Wetland Preserve

08/14/2026

Some positive news to report! We have over an 80% (maybe even more) survival rate on these endangered, endemic little mint plants — aka Etoniah Rosemary.
Please take a minute to tune in and listen 🎧 to Ben narrate this short video. A lot of these little plants are even blooming with beautiful purple flowers.

08/04/2026

Evening views from the porch ❤️

07/30/2026

The survey is for landowners with a livestock operation on their property, is completely voluntary, and will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Please participate if you can!

Kayley Winter, a graduate student at Florida Gulf Coast University, is conducting an independent study on how Florida ranchers navigate development, economic, and family succession pressures. She’s seeking quality data behind the real challenges this community faces every day.

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

07/30/2026

https://youtu.be/46qWoQv0A88?si=nCvGpTbubB8ChaEa
The Florida Land Steward Program is an extension program of the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. The mission of the Program is to help and encourage private landowners to manage their lands for long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits. The program provides educational and networking services to landowners enrolled in Florida's Forest Stewardship Program, Florida Tree Farm Program, and anyone interested in long-term land stewardship.

The Florida Land Steward Program is an extension program of the UF/...

07/09/2026

Wildfire update at Wetland- we will share more details tomorrow but wanted to get this posted tonight.

07/06/2026

There's a running joke that I (Ashley) must smell like bear repellent. 😄 This is the second black bear video Ben's sent me in just a few days ....somehow, despite all the time I spend at Wetland... I still haven't seen one!
Anyway, this handsome guy—estimated by Louann to weigh over 300 pounds—seemed completely unbothered by the truck as he casually made his way down one of our interior roads.

Seeing bears like this is a great reminder that connected, healthy habitats allow wildlife to thrive. If you want to learn more about how to get involved with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation check out their page.

06/29/2026

"Enjoy the July 4th Holiday this coming week. Careful with those fireworks and before you light that fuse, make sure your county isn't under a burn ban. Next update will be posted the following week." - passing on this quick reminder form our good friend Chris Demers :) ...... If you don't already follow the Florida Land Steward Partnership I highly recommend getting their weekly email. You will find fun events, free webinars and more.
https://ffsfm.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/1f6572c92f8d41ec860f461ea433819b #

06/22/2026

For those of you who helped plant Ethonia rosemary at Wetland Preserve—and for all of our native plant enthusiasts following along—we wanted to share an update.
As you can see in the video, the plants are doing incredibly well! The yellow flags each mark an individual Ethonia rosemary plant, the survival rate is probably over 90%.
Super cool to see this rare, endemic, and endangered Florida species thriving here. Seeing these plants establish themselves and grow stronger is a reminder of what can happen when volunteers, conservation partners, and good habitat come together.
More updates to come as the summer progresses. ..We're hopeful that this year's bloom will be even more abundant than last year's!

06/10/2026

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!

★★★★★ · Educational institution

06/10/2026

We partnered with FWC through their Trap Share Program to install a hog trap at Wetland Preserve.
Wild hogs are an invasive species that can cause extensive damage to wetlands, native plants, wildlife habitat, and soil. Managing their populations is an important part of responsible land stewardship and helps protect the natural resources we are committed to conserving.
We appreciate FWC's partnership in helping landowners care for Florida's landscapes.