#naturecoast

[mountrainiernps]

Mountain Memories: Nature Coasting

During the 1920s-30s, “nature coasting” was a popular summer activity at Mount Rainier National Park. Park concession guides led groups up to the Nisqually or Paradise Glaciers to go sliding, wearing special “tin pants” made of heavy canvas that were waxed to make them more slippery and waterproof. The guided outings cost $2.50 per person in 1920, which included the clothing rental. 

Mount Rainier National Park Archives Footage (mora_25027; excerpt of “Rainier National Park in the Heart of the Pacific Northwest”). No audio. Available with audio description at https://go.nps.gov/MMem-NatureCoasting. ~kl

[naturecoaster]

How We Are Saving Wild Florida

Saving our wild Florida is imperative to keeping what we love about the Nature Coast – coastal estuaries, wide open spaces, parks, preserves, farms and ranches – alive and available for us to enjoy now while conserving these lands for our children and grandchildren. As NatureCoaster’s publisher, I am passionate about connecting you with the beauty and energy of our forests, springs, fields and dreams through the written word and images. I hope that this will inspire you to get out and experience the magic of being in nature for yourself. While many of our readers, contributors, and partners work toward this goal, one organization stands out as a leader in the cause: the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. It all started with a Biologist and a Bear At the onset of the breeding season in May 2010, a two-year-old male Florida black bear known as M34 began his journey from the south-central Florida oak scrub, across swamps, pine forests, and palmetto thickets in search of a mate, amidst central Florida’s development. M34’s nearly 500-mile roundtrip made Joe Guthrie notice. Joe is a wildlife biologist who caught and tagged the young bear in 2009. Joe wondered how wildlife could move through the myriad of roads, fences, and other human development that fragmented the little bear’s environment. Maximus is a baby bear rescued when his mother didn't make it to a wildlife crossing. He will reside at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for the rest of his life. Image courtesy of Joe Dube. A Conservationist, Photographer, and Filmmaker Joined the Movement In 2012, Joe joined Mallory Lykes-Dimmitt, a conservationist, Carlton Ward, a photographer, and Elam Stoltzfus, a filmmaker for a four-person expedition to experience a 100-day, 1000-mile journey that wildlife would need to traverse to get from the Everglades to Georgia’s Okefenokee swamp. This journey was shared by millions in the film, “The Florida Wildlife Corridor: Everglades to Okeefenokee. Two years later, a second film was made called, “The Forgotten Coast: Return to Wild Florida,” with the same premise of experiencing the challenges of traversing wild lands while skirting human development. This film highlighted Florida’s west coast, including our Nature Coast. The films were shown in parks, at community gatherings, and eventually, they were aired on WTBS, Tampa’s Public television channel, and then nationally on public television. You can watch them on YouTube any time, and the fantastic visuals along with the simple message resonated with audiences. More films were made. Some were under two minutes, some twenty minutes, but all contained the same message, “We have an important mission and you can be a part of it.” The goal of encouraging people to get out and use the corridor became a part of the messaging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBVREDcGa40 This short film was created to help legislators in Tallahassee understand the importance of a contiguous corridor of natural areas for Florida's wildlife. NatureCoaster was hired to help. NatureCoaster Assists in a Small Florida Wildlife Corridor Film In 2017, I worked with the Florida Wildlife Corridor on a very short film about the tiny black bear population that is isolated in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. The film was created to help communicate to our legislators about the importance of funding critical linkages to open space. I thought I would be writing and it turned out I was assisting in connecting the organization with local organizations who would be able to help in locations and such. I also manned the table at the film’s screening at the Valerie Theatre in Inverness when a volunteer didn’t show up as expected. It wasn’t a high-paying or glamorous gig, but I learned so much about how groups can work together to influence those who have the power to make change. I learned about how little things influence big decisions, and I learned how our Nature Coast community unites behind a cause. Art is Valuable in Communication A mural was commissioned by the Foundation, created by Kelly Quinn, Art Director and Muralist with Canvas of the Wild at 35 NE 5th Street in Crystal River, that features species native to the local ecosystem, including Florida black bears, roseate spoonbills and, of course, manatees. Image courtesy of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. Another reason I believe the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation has made such progress is its recognition of the value of art in communication. A mural campaign has been initiated, with two of those connecting murals in our local communities: Crystal River and Brooksville. “The murals help to connect us with the Corridor,” explains Mallory Lykes-Dimmitt, the Foundation’s CEO. The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation mural in Brooksville was dedicated in 2023. Image by Diane Bedard. 2021 Brings The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act Several years later, after decades of work from conservationists, scientists, politicians, and many others, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act was signed into law following unanimous bipartisan support by the Florida legislature on June 29, 2021. This act provided funding for the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, which held its first summit in September of 2022. Representatives from several land trusts, conservation organizations, the Florida Department of Transportation, legislators, scientists, ranchers, and data scientists gathered to chart a path forward. One of the things that I have really admired about the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation is its attitude that everyone, including businesses, governments, scientists, developers, ranchers and farmers, and community groups want to be part of the solution. This has encouraged large-scale solutions with buy-ins from diverse groups, making a stronger conservation movement. By Working Together, We Can Find Solutions I was invited to the first Florida Wildlife Corridor Summit in Orlando in 2022. At this inaugural event, I rubbed elbows with a diverse group of nature lovers committed to working together to manage Florida’s massive development activity to preserve contiguous green space for our State’s diverse flora and fauna – and humans - to not only survive but thrive. Diverse groups were represented at the first Florida Wildlife Corridor Summit in 2022. Image by Diane Bedard. Multi-generational ranchers, subdivision designers and developers, cinematographers, and artists joined land trust and nature preserve managers, conservationists, biologists, map makers, State legislators, and me. What did we all have in common? A desire to preserve a contiguous tract of 18 million acres of Florida land to provide a safe corridor for our keystone species, like panthers and black bears, and for our lesser known, but just as valuable species like the Florida leafwing butterfly to thrive. It is this organization’s attitude that everyone wants to help that I believe has made them so successful. At times, they seemed to be stepping on other conservation organizations in Florida, but this was not their goal. As of 2019, there were 25 active conservation land trusts, local and regional, in the State of Florida. Each is doing a valuable service by protecting their local lands from development. Still, there is a lot of human development between the conserved lands, which is where wildlife often dies while attempting to move from one protected area to another. https://youtu.be/Ji4O4whuwpY Over time, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation worked hard to become a unifying organization, championing each land trust’s success vocally, and giving Florida’s conservation movement a place to show what we can do to the whole world! According to the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, we are a little over halfway there. About the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation partners with organizations and individuals nearly as diverse as the wildlife it aims to protect. By cultivating awareness and action through film, photography, painting, drawing, mapping, storytelling, and expeditions the Florida Corridor Wildlife Foundation works to attain its mission of permanently connecting, protecting, and restoring the 18 million acres that make up this magical and mystical path through Florida. Our State’s long-term economic prosperity and quality of life depend on a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. Using a science-based approach, on-the-ground knowledge of the Corridor, and the support of thousands of followers throughout the state and nation, this organization works to identify and elevate the most pressing threats and opportunities facing the Corridor. I strongly encourage you to get involved. To learn more, visit floridawildlifecorridor.org or follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram. Read the full article

[fishergod19-blog]

The Bulls are runnin in Y’town! Capt Zack Lewis putting clients on the big boys. Check out Reputation Charters to get out on the big pond and feel one of these beats tuggin your line! . . . @capt_zack_lewis_ #hooknup_fishing #picoftheday📷 #photooftheday #fishing #gulfofmexico #naturecoast #redfish #snook #bull #bullred #charterfishing (at Yankeetown, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGffvKhsorZ/?igshid=18my6pwr22i7f

[susanelizabethjonesart]

My heart just skipped a beat. LOVE my new stickers from @everymilesamemory and @thirst_emporium. The sticker @sonjalyndicksonrine brought me from Cedar Key has become a bit beat up, so I purchased a new one on my last trip. And I’m sure it’s around here somewhere. I’ve only been back a month, but I haven’t quite located it yet. Then these arrived in the mail and they are Perfect!! thank you Pat and Cindy!! #oldflorida #cedarkey #bonishstudio #naturecoast #coastalgrandmotheraesthetic #vintagestyle #vintagesoul #weareallartists #gulfcoast #fishingvillage #gators (at Carriage House Studio of Windy Acre Cottage) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf9QsAHOIc-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[billabong47]

Looking good Florida! . . . . . . #florida #naturecoast #threesisters #manatee #landscapephotography #landscape #photography #fotografia #beautifuldestinations #thebestdestinations #awesome_earthpix #discoverearth #discover #awesome #travelgram #instatravel #wanderlust #water #naturephotography #nature #natureza @cityofcrystalriver (at Three Sisters Wildlife Refuge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeB0k0AuyYp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[patrickmhiggins]

Margins. @patrickmhiggins. #coastwalk #naturephotography #landscapephotography #sea #photosofbritain #beautifulview #beautifulnature #pembslife #naturecoast #photosofwales #naturearoundus #naturelovers #freshwaterwest #coastalpath #coast #photographylovers #beachcombers #westwales #welshbeaches #promenade #nature #pembrokeshire #captures #hiking #explore #outdoors #beach #footfall #bnwphotography #bnw (at West Wales) https://www.instagram.com/patrickmhiggins/p/CYBdFUAKcrN/?utm_medium=tumblr

[carrieannsalvi]

Parsley #Hemp Rosemary & Thyme #herbgarden #growingfood #growing #herbs #florida #naturecoast #health #naturally #naturalhealth https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtfpiFJg9F/?igshid=9wf2q5sya8mh

[livefreeshredhard]

In order to swim with the manatees you must act like one. #florida #naturecoast #snorkeling #manatee #seacows (at Hunter Springs)

[nickaiphoto]

"The trouble is not really in being alone, it's in being lonely. One can be lonely in the midst of a crowd." ~Christine Freehan #bw #palms #psalms #islandlife #naturecoast #monochrome #tropicalflorida (at Gulf of Mexico)

[skitzanda]

“There's a line where the sky meets the sea and it calls me But no one knows, how far it goes
All the time wondering where I need to be is behind me
I'm on my own, to worlds unknown Every turn I take, every trail I track
Is a choice I make, now I can't turn back
From the great unknown where I go alone
Where I long to be See her light up the night in the sea, she calls me And yes I know that I can go There's a moon in the sky and the wind is behind me Soon I'll know how far I'll go” Tail: @finfolkproductions Mermaid: @skitzanda #Moana #HowFarIllGo #MermaidsAreReal #Disney #Mermaid #FinfolksProductions #Siren #BoPo #Ocean #LiveAdventure #MermaidVibes #Sunset #ChasingTheLight #NatureCoast #SaveTheMermaids #MoodyGrams #Mermaid #PortraitKillers #TheLittleMermaid (at Yankeetown Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/B69Q0FIAjSZ/?igshid=1mcwf35jacyj

[thebigashow]

SPRING HILL AREA & MIDWEST FLORIDA SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23 All in Spring Hill Florida & Area come out and fellowship 11/23/19 930AM #FELLOWSHIP #FELLOWSHIPINTHEPARK #newlifechristianchurchspringhill #springhill #Tampa #brooksvillefl #florida #women #naturecoast #naturecoastbotanicalgardens #garden #floridawomenentrepreneurs #hudsonfl #hudsonflorida #hernando #hernandocounty #hernandobeach #weekiwachee #hillndalefarm #botanicalgardens #timberpinesfl #heritagepines #Leisurehills #trinity #VillageofAvalon #forestoaks #Marinercommons #PASCO #pascocounty #pascofl (at Nature Coast Botanical Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4dBJb7hDu5/?igshid=1cuh1fgrjogrh

[naturecoaster]

NatureCoaster.com celebrated ten years of publishing with a party, weathered three hurricanes, reached its highest viewership, and sent its fearless leader on a transatlantic cruise in 2024. The Aerosmith song, “Livin’ on the Edge” plays in my head while I write this "farewell to 2024" message. While many in our readership area have lost everything and are rebuilding from the ground up, we continue to do what we do best – connect Florida’s Nature Coast through a consistent voice of "we are stronger together, let's get involved, let's get out, and let's help protect our nature from loss of habitat." While I am the only full-time member of the NatureCoaster team, we are blessed with some wonderful contributors, including Pat Manfredo who donates our Photo of the Day every day, Sally White, author and photographer, Captain William Toney, 5th generation Homosassa fishing guide, and Debbie Selsavage, dementia expert and trainer. Recently we have begun carrying stories from Toby Benoit, area historian and outdoorsman. NatureCoaster Partners, Supporters and Advertisers We have some amazing partners. The tourism development agencies for Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties trust NatureCoaster to bring their messages to our hundreds of thousands of readers – especially you. So does the Tampa Bay History Center, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. Our local business partners are just as important, and I hope you are familiar with them and take time to support their shops, attractions, activities, and restaurants. We have local partners like Bomhoff Law, Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters, Chop Block Grill, Heartwood Preserve, The Red Brick Place, and The White Heron Tea & Gifts who have advertised with us for over five years. Each of these businesses went through COVID, hurricanes, and the cleanup, innumerable economic challenges, and more with us; together we continue to get stronger. These are businesses we trust. You can too. We welcomed several new partners in 2024, including Traveling Art Parties, Angelo's Pizzeria & Ristorante, and Masaryk Winery/Upicktopia. We welcomed new partners: Angelos Pizzeria & Ristorante, Traveling Art Parties, and Masaryk Winery/Upicktopia which just makes us happy all over! Also, a new service in Citrus County: Taste and Tales Food Tours. We loved their Inverness tour and will be checking out the Crystal River one shortly. I remember asking one of our partners for a letter of recommendation, to which he replied, “I renew my ad with you every year. What more is there to say?” Our directory of Local Businesses and Organizations has some folks I just have to thank: Coping with Dementia, Main Street Eatery, Oysters Restaurant, Stay and Play Pet Getaway, Sunset Landing Marina, JG Ranch, Brijbag Law, Campbell & Company, and Kelp Creative Agency who have all kept their Featured Directory Listing for many years. Each year we promote u-pick farms and several continue to advertise with us, including Bette's Blues, JG Ranch (also has beef shares), and Upicktopia (also has an onsite winery and restaurant). Kelp manages our website and we would never have grown to where we are without them. If you need a reliable partner for your online presence, we recommend Kelp. NatureCoaster Gives Back to Our Communities through Sponsorships We are strong supporters of Brooksville Main Street, the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, the Hernando County Arts Council, and the Twistid Arts Initiative, helping to sponsor their festivals and events as part of our vision of supporting the communities we serve. Our Tenth Anniversary Celebration to benefit the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation in April was well-attended. We enjoyed a full day of activities at the Masaryk Winery and Upicktopia with a custom paint party by Traveling Art Parties, live blues music by the Sarasota Slim Band, BBQ box dinners by Suzy’s Kitchen, a viewing of the O2O: Path to Connection film and a Panel discussion by the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation with a silent auction to benefit the Foundation. We raised thousands for the Corridor and had a great time! Would you Participate in NatureCoaster Get-Togethers? Would you join a group of NatureCoasters on an adventure in 2025? We are considering having some casual get-togethers in 2025. If you are interested in getting together with some fellow NatureCoasters to meet some new friends and check out some new places, click here to leave your contact info and what type of events you are interested in: food & drink or outdoor adventures. Feel free to leave any suggestions for places or activities in the story comments. NatureCoaster Merch is Available at Area Festivals Festival season is upon us. NatureCoaster takes to the streets and participates in several events throughout the area. Please visit us at any of the festivals and get your NatureCoaster merch. We have hats, stickers, area maps, and magnets. Hats are Adams caps with a leather band and are embroidered with the NatureCoaster logo for $25. We have a variety of colors from hot pink and seafoam to forest green. Get your NatureCoaster.com merch at any of the Festivals we attend. NatureCoaster.com 2025 Festival Schedule - Manatee Festival – January 18-19 – Crystal River - Kumquat Festival – January 25 – Dade City - Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues – Feb. 8 – Zephyrhills - Walk of Arts Festival – Feb. 22 – Inverness *Painting mini canvases with Traveling Art Parties - Floral City Strawberry Festival – March 1-2 – Floral City - Monarch Butterfly Festival – April 5 – Dade City *Painting mini canvases with Traveling Art Parties** The schedule is accurate as of publishing but is subject to change. Events are an Important Piece of NatureCoaster.com Events are an important part of the NatureCoaster.com e-magazine. Our calendar is free for any organization to list an event, and we feature many of the Nature Coast area’s best and newest festivals and events, even when we cannot display at all of them. With all the event platforms available, NatureCoaster provides an easy way to see what is happening in our area without overwhelming you. We have worked with Camping with the Blues, Blues Bash at the Ranch, and Rock & Roll Revival for many years, not to mention Chasco Fiesta, Inverness Festival of the Arts, Festival of Lights in the wildlife park, Art in the Park and many, many more. NatureCoaster wants to help your event connect with our readers. We publish events for many clubs in our region, including gardening, genealogy, and the Sierra Club. In our editorial section, we carry the IFAS classes and library information as we receive it. We do all this to help connect the best of our area. Florida’s Nature Coast is a very special place and we are glad to provide information that can help you get involved. Hugging an old-growth cypress tree in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management area. This tree is left over from the 1900s logging company in Centralia. Happy New Year for 2025! As Publisher of NatureCoaster.com, I look forward to the joy that 2025 is sure to bring us. We have room for a few more advertising partners, so if you have a local business that is looking to grow, please reach out. To each and every one of you: readers, writers, advertisers, and logistical wizards, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being an important part of creating our dream. Read the full article

[beaumondeboutique-blog]

Just confirmed helicopter ride over Tampa on the 17th to give my followers and buyers an aerial view of the area. Gonna post video! :) Stay tuned! And now waiting to hear back from selling agent about a showing today...#tampahomes #floridalife #realtorlife #naturecoast #JoshHanoudTeam #CassandraEckert #BossBabe #JHTrocks Cassandra Eckert REALTOR / USN Veteran Cell 352.232.9107 Website: https://cassandra.tampahousehunt.com Mobile App: https://cassandra.tampahousehunt.com/app.php Josh Hanoud Team - Tropic Shores Realty 8046 Old County Rd 54 New Port Richey, Florida 34652 (at Josh Hanoud Team Real Estate - Tropic Shores Realty) https://www.instagram.com/p/B19GzRSga3r/?igshid=16yamv6ajgjmo

[susanelizabethjonesart]

#quoteoftheday #henryjames #words #florida #theotherfloridakeys #gulf #naturecoast (at Carriage House Studio of Windy Acre Cottage) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf9QC4vOAqz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[agumbylife]

"Summer afternoon — summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." –Henry James Out and about along the #Naturecoast on a sunny Saturday afternoon. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0uCddLFKcM/?igshid=ot7bl8qgy29e

[frankelystruth]

Going out in the morning to pick up litter with my two boys (4&9) Went out a few weeks ago and wasn't happy with what I saw. So it's time to step up and do something about it. Going to walk and pick up for a couple of hours. Hoping to see some wildlife also. Wish us luck. . . . posted on Instagram - https://ift.tt/2UGYhRs