The Tampa Theatre is hosting a free screening of a documentary that highlights the importance of Florida’s public preserves and private working lands. The documentary is called Saving the Florida Wildlife Corridor. It highlights the importance of these lands and how public institutions and private land owners work together to keep wild Florida connected. The free screening at the Tampa Theatre will take place on Wednesday, February 23.
What is Florida’s Wildlife Corridor?
Florida’s Wildlife Corridor is 17.7 million acres of undeveloped, natural land. State parks, state forests, private ranch lands and timberlands, streams and rivers all make up the corridor. Florida made conservation history in June 2021 when the Florida government enacted the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act. This bill secured $400 million in funding to protect this land. These loosely connected web of green spaces allow Florida’s wildlife to roam free. The protection of this land means the protection of Florida’s resources from pollution and overuse.
A large threat to the biodiversity in Florida habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation happens when the roads and buildings that connect large cities. For example, the highways that connect Tampa, Miami, and Orlando encroach on natural habitats. The act prevents developers from using the corridor land for more housing and buildings. This is a problem that continues to grow in Florida’s red-hot real estate market.
Film highlights Florida’s natural beauty
Saving the Florida Wildlife Corridor is a 30-minute documentary. It lets viewers experience the beauty of the corridor with video that includes things like Florida’s vast cattle land, mesmerizing waterways, and even the elusive Florida Panther. There are also interviews with the people who make the corridor possible. The cattle ranchers, fishers, conservationists, and farmers who work together to create a connected landscape for wild Florida.
Finally, after the screening, there will be a panel discussion about the further efforts to expand the corridor. The panel will include the film director Danny Schmidt, National Geographic explorer Carlton Ward Jr., executive producer Vanessa Serrano, and producer and panel moderator Tori Linder.
Admission to the screening is free, however, attendees must reserve their seat. Click here to reserve your tickets.