Wetland Preserve

Calling all native plant lovers!! 🌿

If you've been looking for an excuse to add a few more Florida natives to your yard (or your pollinator garden), here's your chance!

The UF Native Plant Nursery is hosting its annual Native Plant Sale on June 27-28. The event promotes native landscaping, pollinator habitat, and restoration practices, and features a wide variety of Florida native plants... some you won't find anywhere else! For more information contact Gage LaPierre at [email protected].

We are not affiliated with this event, but we love native plants and know many of our friends do too. Native plants provide important habitat for wildlife and pollinators while helping create more resilient Florida landscapes.

If you attend, we'd love to hear what treasures you bring home!

UF Native Plant Nursery · Gainesville, FL 32608 ★★★★★ · Educational institution

Did you know that nearly half of Florida is forested?

Check out this UF/IFAS study - Florida's forest industry supports more than 103,000 jobs and contributes nearly $29 billion to our state's economy! But the benefits don't stop there. Florida's forests also provide critical wildlife habitat, improve water quality, store carbon, reduce erosion, and help recharge our aquifer.

Sustainable forestry is an important conservation tool. When forests remain productive and economically viable, they are less likely to be converted to other land uses, helping to preserve the open spaces and natural landscapes that wildlife and future generations depend on.

At Wetland Preserve, we're grateful for the landowners, foresters, loggers, mill workers, and conservation professionals who help keep Florida's forests healthy, working, and thriving.

https://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/economic-impact-analysis-program/regional-economic-analysis/Florida-Forest-Products/

This innovative pilot program offers financial incentives to landowners who choose conservation over development, creating a new tool to help keep Florida's rural landscapes intact while supporting agriculture, forestry, ranching, and other working lands.

For wildlife, it means more connected habitat and healthier ecosystems. For Florida residents, it means clean water, protected natural resources, and a stronger Florida Wildlife Corridor. And for conservation-minded landowners, it's another voluntary option that rewards good stewardship.
When conservation works for both people and nature, everyone benefits. 🌿🦌🐻

"The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation teamed with The Balmoral Group to develop the Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) framework. Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) help cover the cost of choosing conservation instead of development, making it easier to keep the Florida Wildlife Corridor connected and keep land use compatible with nature."

*This pilot program is available to landowners in south-central Florida in the vicinity of the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape. This area includes all or parts of Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties.*

https://www.wildlifecorridorpes-fl.com

Tall Timbers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Northwest Florida Prescribed Burn Association invite you to join them in learning about Prescribed fire and wildlife!

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/43eseqk/lp/6ff45011-69ff-4a42-9530-94a7714c602c

Putnam Land Conservancy (PLC) and Burning for Birds Conservation Collaborative are teaming up for a bioblitz where you can help identify and record bird species to collect data on bird population size and movement patterns. All levels of birding expertise are welcome. Bring water and comfortable walking shoes. It will be helpful to use bird ID apps like Merlin or eBird to help identify and record your bird observations. RSVP with PLC . **Please note there are park entry fees that are still required for this event, RSVP to have your entrance fee covered by PLC. Spots are limited to 30 guests! We also recommend bringing water and wearing comfortable walking shoes. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdh19Eqk4OBn4J9TiG0GBWOxj4uVqxiyPl5jBWEeM9yuG2Kxg/viewform?pli=1

Living with wildlife is a reality for many people across Florida, from small farms and hobby livestock owners to large working lands. This workshop will explore practical strategies for reducing conflicts with wildlife while protecting pets and livestock. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase from the local 4-H club, with proceeds benefiting the Collier County 4-H Livestock club and Livestock show activities. Free workshop. See link above for details and registration

Twin fawns are not uncommon in healthy whitetail deer populations. When does have high-quality nutrition, they are more likely to successfully raise twins. Habitat management plays a huge role in that success.
One of the most important tools we use at Wetland Preserve is prescribed fire. Managed burns renew the understory vegetation by stimulating growth and allowing for an increase in plant diversity. New and more diverse growth provides deer with more nutritious forage throughout the year.
Healthier habitat leads to healthier wildlife — stronger does, healthier fawns, and improved reproduction rates. Seeing a mother doe with twin fawns is a beautiful reminder of how good stewardship directly benefits the land and the animals.