hadyn, Author at Wildlight

To be honest, there was nothing “small” about Run Wild 2026. While the morning brought cooler weather and damp trails, the energy was impalpable. Over 1,270 participants —our biggest turnout to date— came out to give us their best strides. And that was just the beginning of the raceday enjoyment…

Before the cannon could signal the start, we took time to bring up our race beneficiary and healthy living partners, the Wildlight YMCA. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s race raised $20,000 —our largest donation yet— that will support their after-school and summer enrichment programs. This wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our runners, our dedicated volunteers, and our incredible sponsors. It’s fun to run for the Y-M-C-A! (Did you catch yourself singing along, too?)

The race course offered runners and walkers a true VIP tour of the winding Wildlight trailways and vibrant neighborhoods. And family and friends had the chance to cheer on their favorite racers as they passed by. As racers pushed through the final miles, local favorites Paul Ivey and Michael McDaniels provided the perfect soundtrack, turning fatigue into “finish-line” drive.

Back on Tinker Street, the vibes were exhilarating. Between the classic hits from The Honey Badgers and fresh bites and brews from local food trucks, the Vendor Village was the place to be. Kids also had a dedicated area to kid-out in, complete with a face painter, balloon artist and basketball games from HoopJax. And every finisher earned a medal and those 21+ were greeted with a well deserved pour from SJ Brewing Company.

They say it takes a village, and Run Wild is proof. Our sponsors and volunteers are what help drive this event. Without them, we wouldn’t be celebrating these new PRs.

Don’t just take our word for it: check out this little recap video of the big fun that was had. And while you’re at it, see if you were caught in all the action!

And if you’re wondering, yes, we will be doing it all over again next year! See you then?

Energy and community spirit were on full display Saturday, February 28, as more than 1,200 runners hit the trails for the fourth annual Run Wild 10K, 5K and Fun Run in Wildlight. The event raised $20,000 for the YMCA at Wildlight, with proceeds supporting the YMCA’s financial assistance program, which provides after-school care and summer enrichment opportunities for local children and families.

Read more at the News Leader.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., January 7, 2026 – Community First Credit Union, one of Florida’s largest credit unions, has commenced construction on its newest freestanding branch location in Wildlight in Nassau County. Community First held a groundbreaking on Monday with Nassau County and Wildlight leaders and Auld & White Constructors has officially started construction.

Read more at Community First Credit Union.

Wildlight is known for being a “Town in Nature.” But what does that really mean? Is Wildlight truly surrounded by 1,200 acres of preserved land? Is it normal to see wildlife right in your backyard? Should you document those encounters? The short and simple answer to all of these questions is “yes.” Fortunately, Wildlight offers residents environmental sessions called “BioBlitzes” in partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). These engaging classes teach both kids and adults how to identify and survey animal, insect, and plant species throughout our community.

What is a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn about and properly document the natural environment around them. These sessions provide continuing education for anyone interested in the importance of conservation areas like those found throughout Wildlight. They also cover the measures communities take to keep residential green spaces both sustainable and beautiful—and how we can all work together to help maintain them for generations to come.

As one of Wildlight’s trusted sustainability partners, UF/IFAS facilitated the session with a short class on pollinators (supported by their extensive pollinator research), how to classify and document them using apps like iNaturalist, and what steps to take if a plant is identified as invasive.

It’s important to remember that not everything growing in our Wildlight yards belongs there (looking at you, weeds).

Let the discovery begin

With a lively group of homeschool families and curious onlookers, the scavenger hunt began at Pioneer Park—a favorite spot for critters cooling off by the pond. Down at the water’s edge, participants were encouraged to search for wildlife. Some spotted Island Apple Snails, while others discovered the soft purple blooms of Muhly Grass and the bright yellow Lavender Tickseed. Not sure what these look like? No sweat! Visit the Wildlight iNaturalist page to see these discoveries and more than 1,758 other nature observations. Wildlife is truly all around us here.

Although many participants had never heard of a BioBlitz before, they quickly became immersed in the experience and loved learning more about the place they call home. For 90% of the crowd, this was their first BioBlitz—but by the end, they were all iNaturalist pros and enthusiastic nature explorers.

More to come (and explore)

With 1,200 acres of conserved natural space, Wildlight offers countless places to explore, learn from, and protect. And that means more BioBlitz sessions are on the horizon. We’re planning seasonal classes, each dedicated to a unique spot within Wildlight and highlighting what makes it special. Keep an eye on our events calendar for upcoming dates and be sure to reserve your spot.

A little birdie once said “a video is worth a thousand words,” so please enjoy this short clip put together by Marice Nazzaro, from our very first Wildlight BioBlitz.

The Wildlight mixed-use development continues to grow its retail side to serve its expanding Nassau County residential footprint.

Read the full article from the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Ten years ago, driving through Nassau County most likely meant a long stretch of pine forest and “just passing through.”

Few thought of this area as a destination until the first shovel turned over the dirt of what would become Wildlight.

Read the full article from The Florida Times-Union.

Turn on the alarm clocks, the lazy days of summer are winding down and a new school year is right around the corner. Bookbags are being packed. Pencils sharpened. First-day outfits picked out. The anticipation of brand new possibilities of a new school year are fresh in the air.

Need a little help turning off summer mode and switching on the school-day routine? We’ve got you. Here’s how families at Wildlight are gearing up for the 2025-2026 year ahead.

A+ Education, Just Steps from Home

At Wildlight, learning is woven into everyday life. We’re proud to be located in the A-rated Nassau County School District— ranked #1 in all of Florida. Talk about an A+ win for the community.

Right here in Wildlight, our very own Trailblazers walk and bike on the 12+ miles of trails to Wildlight Elementary School. That means drop-off and pick-up are much easier. Parents appreciate the low teacher-to-student ratio. And kids love the playground and outdoor learning center that brings the nature part of our Town in Nature into their curriculum.

Have a little one that’s not quite ready for elementary school? There’s two early learning centers in the community where curiosity leads the way. They’ll spend their days learning through play and exploring, adding educational fun into their schedules.

Start School in Style

A fresh school year means new friends, a new teacher and… new school supplies! Thanks to the Nassau County School District, all supply lists can be found on their handy website. Just filter for your school, print your list and head out to stores to find the supplies that match your personality, hobby or favorite color. And here’s a tip— the annual Back-to-School Tax Free holiday runs all of August. You’re welcome, parents!

And if your student wants to wait until the first bell rings to pick out that perfect folder or pencil pouch, we’ve got you covered. Back-to-Schoolapalooza returns to Tinker Street on Saturday, August 16th. There’ll be a foam party, custom water bottle stations, and plenty of chances to make this year feel extra special. The Wildlight YMCA and UF Health Wildlight will also be there helping families prepare for a healthy and happy season ahead.

Have a few extra notebooks or crayons laying around the house? We’ll be collecting school supplies for Wildlight Elementary School classrooms. Look for the yellow donation bins!

So long, summer

Want to spend a few extra days out in nature before the school doors open? No problem. There’s still time for one last splash or two before the school routine kicks in. With four parks in the community, every parent and kiddo has something to look forward to. Like competitive pickleball games at Coin Toss Park to lounging at Waterbug Pool or kayaking Whistling Duck Pond. Which leads to our next question, does school really have to start?

Although the long days spent in the great outdoors are coming to an end, there’s always a reason to celebrate in Wildlight. After a long day of back to school shopping or even the first day of school, grab a sweet treat at Rita’s Ice at the Crossings at Wildlight. With a variety of delicious flavors to choose from, it’s the perfect way to erase the first day jitters.

And parents, make sure to treat yourself too. Stop by Foxtail Coffee for a caffeinating cup of coffee after drop off or Bohemian Bull for enticing beer on the weekend. You deserve it.

Make it a great year

Whether you’re sending your little one off for the first time or watching your senior enjoy their last “first day,” we’re cheering you on. Here’s to a year of bright possibilities, endless high-fives, and lots of gold stars. Go Wildlight Trailblazers!

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The Nassau County School District made history in the 2024-2025 school year.

Based on the latest rankings released by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Nassau County was ranked the number one school district in Florida, earning an “A” rating for every single school in the district.

Read the full article at News 4 Jax.

The first phase of the park in Nassau County includes two speculative buildings totaling 217,000 square feet.

Read the full article at the Jacksonville Daily Record.