Friends of Paynes Prairie

09/05/2026

Come join us for some dulcimer music tomorrow at the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park visitor's center...

08/31/2026

Friends...this is what longleaf pine restoration and prescribed fire looks like at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. This lone pine lilly popped up this week where last year there had been 12-15 flowers. Late August is their time to shine. Could be that the extended drought has kept their already rare numbers down.

Also known as tiger lilies or Catesby's lily, after colonial naturalist and artist, Mark Catesby (1683-1749), these 2-3ft tall beauties are endemic to the historic longleaf flatwoods of North Central Florida and the lower coastal plains.

Catesby’s lily (Lilium catesbaei) occurs in mesic to wet flatwoods, wet prairies and savannas. It is very sensitive to growing conditions, and thrives in conditions generally inhospitable to other lilies. It responds well to fire. Catesby’s lily typically blooms summer to late fall, attracting a variety of pollinators, but primarily pollinated by swallowtail butterflies.

Catesby’s lily bears the largest flower of any North American lily. In Florida, it is a state-listed threatened species.

08/28/2026

📸 DON’T MISS YOUR SHOT! 🌿

Have a favorite photo from Paynes Prairie? Now’s your chance to share it—and maybe see it featured in the Park! The 2026 Friends of Paynes Prairie Photo Contest is open, and we want to see the Prairie through your lens. From sweeping landscapes and curious creatures to those quiet, magical moments in nature, your photo could be a winner 🦬🌾🦅

📅 ENTER BY SEPTEMBER 30 AT 11:59 PM ET

Who can enter? Anyone who has visited Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, except professional photographers.

Youth (17 & under) & Adult (18+) categories:
🌅 Landscape
🦌 Mammals
🦅 Birds
🌱 Plants
🐍 Reptiles & Amphibians
🕷️ Insects & Arachnids

🏆 WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS?
Each category winner will receive a Paynes Prairie gift shop item, and every winner will receive a beautiful custom glass print of their photo, courtesy of our sponsor, Fracture. Plus, one overall winner will be recognized at our 2026 Annual Meeting! ✨ Even better: winning photos will be featured in a special Visitor Center display in 2027!

📩 Ready to enter? Submit your photo here: https://form.jotform.com/261165396521155

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let your best Prairie shot sit on your camera roll! 📸 Please remember to respect wildlife and maintain a safe distance when photographing.

Photo credit: Jeff Davis, Landscape Category Winner - Adult Division, 2025 Photo Contest

08/22/2026

Many thanks to Katy Dietz who told us all about the benefits of retaining and incorporating deadwood into our urban and suburban landscapes.

Her NeighborWood Watch program is definitely worth checking out. While you're there, be sure to take the survey. This helps Katy gather more data about attitudes towards deadwood retention. https://neighborwoodwatch.org/

And thanks to everyone who came to the Third Thursday Speaker's Series despite the severe weather.

08/13/2026

🌳🍄 Join us for this month's Speaker Series: NeighborWood Watch - How Dead Wood Contributes to Sustaining Life in Urban Forests.

When a tree dies, its story doesn’t end, it starts the second part of its life. As wood decays, it gives back to the environment, returning nutrients to the soil, sheltering birds, feeding countless critters, and supporting hundreds of colorful fungi.
But when we remove dead wood from our yards, we interrupt this grand cycle of life.

Katy studies plant and fungal pathogens and is a co-author of the Field Guide to Wood Decay Fungi on Florida Trees. She’ll help us take a closer look at the fascinating world of fungi and the important role dead wood plays in healthy ecosystems. From habitat snags and wildlife trees to woodpecker poles, stumps, and even sleepy piles of logs, there are many ways to incorporate dead wood into our landscapes and support life right where we live 🐦🍄🌳

Come learn how you can become part of the NeighborWood Watch!

📅 Thursday, August 20th
🕡 6:30–7:30 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
📍 Paynes Prairie Visitor Center

🔗 Register here: https://friendsofpaynesprairie.wildapricot.org/event-6799983
Limited spaces available, registration required

08/11/2026

07/29/2026

07/27/2026