Conservation Florida: name change puts greater focus on conservation

Gainesville, Fla., July 30, 2018 — The Conservation Trust for Florida announced today that it will now be doing business as Conservation Florida.  

“We’re excited about the new name because it clearly represents what we do and where we do it,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s executive director. “The shorter name is more descriptive, straightforward, and memorable.” 

Deen said the name change is part of a broader outreach initiative by the nonprofit to communicate its mission to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. 

Conservation Florida has also updated its mission, vision, and website. It has created new marketing materials with the help of a grant from the Land Trust Alliance.  

Conservation Florida's vision is a Florida where protected lands support healthy populations of native plants and wildlife, like the Florida Scrub Jay pictured above. Photo by Chuck Palmer

According to Lisa Gearen, who is the president of the organization’s volunteer board of directors, Conservation Florida is experiencing a time of great transition marked by growth and progress.  

Last year, it hired new leadership and recommitted to working on statewide land conservation projects with a focus on large conservation lands and the corridors that connect them. Today, the organization is working on over 30 active projects totaling more than 180,000 acres.  

Gearen reflected, “Conservation Florida is proud of its history, and we look forward to a very bright future as an effective, trusted partner in the work of saving Florida, forever.” 

Our mission is to protect Florida's natural and agricultural landscapes. It is our hope that protected lands will form a statewide conservation corridor, support the success of working family farms and ranches, and contribute to a healthy economy.

Photo by Carlton Ward.

Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has been instrumental in helping to protect over 30,000 acres throughout the state. More than half of that acreage has been protected during the last five years.  

As Conservation Florida grows to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead, it remains an accredited land trust committed to long-term stability, sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.