Photo Source: Wikipedia

ON THE RIDGE
Shaped by the changing sea and maintained by fire, the Lake Wales Ridge is a unique and ancient ecosystem located in central Florida. Stretching north and south for approximately 150 miles, the ‘Ridge’ as it is known by locals, is a desert-like habitat sprinkled with sandhill forests and seasonal ponds. However, look closely because appearances can be deceiving. Thousands of years ago, the ridge was actually a series of small barrier islands, sprinkled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Over the years, plants and animals evolved to survive this harsh environment, creating rare species found no where else on the planet.

Photo Source: Alexa Elliot

My What?
Nine miles east of Sarasota, the Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s largest and oldest state parks. Its 37,000 acres of dry prairie, rich marshland, and shady oak forests are ideal for wildlife viewing. Get up close to alligators and other aquatic species in two of the world’s largest airboats, the “Gator Gal” and the “Myakka Maiden.” In 1985, the State Legislature declared the Myakka an official Florida Wild and Scenic River. Its 14 miles of slow moving water are a welcomed change of pace for many of its visitors. Spanish moss line scenic nature trails, but the real action takes place 35 feet up. The park’s manmade suspension bridge gives visitors a unique tree-top walking experience. Those brave enough to scale a 74-foot observation tower, located at the bridge’s end, are rewarded with an awe-inspiring view of the sprawling wild land below.

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.