Conservation Florida's Growing Team Strengthens Statewide Impact
Conservation Florida hired Sarah McKenna, Chelsea Noble, and Julie Burford to conserve Florida, save land, and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Orlando, Fla. (June 9, 2022) - Conservation Florida recently welcomed three new teammates that will increase impact, reach, and expertise - Sarah McKenna, communications manager; Chelsea Noble, annual giving and events manager; and Julie Burford, land protection associate. Each will add a high level of experience to Conservation Florida's growing team, and will work to further its mission of protecting Florida's wild and wonderful places for future generations.
As communications manager, Sarah McKenna will play a vital role in managing multimedia projects and increasing brand awareness for our mission-driven organization. Anchored on the east coast in Palm Beach, Sarah brings nearly a decade of marketing and nonprofit experience. She is a true Floridian who fancies free diving and exploring state parks. Sarah is excited to make an actionable change to preserve and protect our state's cultural heritage and pristine landscapes.
"With a mission to protect water, wildlife, and wild places, Conservation Florida embodies my values," said Sarah. "It's a privilege to contribute as the communications manager and share the saga of keeping Florida wild."
Chelsea Noble, our annual giving and events manager, is a proud eighth (and some say ninth) generation Floridian. She grew up in Gainesville playing on her grandparent's farm, exploring hiking trails, floating rivers, and swimming in Lake Sante Fe. She left Gainesville for Tallahassee where she earned the title of "double Nole" from Florida State University with both her undergraduate and master's degrees. While working towards her master's, she held an internship with Conservation Florida that sparked her passion and love for their work. Chelsea brings a decade of event management experience and a lifetime of love for Florida to the team. When not on the job, you can find Chelsea playing with her two dogs – Ellie May and Thor, or on the boat with her new husband, Josh.
"I am thrilled to be part of protecting wild Florida for future generations with Team Conservation Florida," said Chelsea. "Working with such a dynamic group of individuals and partners to ensure my future children can explore the same places I did growing up will be something I look forward to doing every day."
As our newest land protection associate, Julie Burford is responsible for conservation easements, land purchases, and land donations in the North Central Florida to South Florida region. Julie is a seventh-generation Floridian born and raised in Gainesville. She has a deep passion for wildlife conservation and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of “Old Florida”. Julie graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation.
She relocated to Polk County to work as a private lands biologist for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, in partnership with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Wetland Reserve Program. Julie then transitioned to the private sector, and worked as an environmental consultant permitting and mitigating impacts associated with large scale development. However, her heart remained in conservation, and she is thrilled to be back in the game playing an active role in protecting Florida’s invaluable resources.
“Protecting Florida’s natural and cultural resources runs deep in my blood. My ancestors were some of the original pioneers of Florida and I often wonder what the land was like for both my family and those here before them," said Julie. "I’m thrilled to work with Conservation Florida to help preserve our natural resources and those remaining pockets of 'Old Florida' for generations to come.”
Join us in welcoming our newest Conservation Florida teammates by making a donation today!
About Conservation Florida:
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land conservancy working to conserve Florida’s water, wildlife, wild places, and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, wildlife corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy, and nature-based recreation. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has prioritized strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat.