McIntosh Preserve

06/19/2026

🇺🇸🎆 Celebrate Independence Day with us! 🎆🇺🇸

The McIntosh Preserve Ranger Team will be at the City of Plant City's 4th of July Celebration, and we'd love to see you there!

Stop by our booth to:
🎁 Spin for fun prizes
📸 Snap a picture at our selfie wall
🌿 Meet your local Rangers and learn about McIntosh Preserve and upcoming programs

Enjoy an evening filled with food trucks, live music, family activities, vendors, and an incredible fireworks show to end the night!

📅 Saturday, July 4
🕔 5:00–9:30 PM
📍 Plant City Stadium

Be sure to stop by and say hello—we can't wait to celebrate with you! ❤️🤍💙

We’re back and ready to celebrate BIG, and the countdown is officially ON for Plant City’s 4th of July Celebration! 🇺🇸🎆

This is one of our most anticipated community events, and it’s coming up fast—so don’t wait to make your plans! Join us for an unforgettable evening of patriotic fun, family activities, great food, and a spectacular Zambelli Fireworks show as we celebrate America's 250th Birthday together.

🚨 NEW EVENT ENTRANCE: All guests should enter through the Plant City Stadium back parking lot using the GFS Drive Entrance. Please help us spread the word!

Location: Plant City Stadium (1810 E. Park Rd.)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Admission: FREE
Parking: $5 per vehicle (CASH ONLY) – Gates open at 4:30 PM
Activities & Stadium Gates Open: 5:00 PM
Zambelli Fireworks Grand Finale: 9:15 PM (time may vary due to weather)

FREE Admission | FREE Kids Activities | Food Trucks | Local Vendors | Live DJ | 50/50 Raffle

Bring your family and your red, white & blue spirit for an evening full of community fun and celebration!

Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Email [email protected] for more information.

06/19/2026

🔥🌲 Junior Ranger Field Activity – Fire-Friendly Forests 🌲🔥

Did you know that fire is a natural and essential part of many Florida ecosystems? This month, Junior Rangers will discover how lightning and carefully managed prescribed burns help keep our forests healthy and thriving.

We'll learn:
🔥 Why some habitats actually need fire
🌿 How prescribed burns benefit native plants and wildlife
🐢 Which Florida animals depend on fire-maintained habitats to survive
🚒 How land managers safely use prescribed fire to protect both people and nature

Through hands-on activities and exploration, young Rangers will discover why fire isn't always something to fear—it can be one of nature's greatest tools for renewal!

📅 Saturday, July 11, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 McIntosh Preserve

Junior Ranger programs are designed to inspire curiosity, encourage outdoor exploration, and help kids become the next generation of environmental stewards. We hope you'll join us for another exciting adventure!

06/19/2026

🦋 National Pollinator Month: Monarch Butterflies

Did you know that not all monarch butterflies migrate?

In South Florida, many monarchs live year-round thanks to the warm climate. While that may sound like a good thing, it has created an unexpected challenge. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), a non-native species commonly sold in garden centers, doesn't naturally die back in winter like Florida's native milkweeds. This allows monarchs to breed continuously instead of following their natural seasonal cycles.

Unfortunately, year-round breeding can increase the spread of a harmful parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE). As infected butterflies lay eggs on the same plants over and over, parasite spores build up on the leaves, making it easier for future generations to become infected. Butterflies with heavy OE infections often emerge with weakened bodies or crumpled wings, making it difficult—or impossible—for them to fly.

The good news? You can make a real difference!

🌿 Plant native Florida milkweeds, which support monarchs while fitting into our local ecosystems.
🌼 Add a variety of native flowering plants to provide nectar throughout the year.
🐝 Reduce or eliminate pesticide use, especially insecticides that can harm butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.

Small changes in our own backyards can create healthier habitats for monarchs and the many other pollinators that keep Florida's ecosystems thriving.

Every native flower planted is another stop along a monarch's journey.

06/12/2026

Visit McIntosh Preserve for a day of nature and relaxation during your summer break!

06/08/2026

🐝 Pollinator Month Spotlight: American Bumblebee 🐝

The American Bumblebee (American Bumblebee) is one of North America's important native pollinators. Unlike non-native honey bees, American Bumblebees evolved alongside many of our native plants and are especially effective pollinators thanks to a behavior called "buzz pollination," where they vibrate flowers to release pollen.

Unfortunately, American Bumblebee populations have declined significantly in recent decades due to habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and climate change. Protecting native bees is critical because they help pollinate wildflowers, support healthy ecosystems, and contribute to the production of many fruits and vegetables we enjoy.

You can help native pollinators by planting native flowering plants, reducing pesticide use, and leaving small areas of natural habitat where bees can nest and forage. Every pollinator-friendly space—no matter how small—makes a difference! 🌼💛🐝

06/01/2026

🌼🐝 June is National Pollinator Month! 🦋🌻

Did you know that nearly 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat depends on pollinators? These incredible animals help plants reproduce by moving pollen from one flower to another, supporting healthy ecosystems and food production around the world.

When people think of pollinators, honey bees often come to mind, but many other animals play an important role, including:
🐝 Native bees
🦋 Butterflies and moths
🐞 Beetles
🐦 Hummingbirds
🦇 Bats
🐝 Wasps and other insects

Pollinators help produce fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds while also supporting the wildflowers and native plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Unfortunately, many pollinator populations face challenges from habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive species, and climate change. The good news is that everyone can help! Planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use, and providing habitat can make a big difference.

Throughout National Pollinator Month, we'll be highlighting some of the amazing pollinators that call Florida home and sharing ways you can help support them.

Help us protect these integral species that help make the world go around. 🌎🐝🌼

05/29/2026

Sign up for Reelin' With A Ranger! We hope to see you there!

Our fan-favorite Reelin’ with a Ranger Fishing Derby is making its return, and it’s shaping up to be another great one! 🎣

Grab your crew (ages 3+) and join us for a laid-back morning of fishing, laughs, and some friendly competition. Whether you're going for the biggest catch, smallest catch, or just casting for fun, it’s all about making memories. No experience is needed — just show up ready to enjoy the day!

Our McIntosh Preserve Rangers will be on-site to lend a hand and keep the good times rolling out on the water.

🗓️ Saturday, June 13 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Plant City Stadium (back parking lot off Gordon Food Service Dr)
💲 $12 per team (up to 6 anglers)

📣 Registration is now OPEN!
https://www.register.plantcitygov.com/plantcity

Registration Instructions:
• Only one account is needed to register your team.
• Add the Team Captain registration to your cart first.
• Once you reach the checkout page, complete the account details, sign the required disclaimers, and fill out the registration information.
• During registration, you will enter your team name and add all team members.
• Registration is only $12.00 per team.

05/29/2026

🚴‍♀️🌿 Wheels in Motion at McIntosh Preserve! 🌿🚴‍♂️

Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for a fun morning bike ride through the beautiful trails of McIntosh Preserve! Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just looking to enjoy the outdoors, this is a great chance to get moving, explore nature, and connect with the community.

📅 Date: June 13, 2026
🕢 Time: Starts at 7:30 AM
📍 Location: McIntosh Preserve
775 E Knights Griffin Rd

Bring your bike, water, and a sense of adventure! Helmets are strongly encouraged.

We hope to see you out on the trail! 🚲✨

05/20/2026

🐍 Meet one of our slithery residents — the Corn Snake! 🐍

Despite their dramatic looks, corn snakes are non-venomous and play an important role in the environment by helping control rodent populations. They’re generally shy snakes that would much rather avoid people than cause trouble!

A few fun facts:
🍂 Corn snakes (sometimes called red rat snakes) are excellent climbers and can even scale trees.
🌽 Their name may come from the corn-like pattern on their bellies or because they were often found near grain stores hunting mice.
🧡 Their beautiful orange and red coloring helps them blend into leaves and forest floors.

While corn snakes are not dangerous to humans, we still encourage everyone to admire wildlife from a respectful distance. Even non-venomous snakes can bite if they feel scared or stressed, and handling wildlife improperly can injure the animal as well.

Our staff are trained in safe wildlife handling, so if you spot a snake during a program or out in the parks, the best thing you can do is give it space and enjoy the sighting safely. 🐍✨