The Live Wildly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing conservation across Florida, achieved numerous successes in 2024 by forging partnerships with government leaders, academic institutions, local communities, and other stakeholders according to a press release.
These milestones underscored the intersection of environmental preservation and outdoor recreation, advancing efforts to protect Florida’s natural resources while engaging the public in meaningful ways.
Key accomplishments of the year included the launch of the Florida Conservation Land Acquisitions database, an innovative online tool created in collaboration with Florida State University’s Florida Natural Areas Inventory.
This resource compiles data from government agencies and non-profits, enabling users to monitor progress in conservation initiatives, with a primary focus on the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Spanning 18 million acres of wild and working lands, this corridor is the largest statewide conservation effort of its kind in the United States. To date, 10 million acres are conserved, leaving 8 million designated “opportunity areas” still requiring protection.
“Healthy lands and waters are the backbone of Florida’s thriving communities and economies,” said Lisa Shipley, CEO of Live Wildly.
“With more than 1,200 new residents moving to Florida every day, the Wildlife Corridor demonstrates how we can balance the needs of both people and nature,” Shipley added.
In collaboration with the Florida State Parks Foundation, Live Wildly helped establish January 31 this year as “State Parks Day,” a celebration of Florida’s state parks, which attract nearly 30 million visitors annually and generate over $3 billion in economic impact.
Building on this initiative, the organizations hosted the first-ever “Explore the Corridor Week,” drawing over 300 volunteers who contributed 1,200 hours of service across 40 state parks. Their efforts included removing invasive plants, restoring hiking trails, collecting wildlife data, and cleaning up litter.
Live Wildly also partnered with the Trust for Public Land to successfully pass four ballot measures in Clay, Lake, Osceola, and Martin counties, securing nearly $350 million in funding for conservation activities such as preserving wildlife habitats, expanding outdoor recreation opportunities, and ensuring access to clean drinking water.
Other 2024 achievements included funding a scientific study led by Florida Atlantic University and the Archbold Biological Station, which demonstrated how conserving the Wildlife Corridor could shield local communities from climate change impacts.
Additionally, Live Wildly partnered with the Sing Out Loud Music Festival, raising over $160,000 for conservation efforts. Festival-goers also explored Live Wildly’s immersive showcase tent, which featured the sights and sounds of Florida’s wild lands, waters, and diverse species.
One particularly notable highlight was the dedication of the Bellini Preserve in Polk County, a 639-acre sanctuary of hardwood forests, scrublands, and freshwater marshlands within the Wildlife Corridor. Named after Live Wildly’s founder, Arnie Bellini, the preserve exemplifies the impact of public-private partnerships.
Bellini originally purchased the property in 2020 to prevent development and worked with Conservation Florida, the Department of Defense, Polk County Natural Lands, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to secure its permanent protection.
“Live Wildly believes that people will protect what they love. That’s why Live Wildly is helping people fall in love with wild Florida and inspiring them to take action to save it,” Shipley said.
The foundation’s “Join the Movement” campaign, which donates $1 to land conservation for each of its nearly 12,000 new members, further reflects its mission to connect people with the state’s natural treasures. Members also receive resources to learn about the critical role Florida’s lands and waters play in daily life.
Founded in 2022, Live Wildly applies an entrepreneurial approach to conservation, balancing smart growth with the protection of resilient landscapes.
Its first priority is the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which Shipley described as a model for “public-private partnership, citizen advocacy, and grassroots support.”
As Florida’s population continues to grow rapidly, the foundation’s efforts are a vital reminder that outdoor recreation and conservation are inextricably linked. By preserving wild spaces and enhancing access to them, Live Wildly not only safeguards Florida’s ecological legacy but also ensures that its communities can thrive through sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities.
