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.
Read the full article from the Jacksonville Business Journal.
WILDLIGHT, Fla.—Sept. 22, 2025—Wildlight, a mixed-use master-planned community in Nassau County, is launching the Garden District, a new phase that builds upon its “town in nature” vision by emphasizing natural surroundings and outdoor living. Initial homebuilders of the new Garden District will include Toll Brothers, Perry Homes, David Weekley Homes and Ashton Woods.
The new phase of development will complement the lively Town District, adding a serene, nature-centric setting where residents can enjoy a sense of escape. While the original district offers a fresh take on the classic town mix with retail and restaurants among a variety of homes, the Garden District is where the community’s Florida lowcountry concept takes root in the landscape.
“The Garden District represents the evolution of the Wildlight story, with a stronger connection to the natural environment,” said Wes Hinton, Vice President of Wildlight. “We sought out builders who not only create exceptional homes but also understand our vision for a community where nature is an integral part of daily life. This new district will provide residents and the public with unparalleled access to nature and a way of life that is truly unique to Wildlight.”
How does a community choose its lifestyle director, the person in charge of planning events that bring everybody together? Do you pick the person who’s spent the most years as a lifestyle director? Or do you look for someone who’s led an eventful life?
As you’ve probably guessed by now, we took the latter path. Elizabeth Bricknell, Wildlight’s new Community Lifestyle Director, has never held the official title of lifestyle director. But she has plenty of experience doing everything a lifestyle director does. And she gained that experience living a life filled with music, adventure, creativity and spontaneity.
Liz is originally from Canada. She lived near Lake Michigan. Then Lake Ontario. Then she headed to western Canada. Then finally made her way down to Florida. And if that feels like a wide-ranging journey, wait till you hear about her career path.
It was just a stage
Like so many animal-loving kids, Liz’s first dream was to be a veterinarian … that is, until her mom told her about some of the ickier parts of the job. “As I got older, I wanted to be a performer,” Liz says. “My passion was singing, acting and doing shows. And that’s what I went to college for.”
That’s what sent Liz into teaching. “I figured, well, if I can’t be on Broadway, I can at least inspire passion.”
As with everything Liz does, she brings all sorts of creativity to the classroom. Whether it was teaching fifth grade math. Or coaching high school theater. Or launching a “morning show” written and produced entirely by students. And she has a particular knack for working with teenagers. “It’s just about having real conversations. No judgments.”
Liz completed a four-year degree in musical theater. But then starry-eyed, Broadway-bound Liz suddenly got upstaged by sensible, simplicity-loving Liz. “Real life hits you and says, ‘Do you really want that kind of life?’ And I thought, ‘No, I don’t.’”
Great White North to Sunshine State
So what do you do if you’re living in Canada and have a love of teaching, a natural feel for planning and a taste for adventure? Well, if you’re Liz, you take a job as a teen counselor on a cruise ship based out of Miami. New job? New work environment? A whole new country? Bring it on.
And what exactly does a cruise ship teen counselor do? “I would run the teen clubs. I would take them on youth excursions. I would be their guide and leader.” Sounds a whole lot like a community lifestyle director, doesn’t it?
Working on a cruise ship is what introduced Liz to Florida. It’s also what introduced Liz to her husband Ryan, who was a trombone player in the ship’s show band.
The job she didn’t know she wanted
Eventually Liz would wind her way to Duval County School District, where she spent over a decade teaching, inspiring other teachers and planning enrichment events. Then one day as she was updating her profile on LinkedIn, she decided to see what other kinds of jobs might be out there. And she just happened to come across the description for the Wildlight Lifestyle Director.
“I didn’t even know ‘lifestyle director’ was a job,” she says. “But reading the job description, I thought, ‘This is what I already do at school. I plan events.’ It’s amazing how the universe kind of opens things for you when you’re ready.” (Btw it occurs to us that “Ready” could be Liz’s middle name.)
Expect the unexpected
Liz is now deep into planning events for 2026: “I’ve been given so much room to explore what we want to do for activities.” As Liz has gotten to know more about Wildlight’s devotion to conserving nature, she’s gotten very excited about including more environmental education. “It’s just part of Wildlight. Conservation is so important. And it’s why Wildlight is so beautiful.”
But of course, with her musical background and her unquenchable creative spirit, she’s already thinking outside the box. “I’m trying to rein myself in and not go too far too fast. But eventually I want to go there. Like, how can we combine music and kayaking? How can we do performances by the pond? There have to be so many ways we can do things that people haven’t seen before.”
Now you know why we hired her.
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!
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.
Wildlight Commerce Park in Nassau County continues to move ahead with three buildings, totaling 255,100 square feet of space.
Read the full article at the Jacksonville Daily Record.
If there’s one sign that this year is flying by, it’s this—summer break is finally here! And in our eyes (and let’s be real, every school age kid’s too), it’s the best time of the year. Time to bust out the fresh pool towels, slip into colorful bathing suits and make use of that vacation time that’s begging to be spent on a sunny beach in Northeast Florida.
But before we dive headfirst into those carefree, sun-soaked days, we know a little structure can go a long way—especially when the kiddos are home. That’s where Wildlight’s summer camps and classes come in. They’re kicking off soon, and we’re here to help you plan a break that’s packed with fun and keeps the routine in check.
Wildlight YMCA
Sure, the Wildlight YMCA is known for their entertaining workout classes, numerous youth sport programs and military outreach. But have you heard about their Summer Youth Day Camp? Let’s just say—this isn’t your typical “in-the-woods” camp experience. Campers aged 5-12 years old have the opportunity to connect with old and new best buds, explore activities from STEM to character development all the way down to swimming all summer long. And that’s just the beginning! Every two weeks brings a brand-new theme that encourages confidence, skill-building, and creativity, giving campers tools they can take with them into the school year and beyond.
Sound like Summer Youth Day Camp is the perfect solution to keep your little one(s) engaged and busy over the break? Sign up now. But hurry, there are only a few spots left! We know they’ll have a blast and bring home stories they’ll be excited to share (nonstop, probably!).
But what if camp isn’t their thing? No worries—the Wildlight YMCA offers tumbling and karate classes all season long. They’ll learn to flip and chop their way through summer in no time.
Dance and Music Classes
It’s pretty RAD to have a dance company in Wildlight—especially, when it’s the Royal Amelia Dance Academy. Even better? Half day camps are being offered in June. During the month, your tiny dancer(s) aged 4-12 can try hiphop, acro, and cheer. Have a sibling that also wants to get in on the fun? Sibling discounts are available, too. So here’s your cue— twirl, don’t run, to reserve their spot!
Got a music lover at home? Amelia Music Studio is hosting a 4 to 8-year-old Tiny Treble Makers class during the heart of summer in June & July. This class will introduce students to the magic of music, exploring different genres and instrument families—all while having the best time. Registration is now open!
Summer in Wildlight is just heating up and we can’t wait to be a part of your summertime family fun. Whether it’s spent socializing at day camp, in a hip dance class, or singing your heart out, we’re glad you’re here. Here’s to a wonderful and happy summer in our Town District!
So you’ve heard the news, right? That would be the news about what’s coming to Wildlight — a whole other side of the community, immersed in nature and connected to the St. Marys River. (If you haven’t heard, you should hit pause on this story and take a few minutes to watch the video.)
Ok, so if you know that story or at least watched the vid, you know the other side of Wildlight will begin with a place called the Garden District, which will include a variety of neighborhoods, miles of trails and acres upon acres of parks and pure unadulterated nature. And at this point you may be asking yourself a couple questions. Beginning with: exactly what is Wildlight growing into?
In short, Wildlight is becoming a town. That means more than just homes. It means the full spectrum of community. Workplaces. A grocery store. Schools and daycare centers. Banks and boutiques and burger joints. And what that adds up to is a place where you can walk or bike more and drive less. A place that lives like a small town because it is a small town.
Maybe another question is: if the new part of Wildlight is called the Garden District, then what is the existing part of Wildlight called?
Well, we started with the piece of Wildlight that will contain most of the community’s offices, shops and restaurants. It also includes plenty of neighborhoods where you can buy a lovely new home. But because of the businesses that are here and the businesses that are coming, you can think of this first part of Wildlight as the downtown of the community. So, we’re calling it the Town District.
And finally: will Wildlight add more districts after the Garden District?
Yes, over the coming years and decades, Wildlight will continue to grow. And the beautiful thing about Wildlight is how it’s been designed to become even more diverse and interesting as it grows. So at every stage, it will have so much to offer and yet so much more to look forward to.
March 8th wasn’t a typical morning. It was a race day, feel good, do even better for the Boys & Girls Club of Nassau County Foundation type of morning.
To get us on our marks, let’s begin at the start line on Tinker Street. Where participants were ready to put their 5K & 10K training to the test. But before the cannon could signify the start, we took time to bring up our dear friends from the Boys & Girls Club of Nassau County Foundation. With the help of our participants and race-day sponsors, we were able to raise $5,000 to help drive their mission to provide after-school and summer programs which benefit the community’s youth in our area. Talk about a win!
Once the race began, runners got the VIP tour of the Wildlight trailways and neighborhoods while on the race course. And family and friends had the chance to cheer on their favorite racers as they passed by. To put a little bit more pep in their step, local singer Michael McDaniels gave the runners some almost-to-the-finish-line inspiration through his encouraging tunes and downright good vocals.
Back on Tinker Street, the fun was just getting started. Onlookers enjoyed classic hits sung by The Honey Badgers (we even saw some dancing), fresh eats from three local food trucks and a vendor village that had just about something for everyone. Even the kids had a dedicated area to play in, including a rock wall, balloon artist and face painter. And all runners (age 21 and up) were greeted with a refreshing beer from Mocama Beer Company Wildlight and a completion medal when they hit the finish line.
It takes a village to host Run Wild and it wouldn’t be possible without our amazing sponsors and volunteers who made the day go off in a flawless stride. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to hit a new Run Wild personal record with over 1,000 participants.
Weren’t able to attend (or just want to learn more)? View the full list of the race results here and see if you made it into any of the race day photos here.
We can’t wait to see what other PR’s we’ll hit in 2026!
View the Run Wild 2025 sizzle here!
Finding a new job is hard. But finding a home that’s the right fit for your family can be even more daunting. Add moving to a new city or state to the list. Now that’s a doozy.
With help from Find Your JAX, newcomers and locals alike can find their forever home right here in Northeast Florida. But let’s say you want information from actual residents in a community you’re eyeing – like the Dugan family who live in Wildlight to be exact. We have the perfect video for you.
Why Wildlight?
“It’s a very convenient, comfortable and tranquil place to call home.” – Dugan Family
Convenience
Not only does Wildlight offer an abundance of fresh restaurants and charming retail stores, it’s conveniently located by the robust job market found in Jacksonville. Did we mention that Jacksonville has the #2 trending job market in the U.S.? And let’s not forget that Wildlight is just minutes away from I-95 and I-10 making your commute to and from work a breeze.
Having the #4 rated public elementary school in the state of Florida, Wildlight Elementary School, right in our backyard (literally) is another major perk of our community. Parents can drop their A+ students off on a golf cart or walk them in on a trail. Students also get to enjoy nature during the school day at their outdoor learning center – connecting them back to what Wildlight is all about.
Comfortable
Nothing feels better than coming home to a community that you are safe and comfortable in. Especially when you have a family-focused lifestyle. With five community events and counting, Wildlight is the ideal place to come together with the ones you love. From mornings spent at the Wildlight Market Place, to our very own Run Wild 5k & 10k race, there’s something for every member of the family no matter what the season may be.
Wildlight is a place where everyday feels like vacation, especially with events, family and friends all around the corner. It makes life more comfortable knowing everything you need is right at your fingertips.
Tranquility
Imagine having easy access to 12+ miles of trails and parks with ample green space. That could be your Wildlight reality. We like to call our trailways our main amenities, because after all, who doesn’t love connecting with nature after a busy day? Whether you’re a biker or a hiker, Wildlight has the trails to take on any adventure.
Then there are the parks. We could go on and on about how wild we are about them (check out this article). With four parks here in Wildlight that range from family pools to playgrounds and ponds for fishing, there is always something to see, explore, and experience. There’s recreational equipment for the workout kind and hammocks for the leisure ones.
Calling Wildlight Home
It’s safe to say that Wildlight is the ideal place for convenience, comfortability, and tranquility. If you’re new to Northeast Florida or a local looking for a fresh adventure, add Wildlight to the top of the list.
But don’t just take our word or the Dugan’s family for it. Stop by for a visit and see what Wildlight is all about.