tampa Bay. With 12 ships navigating the deep waters, de Soto and his noble retinue came ashore, claiming La Florida for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. The expedition unloaded 1,000 men, women, and children, 250 horses, nearly 60 war dogs, and 500 black Iberian hogs—the first pigs ever introduced to North America. This moment marked the start of a four-year journey across 4,000 miles, forever changing the land and its people. The expedition’s legacy includes triumph, tragedy, and the untold stories of countless Indigenous communities. Discover the history that shaped Florida—visit De Soto National Memorial and walk in the footsteps of explorers.

On May 29th, Conquistador Hernando de Soto entered the southern pass of what is now Tampa Bay. Naming the bay "Bahia Espiritu Santo," he turned his fleet of five large proto-galleons and a Nao, two caravels, and assorted bergantines and pinnaces north of Anna Maria Island and south of Egmont Key. The ships quickly encountered several shoals and shallow sandbars, causing the larger vessels to run aground. The men aboard had to deploy the smaller boats and use "kedging" to pull the ships off the sandbars. De Soto then ordered the fleet to turn north and head toward a natural deep-water harbor well inside Tampa Bay, known today as Port Manatee.

The Indigenous people of Tampa Bay first arrived around 15,000 years ago. These nomadic groups entered a landscape filled with roaming herds of mammoth, sweeping grass plains, and fresh water springs. Over time, rising sea levels transformed the coast into what we know today. The Indigenous people adapted, harvesting mussels, clams, conches, and whelks. They fished for shark, mullet, snook, and redfish. The Calusa built large mounds of earth and shell, placing their homes and temples atop—some reaching heights of over 40 feet. They crafted long dugout canoes and traded with villages and peoples throughout the Gulf and Caribbean.

This Memorial Day, we honor the United States military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Across the nation, National Park Service sites help preserve the stories of courage, sacrifice, and service that shaped America’s military history. From battlefields and memorials to national cemeteries and historic sites, these places offer opportunities to reflect, remember, and learn about those who gave their lives in service.

Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/memorial-day.htm

Image: A National Park Service ranger on horseback pauses to view towering trees and cliffs at Yosemite National Park.

Ready for an unforgettable adventure? Join our Ranger-led Kayak Tours on June 18th & 21st and paddle through Florida’s stunning, historic waterways! Discover local wildlife, hear fascinating stories, and enjoy the beauty of nature—all equipment provided. Spots are limited, so don’t miss out! Reserve your seat today: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/10089289

🐢 Happy National Turtle Day from De Soto National Memorial! 🌊☀️
Did you know Florida is home to five species of sea turtles—loggerhead, green, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley, and hawksbill—all of which are protected under state and federal law?
As nesting season begins along Florida’s coast, our beaches and shorelines become even more important for these incredible animals. Sea turtles have been swimming in our oceans for over 110 million years, but today they face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and human disturbance. Last year, a loggerhead sea turtle nested on the sandy beaches of De Soto.
You can help protect sea turtles by:
🌿 Giving nesting turtles and marked nests plenty of space
🗑️ Picking up trash and leaving no trace
🌙 Keeping beaches dark at night to avoid disorienting hatchlings
Every small action helps keep Florida’s coast a safe place for sea turtles to return year after year. Have you ever spotted a sea turtle or tracks in the sand? Tell us in the comments!
Learn more: (https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/sea-turtles/florida/species/)