When you're in the tower, the trees stretch out like a blanket over the earth as far as you can see. Beneath the walkway, the trees form a canopy, or a sort of umbrella, over the ground, giving shelter to the animals and plants below. These plants attach themselves to tree trunks and stretch toward the sunlight. Where there is plenty of food. Under this canopy, in this hammock, there are plenty of leaves inviting insects to feast.
Birds sip nectar from blossoms such as the rare Florida butterfly orchid.
And mammals like deer, raccoons and squirrels eat berries, nuts, seeds and fruits. Insects, birds and mammals help the plants by carrying seeds or pollen throughout the forest. Down in the hammock, you can see nature at work. The Myakka River State Park canopy walkway also brings attention to the Florida prairie. Next to the park are another 8,249 acres known as the Myakka Prairie, which the park manages.