Longleaf to Lighthouse

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation is responsible for some of our state’s most vital conservation work. The Corridor itself is a 10 million acre system of preserved lands––growing toward an 18 million acre goal––where native wildlife can thrive undisturbed. Each year, the foundation hosts an Expedition where changemakers see the importance of this work firsthand.

The 2026 Expedition––Longleaf to Lighthouse––is a week-long journey through the critical conservation area between Thomasville and St. Marks Lighthouse. Four elected officials have committed to hiking, biking, camping, and boating their way down the route: City Commissioner Jack Porter, Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, Polk County Commissioner Becky Troutman, and Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks.

In the kick-off event on Monday, April 20, hosted at the gorgeous Tall Timbers research station, each official spoke to the importance of leaving something beautiful for future generations, immersing themselves in unspoiled land, and the opportunity to have conversations that will help them become better environmental advocates. Each official was presented with a symbolic paddle––made of reclaimed wood––to officially welcome them to the expedition.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

Mallory Demmitt, chief executive officer of the foundation, made opening and closing remarks. The Deputy General Counsel and Embassy Director for the Miccosukee Tribe, Edward Ornstein, also spoke at the event, discussing the history of Florida’s settlement, including Native American and colonial history, real estate prospectors, and the Indian Removal Act.

As Florida expands––with up to 1000 people moving to our state every day––time is of the essence to protect wild lands. Follow along with the Expedition (which will run through the weekend of Saturday, April 25) and the public-facing events along the way on Instagram at @floridawildlifecorridor.

The full press release is available below.

Longleaf to Lighthouse Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition

On April 21st, 2026, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation will kick off the Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition, a week-long journey tracing the critical Corridor connection between the Red Hills of southern Georgia to the Gulf at St. Marks Lighthouse. Taking place just outside Tallahassee, the heart of Florida’s conservation decision-making, this expedition offers a rare opportunity to connect the people shaping the state’s future directly with the lands they are entrusted to protect.

The Expedition follows a connected journey from the upland Red Hills of southern Georgia through a mosaic of longleaf pine forests, quail country, hardwood hammocks, and floodplain swamps before continuing along the St. Marks River to the coastal marshes of Apalachee Bay. This route highlights one of the Southeast’s most important ecological linkages, a landscape that serves as both a wildlife and water bridge between states. Together, these working lands, public forests, and protected waters show how stewardship across an entire watershed sustains the region’s wildlife, water, and cultural heritage.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

The Longleaf to Lighthouse expedition is being filmed and photographed to document and create a short film about the experience led by Cole Heilborn from Port Side Productions. Our Expeditions result in award-winning films that amplify our critical mission to Floridians and audiences worldwide. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook @floridawildlifecorridor with #longleaftolighthouse

Why is the expedition starting in Georgia? Our Chief Conservation Officer Jason Lauritsen said it best “Since wildlife, natural habitat and waterways do not adhere to political boundaries, it’s important that decision-making that impacts the Florida Wildlife Corridor is not artificially constrained by state lines. Scientists looking at wildlife and natural systems in the Southeast US are not bound by state lines in research. Conservation efforts must also extend beyond state lines when planning steps to ensure the health, resilience and diversity of our wildlife and wild places. To this end, several individuals and groups have been working to improve coordination and collaboration to ensure that the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the corridors within Georgia and Alabama are aligned to maximize regional benefits. The Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition presents an opportunity for those engaged in these cross-state corridor conversations to meet and advance this ongoing effort.”

Meet The Trekkers:

Our Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition brings together four local elected officials selected for their connection to wild Florida and their interest in learning more about the Corridor. Polk County Commissioner Becky Troutman, Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter, Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, and Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks will venture out of their meeting rooms and into the Corridor itself, experiencing firsthand the lands and waters they help shape through policy. Along the journey, they’ll be joined by landowners, scientists, and storytellers who will help deepen their understanding of the land and the decisions that guide its future.