Latest news with #LisaShipley
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Live Wildly and Florida Wing Factory Bring the Heat for Conservation with New ‘Mild to Wild' Hot Sauces
The Live Wildly Foundation and Florida Wing Factory are turning up the heat to protect wild Florida with a sizzling new collaboration of custom hot sauces that blend bold flavor with a powerful purpose. TAMPA, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / May 13, 2025 / Launching May 17, the new sauces - 'Bearly Burnin' (mild) and 'CATchin' Fire' (wild) - carry a simple message: From mild to wild, Florida's wild places are worth protecting. Each bottle of sauce features the Live Wildly Pledge to protect wild Florida along with a QR code that links customers to the Live Wildly website where they can learn more about conservation efforts across the state and sign the pledge themselves. The Pledge reads: "We are wild flowing rivers and springs, vibrant swamps, soaring forests, and pristine coastlines connect us all. I pledge to honor and protect this home we share. With gratitude, I vow to safeguard what sustains us, nurture what nurtures us, and cherish our wild places for myself and generations to come. I am a guardian of Florida's wild soul." To celebrate the launch of the mild to wild sauces, Florida Wing Factory in Tallahassee will host an in-store promotion from May 17-31. Guests who visit and sign the Live Wildly pledge in person will receive a free bottle of hot sauce - either Bearly Burnin' or CATchin' Fire - and be entered to win a $100 Florida Wing Factory gift card. Even better, for every pledge signed, the Live Wildly Foundation will donate $1 to conservation efforts in Florida on behalf of the individual signer. "This partnership is all about flavor with purpose," said Lisa Shipley, Live Wildly CEO. "Whether you go mild or wild, you're helping protect Florida's incredible natural heritage. It's a simple action that makes a lasting impact." "We're proud to team up with Live Wildly to bring attention to Florida's wild spaces through something our customers love - great hot sauce," said Chris Lee, CEO and Co-Founder at Florida Wing Factory. "It's a win for flavor and a win for Florida." Both sauces will be available while supplies last exclusively at Florida Wing Factory and at events sponsored by Live Wildly, including the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament in Destin, FL, May 16-18th. Don't miss your chance to taste the heat and help protect what makes Florida wild. About Live Wildly Foundation:Live Wildly is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising public awareness for the importance of wildlife corridor conservation. Through collaboration with partner organizations, Live Wildly is helping improve economies, ecology and livelihoods. Learn more at About Florida Wing Factory:Florida Wing Factory is a locally owned and operated restaurant in Tallahassee known for bold flavors, creative wing sauces, and its deep ties to the community.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Live Wildly Joins Campaign to Turn Invasive Lionfish from Malicious to Delicious
Press Releases Live Wildly Joins Campaign to Turn Invasive Lionfish from Malicious to Delicious Emerald Coast Open - the largest lionfish tournament in the world - encourages restaurants and their customers to discover the joy of eating lionfish Live Wildly has joined the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament as a sponsor to help stop dangerous invasive lionfish from destroying Florida's native marine life and habitat. The tournament takes place in Destin, FL, May 16-17. "Florida's unique marine areas are not just beautiful, they also are the backbone of our tourism, commercial fishing, and outdoor recreation economies," said Lisa Shipley, CEO of Live Wildly. "Lionfish are an invasive species that pose a real threat to Florida's natural systems, native wildlife, and nature-based economy." The Emerald Coast Open brings together teams of fishers who compete to catch the most lionfish. Live Wildly is sponsoring a team organized by Ocean Strike Team , a group that supports ocean conservation, citizen science, and research through ecotourism experiences and actions. Winners of the tournament receive cash prizes for the most, the biggest, and the smallest lionfish caught. Live Wildly is also sponsoring AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar which is participating in the Emerald Coast Open's Restaurant Week which runs May 9-17. Live Wildly is proud to be the first-ever sponsor of Restaurant Week, during which local eateries feature lionfish dishes on their menus, educating customers about the invasive species and encouraging other restaurants to serve lionfish year-round. Lionfish - which can be fried, baked, broiled, steamed, poached, or even eaten raw in sushi - are firm, tender, and flakey with a mild taste similar to snapper, black sea bass, and hogfish. But while lionfish may be delicious to eat, they are malicious when it comes to the threats they pose to Florida's marine systems and native fish populations. Originally from the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, lionfish were first spotted in Florida's waters in the 1980s, believed to have been released by home aquarium owners who originally kept them as pets. Because lionfish have no natural predators in Atlantic waters, and because a single lionfish can produce up to 2 million eggs a year, lionfish have quickly spread from Florida's coasts all the way up to New York posing severe environmental threats up and down the East Coast. Lionfish can grow to more than 18 inches long and have long venomous spines. They are voracious hunters, eating nearly any living creature that can fit into their mouths, including juveniles of many commercially important fish such as grouper, seabass, and snapper. Lionfish also threaten Florida's extensive reef habitats by preying on algae-eating species that help keep corals clean and healthy. And lionfish compete for food with native fish species, further harming their populations. Commercial and recreational harvesting of lionfish are some of the most effective ways of controlling its spread and environmental damage. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hosts seminars and workshops throughout the year to train people how to catch lionfish and to educate the public about the dangers of invasive species. "Getting outdoors to catch lionfish is a great way to enjoy wild Florida while also keeping it healthy," Shipley said. "Restaurants that serve lionfish are not just providing great food to their customers, they're also helping keep Florida's marine systems strong and productive for residents, tourists, and local economies." This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM.
Associated Press
16-04-2025
- Associated Press
Live Wildly Applauds Florida's Continued Commitment to the Wildlife Corridor and the Economic Benefits It Brings
Conserving healthy lands and waters within the Wildlife Corridor has potential to bring a 6-to-1 return on investment TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2025 / The amount of land conserved in and around the Wildlife Corridor with state funding has steadily grown each year since lawmakers established the Corridor in 2021 - and 2025 is poised to be yet another record-breaking year for Corridor Island Trail - Credit Sara Sheehy Fort Island Trail - Credit Sara Sheehy More than 133,000 acres of Corridor lands were conserved last year under Florida's two largest conservation programs, Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). That acreage beat the amount of Corridor land conserved with state funding in 2023 (110,465 acres) which, in turn, was nearly three times the amount conserved in 2022 (36,602). 'Investing in nature is investing in the economy of Florida,' said Lisa Shipley, CEO of Live Wildly. 'Florida has become a national example of how conserving natural lands and waters can lead to healthier communities and provide for a robust future.' A 2021 study found that the Corridor supports at least 114,000 jobs and provides at least $30 billion in annual value from tourism, agriculture, forestry, and other industries. That same study found that conserving Corridor lands most at risk of destruction from development could bring Florida a 6-to-1 return on investment from increased tourism revenue and the sale of carbon credits. Other studies have shown that protecting the Wildlife Corridor can shield communities from devastating floods and heat waves. The Corridor is home to about two-thirds of Florida's floodplains which absorb water and act as natural buffers against flooding. The Corridor's healthy forests keep temperatures cooler than in surrounding urban areas, offering tourists and Floridians a refuge from soaring heat and the health risk it brings. 'The name 'Wildlife Corridor' may lead some to think it's focused solely on helping Florida's iconic animal species,' said Shipley. 'But the Corridor's green infrastructure also serves as the foundation of Florida's economy and quality of life.' This year, the state is once again on track to conserve more lands and waters within and around the Wildlife Corridor than in previous years. In March, state policy leaders approved a ground-breaking $84.5 million for the permanent conservation of 19,486 acres across 7 properties within the Corridor. The funding, which comes from Florida Forever and the RFLPP, will connect fragmented natural areas across the Corridor while supporting agricultural production as well as habitat for gopher tortoise, sandhill crane, the Florida panther, and other species. Also in March, Florida opened its first new state park in seven years. The Upper Shoal River Park was established on 2,500 acres of land adjacent to the Corridor, purchased with funding from Florida Forever. It will protect habitat for numerous wildlife species while offering Florida residents and tourists new hiking, fishing, and paddling opportunities. 'We applaud the state's commitment to keeping the Wildlife Corridor healthy and productive,' said Shipley. 'The future of Florida's communities and economies depend on it.' Created with unanimous approval of the state legislature in 2021, the Florida Wildlife Corridor is the nation's largest state-wide conservation effort of its kind spanning 18-million-acres from the Florida Panhandle to the Everglades. Contact Information Meredith Budd Deputy Director [email protected] Michelle Yepez Brand Campaign & Events Advisor [email protected] SOURCE: Live Wildly Foundation Related Images press release
Miami Herald
16-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Live Wildly Applauds Florida's Continued Commitment to the Wildlife Corridor and the Economic Benefits It Brings
Conserving healthy lands and waters within the Wildlife Corridor has potential to bring a 6-to-1 return on investment TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2025 / The amount of land conserved in and around the Wildlife Corridor with state funding has steadily grown each year since lawmakers established the Corridor in 2021 - and 2025 is poised to be yet another record-breaking year for Corridor conservation. More than 133,000 acres of Corridor lands were conserved last year under Florida's two largest conservation programs, Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). That acreage beat the amount of Corridor land conserved with state funding in 2023 (110,465 acres) which, in turn, was nearly three times the amount conserved in 2022 (36,602). "Investing in nature is investing in the economy of Florida," said Lisa Shipley, CEO of Live Wildly. "Florida has become a national example of how conserving natural lands and waters can lead to healthier communities and provide for a robust future." A 2021 study found that the Corridor supports at least 114,000 jobs and provides at least $30 billion in annual value from tourism, agriculture, forestry, and other industries. That same study found that conserving Corridor lands most at risk of destruction from development could bring Florida a 6-to-1 return on investment from increased tourism revenue and the sale of carbon credits. Other studies have shown that protecting the Wildlife Corridor can shield communities from devastating floods and heat waves. The Corridor is home to about two-thirds of Florida's floodplains which absorb water and act as natural buffers against flooding. The Corridor's healthy forests keep temperatures cooler than in surrounding urban areas, offering tourists and Floridians a refuge from soaring heat and the health risk it brings. "The name 'Wildlife Corridor' may lead some to think it's focused solely on helping Florida's iconic animal species," said Shipley. "But the Corridor's green infrastructure also serves as the foundation of Florida's economy and quality of life." This year, the state is once again on track to conserve more lands and waters within and around the Wildlife Corridor than in previous years. In March, state policy leaders approved a ground-breaking $84.5 million for the permanent conservation of 19,486 acres across 7 properties within the Corridor. The funding, which comes from Florida Forever and the RFLPP, will connect fragmented natural areas across the Corridor while supporting agricultural production as well as habitat for gopher tortoise, sandhill crane, the Florida panther, and other species. Also in March, Florida opened its first new state park in seven years. The Upper Shoal River Park was established on 2,500 acres of land adjacent to the Corridor, purchased with funding from Florida Forever. It will protect habitat for numerous wildlife species while offering Florida residents and tourists new hiking, fishing, and paddling opportunities. "We applaud the state's commitment to keeping the Wildlife Corridor healthy and productive," said Shipley. "The future of Florida's communities and economies depend on it." Created with unanimous approval of the state legislature in 2021, the Florida Wildlife Corridor is the nation's largest state-wide conservation effort of its kind spanning 18-million-acres from the Florida Panhandle to the Everglades. Contact Information Meredith Budd Deputy Directormeredith@ Michelle Yepez Brand Campaign & Events Advisormichelle@
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Associated Press
Florida State Parks Foundation and Live Wildly to host second ‘Explore the Corridor Week' in April
Week-long event series gives nature-lovers the opportunity to 'get outside and give back' in wild Florida. TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 13, 2025 / The Florida State Parks Foundation and Live Wildly today announced that the second Explore the Corridor Week, a statewide drive to encourage exploration and stewardship of Florida's natural spaces, is set for April 26 - May 3, 2025. Each of the 19 participating state parks falls within or adjacent to the footprint of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre network of public and private lands stretching from the Florida Panhandle to the Everglades. Created in 2021, the Florida Wildlife Corridor is the largest state-wide conservation effort of its kind, home to almost 2,000 different species including the Florida panther, manatees, and the Gopher tortoise. 'Florida's state parks provide the best and easiest way to experience the Florida Wildlife Corridor,' said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation. 'Explore the Corridor Week is a unique opportunity to create connections to wild Florida while also making a positive impact in our award-winning state parks.' The parks included in Explore the Corridor Week span from the Florida Panhandle to the Florida Keys, and each park will host events designed to connect people to wild Florida. Example events include a river cleanup at Blackwater River State Park (bring your own boat!), a safari tram tour at Silver Springs State Park, and cleanups and invasive plant removals at multiple parks. Individuals, families, students, companies and community groups are all invited to participate. Space at each event is limited. Visit the official Explore the Corridor Week website for a full list of opportunities. For those who do not wish or are unable to attend an in-person event but would still like to support Explore the Corridor Week, each park that is hosting a volunteer opportunity has an Amazon wishlist with needed supplies available for donation. Click here to learn more. 'We believe that participating in Explore the Corridor Week will foster a love and respect for wild Florida that will last for years,' Live Wildly CEO Lisa Shipley said. 'No matter where you live or how you like to explore the outdoors, there is an event nearby that will create lasting impacts and memories.' More than 300 volunteers contributed over 1,200 hours of service at the first Explore the Corridor Week in January 2024. Florida's system of 175 state parks, trails and historic sites are supported by more than 10,000 volunteers who contribute over 1 million hours of service each year.
