Photo Source: Mark Baker

BURN BABY, BURN!
No disco inferno here; it’s all about wild fires! Before extensive land fragmentation, Florida’s wild fires were free to burn across the state. Today, this intense phenomenon poses a high risk for human life and property. As a result, burns are now organized and controlled by various land managers. Fires are an important part of Florida’s natural heritage. They clear organic canopy and expose low growing plants to much needed sunlight. Fires also promote plant re-growth by eliminating diseased species and stimulating seed dispersal in certain varieties. Controlled and authorized fires are known as prescribed burns

Photo Source: Alexa Elliot

TAKE IT EASY
Conservation easements are a way of protecting Florida’s wildlife and the places they call home. Landowners may sell or donate a portion of their rights to public or private organizations. Hence, a person may “ease” a right to another entity, such as The Nature Conservancy. In turn, this group ensures the protection and longevity of important species and natural resources found on site. Each conservation easement is tailored to meet environmental goals as well as the needs of the landowner. Significant tax benefits are incentives for landowners suffering from financial stress. However, conservation easements also provide piece of mind by preserving the land and way of life well beyond the landowner’s lifetime.

Resources for this article have been provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection , the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Park Service, and the Archbold Biological Station.