News

Conservation Florida 6/30/21 Conservation Florida 6/30/21

Conservation Florida Celebrates Signing of Florida Wildlife Corridor Act

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into law today, and Conservation Florida celebrates this bipartisan win for Florida’s conservation future.

Tallahassee, Fla.  (June 30, 2021) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into law last night and Conservation Florida celebrates this bipartisan win for Florida’s conservation future.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act formally recognizes the geographic Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide greenway that spans from the Panhandle to the Everglades and aims to connect large swaths of conservation lands. More, the bill showcases the importance of its permanent protection.

“The signing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act by Governor DeSantis marks a big win for land conservation in Florida and sparks both excitement and inspiration for Florida's conservation future,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. "Conservation Florida is thrilled to celebrate the signing of the Act into law and is grateful for the Governor’s leadership on this historic day.”

The signing of the Act is a true culmination of over a decade of work driven by partnership and spearheaded by the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition and the Path of the Panther initiative.

Conservation Florida, a founding partner of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition, has been a partner in this effort since 2009. A primary driver of the statewide land conservancy’s conservation work is the protection of the Corridor. It works to engage landowners and government partners to protect critical properties to make the corridor vision a reality.

Conservation Florida has been working on connecting key segments of the Florida Wildlife Corridor since its founding in 1999. With the support of its incredible partners and supporters, Conservation Florida is now actively leading the charge to protect tens of thousands of acres within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and looks forward to working with the State of Florida through its Florida Forever program to achieve continued success.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for protecting Florida’s incredible habitats, water resources, and biodiversity for future generations.

The Act recognizes that the state population is growing rapidly and that lands and waters vital to wide-ranging wildlife, like the Florida panther, need to be protected. It aims to incentivize and prioritize conservation and sustainable development within the boundaries of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and conserve Florida’s green infrastructure for the benefit of wildlife, Floridians, and the economy.

"The Florida Wildlife Corridor provides a vision for Florida as a whole that protects the places we all love, provides habitat and room to roam for our native species, cleans and stores water, provides ample outdoor recreational opportunity, supports Florida’s family farms and ranches, all while accounting for Florida’s future growth,” said Deen.

This coordinated, statewide effort to protect natural corridors would ultimately provide wildlife with access to safe passageways between conservation areas. Without wildlife corridors, iconic species like the Florida panther are at risk of becoming isolated in small islands of protected lands. Corridors allow individual animals from different sub-populations to successfully comingle and move to different habitats to find food and water as part of their natural migration patterns.

Earlier this year, Gov. DeSantis signed the 2021 Florida State Budget into law, providing $400 million to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of State Lands to conserve land through its Florida Forever program. Importantly, $300 million of that money will prioritize the conservation of wildlife corridors and both natural and agricultural landscapes. This is important as over 2 million acres of the Florida Wildlife Corridor are ranchlands, the protection of which are critical to the success of the Corridor vision.

About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.

We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!

About the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition is a unifying voice that provides a window into wild Florida through high quality, impactful, and authentic storytelling. Using a science-based approach, on-the-ground knowledge of the Corridor, and the support of thousands of followers throughout the state and nation, the organization works to identify and elevate the most pressing threats and opportunities facing the Corridor. Seeking landscape-scale conservation, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition cultivates awareness and action through film, photography, painting, drawing, mapping, storytelling, and expeditions.

About the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act creates incentives for conservation and sustainable development while sustaining and conserving the green infrastructure that is the foundation for Florida's economy and quality of life. The Act addresses that the state population is growing rapidly and that lands and waters that provide Florida's green infrastructure and vital habitat for wide-ranging wildlife, such as the Florida panther, need to be preserved and protected.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act aims to:

Maintain wildlife access to the habitats needed to allow for migration and genetic exchange amongst regional wildlife populations.
Prevent fragmentation of wildlife habitats.
Protect the headwaters of major watersheds, including the Everglades and the St. Johns River.
Providing ecological connectivity of the lands needed for large-scale ecosystem functions, such as water and prescribed burns that are essential for land management and restoration.
Preserve and protect land and waters that are not only vital to wildlife, but are critical to the state's groundwater recharge and serve as watersheds that provide drinking water to most Floridians as well as help maintain the health of downstream coastal estuaries.

Providing wildlife crossings for the protection and safety of wildlife and the traveling public.
Help to sustain Florida's working ranches, farms, and forests that provide compatible wildlife habitat while sustaining rural prosperity and agricultural production.

Image Credit: Adam Strang Bass on a current Conservation Florida project located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor

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Conservation Florida 6/15/21 Conservation Florida 6/15/21

Conservation Florida Wins Full Funding for Arbuckle Creek Ranch

Conservation Florida and its partners at Avon Park Air Force Range and NRCS have successfully secured funding to save the 1,250-acre Arbuckle Creek Ranch. The land will protect vital wildlife habitat, including Florida’s endangered cutthroat grass, and help sustain military readiness activities.

Arbuckle Creek winds its way through Highlands County toward Lake Okeechobee. Photo by Graham Norman.

Conservation Florida and its partners at Avon Park Air Force Range and NRCS have successfully secured funding to save the 1,250-acre Arbuckle Creek Ranch. The land will protect vital wildlife habitat, including Florida’s endangered cutthroat grass, and help sustain military readiness activities.

Avon Park, Fla., (June 15, 2021) — Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation, is moving quickly to protect 1,250 acres in Highlands County.

This will be one of many conservation lands to be permanently protected by Conservation Florida within its Headwaters to Okeechobee (H2O) regional partnership boundary. The H2O is a land conservation initiative that’s all about water in the Northern Everglades. This vibrant landscape contains historic cattle ranches, sweeping vistas, and vast ecosystems. Because it forms the headwaters of the Greater Everglades, its protection is critical for the future of Florida’s freshwater supply.

The owners of Arbuckle Creek Ranch signed an agreement with Conservation Florida in mid 2020 that gave the nonprofit time to seek funding to purchase a conservation easement, which is a binding legal agreement that permanently restricts development activities on environmentally sensitive lands.

A cowboy rides out on a foggy morning to tend cattle on Arbuckle Creek Ranch. Photo by Carlton Ward, Jr.

Conservation Florida achieved its fundraising goal through competitive federal grant programs and is now finalizing plans to permanently protect the land’s special attributes.

Arbuckle Creek Ranch is important to protect and beneficial to the public because it helps filter and replenish drinking water within the Lake Istokpoga watershed, which drains into the Kissimmee River and on to Lake Okeechobee. It also supports local agriculture, aids military readiness, and provides habitat for native plants and wildlife.

The ranch is within the boundaries of the Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) Sentinel Landscape. This vast landscape is centered around the Air Force’s “largest primary air-to-ground training range east of the Mississippi River,” according to APAFR.

“The protection benefits of Arbuckle Creek Ranch extend well beyond its boundaries,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “It contributes to the health of the entire Greater Everglades Ecosystem and adds to the Florida Wildlife Corridor.”

Last year, the U.S. Dept. of Defense, through its Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, pledged over $1.7 million to support Conservation Florida’s campaign to protect Arbuckle Creek Ranch.

Now, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded Conservation Florida and its regional partners the remaining funds needed to carry Arbuckle Creek Ranch over the finish line and protect this special property forever.

“When private landowners, nonprofits, and agencies work together, we can protect critical ranch lands within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape. Partnerships such as this one are helping to keep the ranching industry viable in Florida while protecting threatened ecosystems and wildlife,” said Juan Hernandez, NRCS state conservationist for Florida.

The NRCS administers the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program for Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE), which provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits.

In addition to the water, wildlife, and habitat benefits, protection of Arbuckle Creek Ranch will benefit Avon Park Air Force Range by reducing residential development that interferes with military operations.

“We are extremely grateful to NRCS for their support and are pleased to see this project move forward. Working in conjunction with NRCS and Conservation Florida to acquire a conservation easement on Arbuckle Creek Ranch is a tremendous opportunity to protect working lands, promote conservation, and enhance mission sustainability at Avon Park Air Force Range,” said Buck MacLaughlin, Lt. Col., Ret. AF. “Protecting this property buffers the flight path into Arbuckle Airfield and protects night-time military training by limiting dense construction of incompatible light sources. The ability to operate at night is a distinct advantage that our military forces use while serving our country.”
“Arbuckle Creek Ranch is an exceptional property,” said Adam Bass, Conservation Florida’s director of conservation. “It will protect a mile of natural land along Arbuckle Creek, two pristine streams, rangelands that are part of Highland County’s cultural heritage, and hundreds of acres of critical habitat.”

At a time when Florida is facing intense development pressures, ranchlands are sought after for conversion into large housing developments and planned communities. Conservation Florida has made ranchlands in the Northern Everglades a top protection priority within its Headwaters to Okeechobee regional land and water conservation initiative.

Arbuckle Creek Ranch is a family-run cow-calf operation where a herd of cattle is managed with the goal of raising calves to sell. It is also home to an endangered cutthroat grass community that spans 300 hundred acres.

The natural habitat on the property is also ideal for Florida scrub jays, eastern indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises. Florida panthers, and other endangered Florida species, have been documented on the ranch.

The Arbuckle Creek Ranch conservation easement project is one of many that Conservation Florida is working on in the Greater Everglades ecosystem. The larger goal of the regional initiative is to form a continuous conservation corridor stretching from the Everglades Headwaters to Lake Okeechobee.

Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!

Donate

About Conservation Florida

About NRCS

NRCS puts more than 80 years of experience to work assisting America's private landowners with conserving their soil, water and other natural resources. Local, state and federal agencies and policymakers also rely on our expertise. We deliver technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs. Cost shares and financial incentives are available in some cases. The majority of conservation application is accomplished with local partners. Our partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in Florida. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.

About Avon Park Air Force Range

Avon Park Air Force Range is a 106,000-acre military training facility located in Polk and Highlands Counties, in South-Central Florida (see our official mission statement). The Fish, Wildlife, and Outdoor Recreation Program works in coordination with the Air Force to provide recreational opportunities to the public and military personnel.

APAFR is known as a world-class destination for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, birding, and outdoor educational opportunities for all ages.

Conservation Florida 6/10/21 Conservation Florida 6/10/21

Announcing Florida Cattle Ranchers as “This Brand Saves Land™” Corporate Partner

Conservation Florida is proud to announce Florida Cattle Ranchers as the first corporate partner for the organization’s This Brand Saves Land™ corporate philanthropy campaign.

Orlando, Fla. (June 10, 2021) - Conservation Florida is proud to announce Florida Cattle Ranchers as the first corporate partner for the organization’s This Brand Saves Land™ corporate philanthropy campaign.

Florida Cattle Ranchers, or FCR, has committed to ensuring a healthy future for Florida in partnership with Conservation Florida by donating to support the land conservancy’s mission to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations.

When customers purchase Florida Cattle Ranchers Beef, a percentage of those sales will support Conservation Florida’s land protection capabilities as a part of the organization’s statewide effort to save critical ecosystems and wildlife corridors forever.

“This partnership is huge for the Florida Cattle Ranchers. We are thrilled to be working alongside Conservation Florida because we’re confident that this partnership will enable us to achieve new heights in conservation throughout our state,” said Gene Lollis, FCR founding member and chairman of the board.

FCR’s mission is to bring Florida consumers homegrown beef using time-honored traditions, wholesome and humane practices, and an intentional focus on the sustainability of Florida’s land and water resources with transparency and integrity. Driven by heritage and collaboration, FCR strives to make its mark by providing beef that’s born and raised in Florida.

As a This Brand Saves Land™ corporate partner, FCR has joined Conservation’s Florida’s fight for Florida. The partnership shows the strength of likeminded brands coming together and actively allows organizations to partake in practicing their Florida-focused values.

“It’s vitally important that Florida and our country at large get serious about land conservation to preserve this land before it’s gone,” said Gene Lollis.

Conservation Florida’s partnership with Florida Cattle Ranchers, and others within the campaign, is a driving force behind their ability to continue forging a conservation future in Florida. The effects of Conservation Florida’s land saving work are amplified and multiplied when we come together as Floridians to protect what is precious within our state.

Growing by nearly 1,000 newcomers each day, how we manage our natural resources over the next 10 years – what we save and what we pave – will undoubtedly determine Florida’s conservation future and the future of Florida as a whole.

“This state is not sustainable unless we preserve Florida’s ranch land that provides the resources necessary for survival like clean air, water recharge areas, green space and habitats for endangered species,” said Cary Lightsey, a founding member of FCR. “My old saying has always been, ‘people don’t come here to see a housing development, they come here to see our beautiful ecosystem’.”

By partnering with businesses that share the same vision for Florida’s conservation future, Conservation Florida will expand its programs, its land protection pace, and propel the land conservancy to new conservation heights. This Brand Saves Land™ is a way for businesses to highlight their values, social responsibility, and how they are giving back to the community.

“We are proud to be partnering with the Florida Cattle Ranchers to achieve a joint vision for Florida,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “We’re eager to link arms with Florida-based brands that love this state and want to keep it wildly beautiful.”

Interested in joining forces for the protection of natural and agricultural landscapes throughout Florida?

Become a This Brand Saves Land ™ Corporate Partner and commit to conservation. Businesses that link arms via This Brand Saves Land™ will play a vital part in protecting Florida’s future. Join us!

Learn more

About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida 6/3/21 Conservation Florida 6/3/21

2021 Bioblitz attendees explore and support D Ranch Preserve

Conservation Florida’s very own piece of wild Florida, D Ranch Preserve, was opened to the public for the first time on May 22 for the organization’s annual bioblitz. 256 observations were made on iNaturalist of at least 87 different species.

Conservation Florida’s very own piece of wild Florida, D Ranch Preserve, was opened to the public on May 22 for the organization’s annual bioblitz.

Driven by curiosity and the love of nature, more than 50 participants traveled from Tallahassee, Tampa, and beyond to the 476-acre preserve to hear from subject matter experts and log local biodiversity.

D Ranch Preserve is teeming with life and on May 22, with eager explorers as well. The group recorded 256 observations on iNaturalist of at least 87 different species during the four-hour bioblitz.

Some of the species observed were: eastern coral snake, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, southern black racer, oak toads, blue dasher, sand blackberries, sunshine mimosas, gopher tortoises, tarflower, American beautyberry, and yellow milkwort.

The information gathered during the bioblitz will not only help Conservation Florida learn how to best manage D Ranch Preserve, but it will also contribute to the collection of scientific data through iNaturalist.

To learn more about the species documented during our D Ranch Preserve bioblitz event, please check out our project on iNaturalist!

Trekking the Trails

The morning began with a difficult decision, take the bright and early birding tour or go gopher tortoise spotting.

Birding experts, Deborah Green, Peter Kleinhenz, and Heather Levy led a group through the preserve and identified the songs of a Carolina Wren, spotted sandhill cranes flying above, and more!

Neal Halstead led his group to several gopher tortoise burrows and used a camera to peek inside them in search of gopher tortoises. Not only did they find tortoises, but gopher frogs and wolf spiders as well! More than 350 species benefit from gopher tortoises and their burrows. Read more here about why this makes them a keystone species!

Next, participants hiked with Dr. Marc Behrendt looking for hidden reptiles and amphibians. Luckily, an eastern coral snake and a Florida bark scorpion were spotted in enough time for those nearby to back away!

Marcie Clutter took a group through trails to identify as many plants as possible. Some of the highlights were Florida prickly-pear cactus, tarflower, and scrub roseling.

Finally, Conservation Florida staff Adam Bass and Lillian Dinkins took those who were not exploring and bioblitzing on their own through the unique habitats of D Ranch Preserve to show guests the importance of conservation and property management.

Special Thanks

Thank you to our volunteers and participants who helped make this special bioblitz a success. We hope to welcome you back to D Ranch Preserve very soon!

Support D Ranch Preserve

Conservation Florida plans to open D Ranch Preserve in its full glory as a public preserve that is protected forever. Join us in our efforts to support the conservation and exploration of wild Florida land.

Please consider making a donation to fund Conservation Florida’s land management and public opening of D Ranch Preserve so that it may be enjoyed by all for years to come!

Donate

About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida 5/26/21 Conservation Florida 5/26/21

Partnership and Philanthropy Save 278 acres on Florida’s Santa Fe River

“We wish to show our appreciation for the opportunity this Country has provided us by contributing this beautiful piece of property along the Santa Fe River, in Alachua and Bradford Counties,” said Dale Lundgren, speaking on behalf of himself and his wife, Helen. The couple has owned the property for over 40 years.

Gainesville, Fla. (May 26, 2021) – Together, two land trusts, Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) and Conservation Florida, will permanently conserve 278 acres on the Santa Fe River. Additionally, 236 of those acres will become Alachua County’s newest preserve owned and operated by Alachua County. The land trusts will jointly hold a conservation easement over the preserve and surrounding acreage.

This pristine habitat in the Upper Santa Fe River basin is forever protected thanks to a generous donation by landowners Dale and Helen Lundgren.

“We wish to show our appreciation for the opportunity this Country has provided us by contributing this beautiful piece of property along the Santa Fe River, in Alachua and Bradford Counties,” said Dale Lundgren, speaking on behalf of himself and his wife, Helen. The couple has owned the property for over 40 years.

The Santa Fe River begins its 75-mile westerly journey at Lake Santa Fe northeast of Gainesville. It meanders toward the Suwannee River, where it empties, flowing underground in O’Leno State Park through an intricate cave system and emerging at River Rise Preserve State Park.

Along the way, it passes by the Lundgrens’ property – a special slice of Florida that spans a mile of the Santa Fe River on both the north and south banks.

The Lundgrens’ dream of protecting their cherished family land is now a reality after years of negotiations with Alachua County, ACT, and Conservation Florida. The couple carefully explored their options and found a unique solution to meet their conservation goals for the property.

They donated 236 acres to Alachua County to own and manage as a public preserve. Additionally, the Lundgren’s donated a conservation easement on the property that will be jointly held by ACT and Conservation Florida. The conservation easement provides an additional level of protection by requiring annual monitoring to ensure the land is maintained with conservation in mind as the Lundgrens desire.

“Protection of lands along the Santa Fe River has been the top priority of the Alachua County’s acquisition program since its inception. These donations are a significant step forward in achieving the County’s goals, noted Charlie Houder, Land Conservation and Management Director of Environmental Protection for Alachua County. “In addition to preserving high quality habitat, the land will ultimately provide additional opportunities for public recreation and environmental education.”

The two land trusts, ACT and Conservation Florida, will share these responsibilities and serve as backups for each other. The Lundgrens chose this option understanding the long-lasting responsibility of protecting land.

Together, the three partners will work closely with one another to protect the remarkable habitat on the property and make sure that generations to come are able to visit and enjoy this special preserve.

“Dale and Helen Lundgren’s gift is a critical part of conservation efforts to protect the most critical east-west wildlife corridor in North Central Florida,” said Tom Kay, Executive Director of ACT. “Keeping this corridor intact is not only important for wildlife but also for the water quality and quantity of the Santa Fe River, its springs, and the people in region who depend on it for their drinking water, recreation and livelihood.”

According to Florida State Parks, “the Santa Fe River Sink / River Rise system in O’Leno is the largest swallet-to-resurgence system in Florida.” This rare system “creates a natural bridge that humans have been using to cross the river for over 14,000 years, including native peoples, early Europeans and Florida pioneers.”

“There’s power in partnerships,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “We are happy to work with our fellow land trust and the County to make the Lundgren’s dream come true.”
Butch Parks, Conservation Florida’s previous director of conservation who worked on this conservation project prior to his retirement shared, “I admire Dr. and Mrs. Lundgren’s love for the land, their passion to protect it, and desire to share it with the public. They worked for many years with numerous partners to make sure that it was protected forever.”

View of Santa Fe River. Photo by Conservation Florida staff.

The protection of the Lundgren’s property is the latest success in a larger effort, spearheaded by ACT, that focuses on the Suwannee and Santa Fe watersheds, which contain five state designated Springs Priority Focus Areas. ACT and its partners are working with private property owners in the region to protect working farms, timberlands, and natural areas through private land protection efforts.

Conservation Florida, Alachua County, and ACT have additional land holdings and conservation easements along the Santa Fe River that contribute to the overall goals of the regional initiative.

In addition to protecting scenic views and preventing habitat fragmentation along the Santa Fe River, the preserve offers many benefits to the public including protecting water quality, storing floodwaters, and providing wildlife habitat. It will be managed as a preserve by the Office of Land Conservation and Management under the Alachua County Forever program.

The property is not currently open to the public. Development of public access and recreational amenities is anticipated once the management planning process is complete.

“After our demise,” said Dr. Lundgren in a written statement, “we hope it to become Lundgren Nature Park, for the enjoyment of people, both young and old, in this area. Alachua County has been good to us, and we hope to thank them with this gift.”

Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!

Donate

About Conservation Florida

About Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT)

The mission of Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida. ACT protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements in 16 counties. Since 1988, ACT has protected over 55,000 acres, directly purchasing more than 23,000 acres and actively manages 12 preserves for passive recreational use.

About Alachua County: Land Conservation and Management

The mission of the Alachua County Forever is to acquire, improve, and manage environmentally significant lands that protect water resources, wildlife habitats and natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation.

Conservation Florida 5/18/21 Conservation Florida 5/18/21

Prepare to BioBlitz like Never Before!

Join us this Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to noon and explore wild Florida! Get an exclusive first-look at D Ranch Preserve while walking trails with experts and learning how to use iNaturalist to count and identify as many species as possible.

This Saturday, May 22, join us from 8 a.m. to noon and explore wild Florida! Get an exclusive first-look at D Ranch Preserve while walking trails with experts and learning how to use iNaturalist to count and identify as many species as possible.

Schedule

8 - 9 a.m.: guided hike options: Bright & Early Birding / Go Gopher Tortoise Spotting

9 - 10 a.m.: guided hike options: Search for Reptiles and Amphibians / Identify Plants on the Property

10 - 11 a.m.: Hike the Habitats of D Ranch Preserve

11 a.m. - noon: Explore and Chat with Conservation Florida Staff

Meet your guides!

8 - 9 a.m.

Bright & Early Birding

Join our experts, Deborah Green, Peter Kleinhenz, and Heather Levy for an exciting bird walk! On this hike, you will learn about Florida’s many beautiful birds and listen for their songs!

Deborah Green is president of Orange Audubon Society, a birder, and native plant gardener. She worked six years as an entomologist, including three years in Puerto Rico, and then turned to science teaching in Central Florida — mostly environmental science at the community college level. Her final job before retirement was as Valencia College’s founding Sustainability Director. As a volunteer through Orange Audubon, she chairs the North Shore Birding Festival committee and enjoys teaching and learning.

Peter Kleinhenz works as the Aucilla Watershed Coalition Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. He also teaches part-time at Thomas University and hosts/co-produces the online video series, Wild Wander. Outside of these jobs, he has served on the board of Apalachee Audubon Society for five years and is currently the chair of the Conservation Committee. Peter earned a B.A. in both Zoology and Mass Communications from Miami University, and earned a Master's of Science in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University. In his free time, Peter enjoys traveling around Florida, around the country, and around the world to search for plants and animals. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and carnivorous plants are his specialties here in the U.S. but he is most interested in rhinos, small cats, freshwater dolphins, and island-endemic birds.

Heather Levy is an avid birder and works as an avian biologist for Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. She studies endemic and endangered southeastern bird species from the pines to the coastal marshes. She received her B.S. in environmental science at Florida State University and graduated with a M.S. in wildlife ecology from the University of Georgia last year. She volunteers on the board of Apalachee Audubon Society and the Florida Ornithological Society. In her free time, she is probably birding and looking for critters!

Go Gopher Tortoise Spotting

Explore D Ranch Preserve with Neal Halstead while in search of gopher tortoises. Be on the lookout for these slow movers and their burrows, which can provide habitat for over 350 other species!

Neal Halstead is Research Director and a Senior Ecologist with Wildlands Conservation in Tampa. He has 18 years of research and field experience in Florida. His primary focus is on conservation issues associated with Florida native species and habitats, with an emphasis on experimental design and analysis of research studies. He is the lead instructor for Wildlands’ FWC-approved Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent training curriculum, and is currently conducting a range-wide study on the federally threatened Florida sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink. Neal completed his B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the University of South Florida.

9 - 10 a.m.

Search for Reptiles and Amphibians

Hike alongside Marc Behrendt in search of some of D Ranch Preserve’s reptiles and amphibians. You may come across eastern indigo snakes and a variety of frogs/toads!

Screen Shot 2021-05-13 at 4.39.52 PM.png

Dr. Marc Behrendt’s first love is herpetology, which inspired him to move to central Florida in 2017 to become involved with the region’s reptiles and amphibians. He teaches anatomy at Celebration High School in and is an adjunct professor with Ohio University. A certified naturalist and active conservationist, Marc is an expert in Herpetology and Entomology, and is an avid birder. During his free time, Marc enjoys spending time outdoors, experiencing and learning Florida’s wild side.

Identify Plants on the Property

Learn about the many unique plants of D Ranch Preserve with Marcie Clutter as you walk a trail on the property. You will be able to identify trees, shrubs, wildflowers and more!

Marcie Clutter is a retired educator and naturalist who has devoted most of her adult years to preserving and studying endangered plants, animals, and birds. Marcie is a past member of the Chassahowitzka Black Bear Working Group, current member of the Big Bend Black Bear Shareholders Group, and volunteered for Defenders of Wildlife for 11 years as the education chairperson for Defenders’ Habitat for Bears Campaign. Marcie has volunteered with the Florida Forest Service for more than 20 years focusing on removing invasive plants from forestry land. Marcie participated in a summer long research project to document avian nests in the Coolville River Delta, AK in 1987, and monitored an RCW cluster for six years in the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest. Marcie is an active member and former board member and President of Hernando Audubon Society of Florida. She is currently assisting ARCI’s Ken Meyer with erecting and monitoring kestrel nest boxes near forestry land in the southwestern part of Citrus County and assisting with short-tailed hawk surveys in south Florida.

10 - 11 a.m.

Hike the Habitats of D Ranch Preserve

Follow Conservation Florida staff Adam Bass, director of conservation, and Lillian Dinkins, conservation programs fellow, through the many ecosystems of D Ranch Preserve. Learn about the property’s habitats and history on a walk through wild Florida.

Adam Bass is a multigenerational Floridian with experience in real estate, agriculture, and art. Before joining us as Director of Conservation, Adam managed a 2000-acre farm and cattle operation, and founded a successful wildlife photography business. Adam also served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps with two tours in Iraq. Adam is looking forward to leading our statewide efforts to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations.

Lillian Dinkins is a recent graduate of Tuskegee University where she majored in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Plant Sciences with a focus in Forestry and Wildlife. She is from Atlanta, Georgia and although she is a city girl, she has a love for the outdoors and a passion for wildlife. She has grown to understand that conservation is important for future generations as well as for people today. Her biggest goal is to help people learn and understand why conservation is important and get people back in nature to see the benefit of being outdoors. While working with Conservation Florida, Lillian hopes to learn about the unique ecosystem of Florida and take photos of wildlife to share what she sees and learns with others.

11 a.m. - Noon

Explore and Chat with Conservation Florida staff

Learn about our current conservation projects, hear more about D Ranch Preserve, and explore more of the property!

We hope that you will join us at our annual Bioblitz this Saturday, May 22, to explore wild Florida and help us identify the species of D Ranch Preserve.

Learn more and register through the link below.

FAQ:

What's a bioblitz?

Participants come together to find, COUNT, and identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as they can spot! You can learn more by watching this short video.

Where is this event taking place?

Our bioblitz is being hosted at Conservation Florida's D Ranch Preserve in Volusia County across from the Lake Monroe Conservation Area.

2655 Reed Ellis Rd.

Osteen, FL 32764

Who should attend?

Everyone! We will have activities throughout the day that are designed to be fun and informative for families, community groups, and people of all ages and abilities. A smartphone is required to participate in the species cataloging activities but not needed to enjoy learning about and experiencing natural Florida.

How much does it cost?

Tickets for adults are $5. Children under 18 are free to attend. Purchasing tickets directly supports our important stewardship work at D Ranch Preserve. With the generous gifts from our friends & neighbors like you, our efforts will continue to be successful. Please consider making an additional donation today.

How is COVID-19 affecting this event?

We are following recommended guidelines from the CDC to provide a safe and enjoyable bioblitz!

How should I prepare?

Plan as you would for any daylong adventure in the great outdoors. Some of the activities are guided hikes that require a considerable amount of walking on trails that might be difficult to navigate. You may encounter a variety of wildlife, including: snakes, mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, tortoises, birds, and butterflies. You should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sunscreen, bug spray, protective clothing, and water. You will also want to check the weather and download a map to your location ahead of time in case cell service is not available along your route.

Please bring your cameras, binoculars, and cell phones - you won't want to miss the opportunity to observe some of Florida's amazing species!

How do I record what I see?

If you haven't already done so, please download the iNaturalist app to your smartphone. This app allows you to record your observations directly to Conservation Florida's bioblitz project. Please visit the iNaturalist tutorials for more information and join our iNaturalist project. Select the location where you plan to participate and record your findings on the day of the event! You can also share your experience on social media using #flbioblitz.

What if I have more questions?

We're here for you. Reach out to us at info@conserveflorida.org. We will also call you and email you periodically as the event date approaches.

Conservation Florida 5/12/21 Conservation Florida 5/12/21

Gissy Springs and Rainbow River Ranch added to growing list of Conservation Florida land protection priorities

Conservation Florida is urging the State to act quickly to protect these missing pieces of a land protection puzzle that will form an unbroken corridor of conservation lands from Rainbow Springs State Park to Withlacoochee State Forest.

Conservation Florida is urging the State to act quickly to protect these missing pieces of a land protection puzzle that will form an unbroken corridor of conservation lands from Rainbow Springs State Park to Withlacoochee State Forest.

Public access is not permitted. Please respect private property rights. This land is privately owned, and trespassing may interfere with protection efforts. — **Public access is not permitted.** Please respect private property rights. This land is privately owned, and trespassing may interfere with protection efforts.

Dunnellon, Fla. (May 12, 2021) - Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation and partner in the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, is working on an exciting new land and springs protection project – Gissy Springs and Rainbow River Ranch.

Located within the Rainbow River Corridor, which is a high priority Florida Forever project, these two properties, totaling 300 acres, span the last 4,620 feet of undeveloped shoreline and contain at least 13 springs that flow into the Rainbow River.

The Rainbow River is one of the longest spring runs in the world and is a state-designated Aquatic Preserve and Outstanding Florida Water as well as a Surface Water Improvement and Management Act priority water body. These designations speak to the critical significance of protecting this Florida jewel.

“Swift action to acquire conservation easements on these lands will provide added protection to the Rainbow River and the ecosystem that it supports,” said Traci Deen, CEO at Conservation Florida.

Overuse, septic waste, and pollution pose serious threats to the health of the river. When the landowner, Jim Gissy, explored the idea of building an eco-friendly resort on his riverfront property, he was initially thinking it would be a boon to the community and create jobs. However, his proposal was met with opposition from environmental advocacy groups who feared increased use would further degrade the river's habitat.

Mr. Gissy withdrew his application to develop because he didn’t want to build something the community did not want. Instead, he met with Conservation Florida to discuss options for selling conservation easements on the property.

“I think there needs to be a balance between keeping nature “nature” and supporting the local economy,” said Gissy. “There’s no other place like it in Florida and the timing is good to protect it,” he said referring to the Rainbow River spring run.

This would not be the first time Gissy has protected land on the Rainbow River. He previously sold land holdings along the river to the state for conservation purposes. He also worked with state and federal authorities to restore a dazzling second magnitude spring to its original glory by removing years of debris that had clogged it.

Long sought-after for protection, the parcels would provide the missing pieces in a chain of connected conservation lands, including the Rainbow Springs State Park and Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, which surround the properties.

Sandwiched between Rainbow Springs State Park and State Campground, Gissy Springs is a critical missing piece of the Rainbow River Corridor that would connect the current northern and southern parcels of the park. The Rainbow River Ranch is located along the park’s southern boundary.

As stated in the Florida Forever Five-Year Plan, “the proposed acquisitions would provide a more contiguous system of natural areas by creating an intact corridor between conservation lands. It would also provide added protection for the river by safeguarding the remaining undeveloped lands in the already significantly altered waterway.” Gissy Springs, with 13 spring vents, flows into the Rainbow River, which feeds the larger Withlacoochee River.

The Withlacoochee River and its basin encompass a wide range of ecosystems including floodplain forests, cypress domes, pine flatwoods, sandhills, lake systems, and marshes that provide habitat for important wildlife populations.

Dr. Burt Eno, president of Rainbow River Conservation (RRC), has been advocating for the protection of this land since 2006, when the group submitted the Rainbow River Corridor Project application to Florida Forever. The project sought to protect the Rainbow River by conserving large parcels of land along the river. Among those parcels were the Gissy Springs property and the portion of the Rainbow River Ranch now owned by Gissy.

"RRC vigorously opposed development on those properties and we are now very pleased that Mr. Gissy has chosen to protect those properties, and the Rainbow River, through conservation easements. We wish him well in this endeavor," said Eno.

Rainbow River Ranch and Gissy Springs contain several natural communities including hydric hammock, sandhill, scrubby/mesic flatwoods, and upland mixed forest/mesic hammock. Acquisition of these lands will help preserve habitat for numerous species including several turtle species and state-listed wading birds, according to the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection.

Adam Bass, director of conservation at Conservation Florida said that this project checks a lot of boxes. “It meets several of the state's highest protection goals, making it an excellent candidate for funding through Florida Forever this year.”

In addition to protecting a spring run and agricultural lands, it protects biodiversity by conserving rare species habitat, preserves landscape linkages and completes a conservation corridor, protects surface waters, contributes to aquifer recharge, and enhances natural resource-based recreation opportunities by filling several land gaps between sections of the Rainbow River State Park. Rainbow Springs is a first magnitude spring and currently has the highest average flow of any spring in Florida.

This is a rare opportunity to complete a corridor of protected lands to prevent further development and conflicting land uses that could harm the ecological value of the beautiful Rainbow River. Further, the project will provide potential restoration of altered habitats along the riverbank to help restore and maintain water quality.

Help Conservation Florida save more land like Gissy Springs by making a donation today!

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Conservation Florida 5/11/21 Conservation Florida 5/11/21

Director of Philanthropy Hired to Increase Land Conservation Capabilities

As director of philanthropy, Sarah Collins will lead fundraising efforts to support the organization’s large-scale land conservation mission.

Conservation Florida, a leader in statewide land conservation, hired Sarah Collins as its first director of philanthropy. This is a new position for the organization that will further its statewide strategy to save land that supports Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation.

Collins will combine her professional experience and passion for Florida to lead strategic fundraising initiatives that support the organization’s mission. She hopes to serve a greater purpose and to build meaningful relationships in philanthropic support to protect Florida’s natural beauty for future generations.

“Sarah will now combine her deep love for Florida with her skillset and lead Conservation Florida’s philanthropy team,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “She brings a high level of energy, skill, and passion to our team and we are thrilled to have her join us in the mission to save the wild places that we all love.”

Born and raised in Tallahassee, she earned her undergraduate degree in fine arts and master’s in Integrated Marketing and Communication Management from Florida State University. As a graduate and former employee of FSU, Collins is delighted to share her love for the garnet and gold with her family members who reside in the city.

“Bringing more than 10 years of professional experience in fundraising and solicitation strategy from my previous roles with FSU and the Economic Development Council, I’m thrilled to continue serving Florida in this capacity now through Conservation Florida,” said Collins.

Her family has treasured Florida’s natural wonders for six generations. They enjoy sharing stories and memories about wild Florida spanning the many years of their history in the state.

Growing up, Collins spent countless days exploring the woods and coast of the Big Bend area of Florida. From turkey tracking with her dad and sister to wondering through the Apalachicola National Forest to scalloping and fishing on Live Oak Island — a love for nature is in her blood.

In her new role as Conservation Florida’s director of philanthropy, she is dedicated to showing how giving back, at any level, can instill a lasting impact on our state’s irreplaceable resources.

“As a nature enthusiast, my hope for the role is to ensure that not only my own children — Fisher, Olivia, and Rory; but, that coming generations can also experience the same beautiful state I grew up in,” said Collins.

Welcome Sarah Collins by making a donation today!

Help Conservation Florida give her a warm welcome and donate through the link below or contact her via email, sarah@conserveflorida.org.

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About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida 4/28/21 Conservation Florida 4/28/21

Conservation Florida Working to Protect Ranch in Florida Wildlife Corridor

Conservation Florida has entered into a contract to buy a conservation easement on a 1000-acre working cattle ranch and critical piece of the Florida Wildlife Corridor in Highlands County.

Conservation Florida announces another piece of wild Florida under contract for conservation

LAKE PLACID, Fla., April 28, 2021 - Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation and partner in the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, has entered into a contract to buy a conservation easement on a 1000-acre working cattle ranch in Highlands County.

The ranch is located within the boundaries of Conservation Florida’s H2O: Headwaters to Okeechobee initiative, a land conservation initiative that’s all about water in the Northern Everglades. This vital and vibrant landscape contains historic cattle ranches, sweeping vistas, and critical ecosystems. Because it forms the headwaters of the Greater Everglades, its protection is vital for the future of Florida’s freshwater supply.

More, the property sits as a critical piece of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide ecological greenway connecting the Everglades to the Panhandle.

This incredible property encompasses a mosaic of natural habitats. Towering longleaf pine covers swaths of wire grass and saw palmettos. The area’s dominating flatwoods intertwine with native grasses and rare plant species to create a classic example of Florida’s natural complexity.

“Primarily composed of native range, longleaf pine flatwoods, cutthroat seep and wetlands, this unbelievable ranch is home to an abundance of documented native and endangered wildlife,” said Adam Bass, Conservation Florida’s director of conservation. “Florida panthers, black bears, gopher tortoises, and rare grasses found only in Florida...this property’s protection will be a home run.”

At a time when Florida’s last, large ranchlands are under intense development pressures, Conservation Florida has made ranchlands in the Northern Everglades and the Florida Wildlife Corridor a top protection priority.

The property is another Conservation Florida project that exemplifies the trend of multi-purpose land conservation. The organization uses this strategy to protect land that meets many needs including agricultural production, water quality, rare and endangered species protection, and other factors – like habitat connectivity and building a statewide wildlife corridor.

“The protection benefits of this ranch will extend well beyond its boundaries. We know that the long-term health of the entire Greater Everglades Ecosystem and the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor hinges on conserving lands like these,” said Traci Deen, CEO of Conservation Florida.

With the property under contract, Conservation Florida and its partners are seeking grants and donations to help buy a conservation easement, which is a binding legal agreement that permanently protects the conservation values of the land.

"We’re pleased and honored to work with this landowner to meet their conservation goals,” said Bass. “That’s what Conservation Florida is here for. We’re looking forward to protecting this piece of wild Florida together with the landowner and our partners.”

About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida 4/22/21 Conservation Florida 4/22/21

Conservation Florida's Important Mission to be Featured by GiveVisuals

GiveVisuals will be making a short, free video by professional filmmakers featuring Conservation Florida’s important work.

Conservation Florida selected for Video Storytelling Opportunity

ORLANDO, Florida  (April 23, 2021)—We’re excited to share the news that Conservation Florida was selected by GiveVisuals because of its success in protecting natural and agricultural landscapes throughout Florida. Thanks to this generous opportunity, the organization will receive creative tools and assistance creating a video that shows the significance of protecting land for future generations.

The video will be created by volunteers from around the world who work with GiveVisuals to create impactful visual stories. The purpose of Conservation Florida’s video is to help raise awareness, advocates, and resources for the organization’s land conservation programs.

GiveVisuals is a nonprofit organization that provides emerging charities with the free opportunity to expand the impact of their good works in service to others by fostering a network of creative people who want to share their visual storytelling talents.

“This is exactly what we need, said Cyndi Fernandez, Conservation Florida’s associate director. “With more people than ever moving to Florida, we need to show the benefits of conservation and what’s at stake if we don’t protect our ecosystems.”

Florida couple, Andy and Ashley McEntire, founded GiveVisuals in 2018 to bring accessibility to professional filmmaking to more nonprofits. The video is expected to be completed in the fall and will allow Conservation Florida to reach new audiences and communicate the urgent need to work together to conserve Florida.

“We love being able to give back in such a meaningful way. Stories have so much power, and we are honored to be able to help tell the story of Conservation Florida,” said Shannon Abitbol, Executive Director of GiveVisuals.

Read more about why support for our conservation efforts is needed more now than ever. For the love of Florida.

About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida 4/16/21 Conservation Florida 4/16/21

Conservation Florida Announces ‘This Brand Saves Land’ Corporate Partnership Opportunity

“This Brand Saves Land is a new and exciting way for businesses to be involved in our shared Floridian community and display their support for land conservation directly to their customers. The combined power from corporate partnership will energize and increase our protection of the natural beauty of Florida for generations to come.”

Conservation Florida seeks business partners interested in joining forces for the protection of natural and agricultural landscapes throughout Florida.

ORLANDO, Florida  (April 19, 2021) — Conservation Florida, a statewide leader in land conservation, launches its This Brand Saves Land™ corporate philanthropy campaign. It offers a mutually beneficial partnership opportunity to businesses whose values align with the protection of natural and agricultural landscapes throughout Florida. This initiative benefits Conservation Florida’s statewide conservation mission, its partners, and Florida land and water all in one fell swoop. Businesses that sign up for the program can support land conservation in a meaningful way and showcase their company values to consumers.

Do you love Florida? Us, too!

This cause-related marketing opportunity is right for businesses that have a strong affinity for what keeps Florida Florida, including native plants and wildlife, freshwater, wildlife corridors, family farms and ranches, Florida’s economy, and nature-based recreation. Conservation Florida tackles projects that have a global significance and protect some of the rarest habitats and species in the world. These land protection successes have earned Conservation Florida a reputation for finding creative and common-sense approaches to land conservation.

Conservation Florida’s success has always been bolstered by partnerships. By partnering with businesses that share the same vision for Florida’s conservation future, Conservation Florida will expand its programs, its land protection pace, and propel the land conservancy to new conservation heights. This Brand Saves Land™ is a way for businesses to highlight their values, social responsibility, and how they are giving back to the community.

“This Brand Saves Land is a new and exciting way for businesses to be involved in our shared Floridian community and display their support for land conservation directly to their customers. The combined power from corporate partnership will energize and increase our protection of the natural beauty of Florida for generations to come.”

This Brand Saves Land™ is more than corporate philanthropy. It is a co-branding opportunity that demonstrates your business’s commitment to a healthy future for Florida. There are many ways to participate but pledging a percentage of annual sales, for example, would allow for your use of the This Brand Saves Land™ logo in accordance with the campaign's terms and conditions. The logo is customizable to fit each business’s preference.

The logos for This Brand Saves Land™ are customizable to reflect your brand’s unique products.

In an era of social responsibility, consumers make decisions based on a company’s social and environmental responsibility. Cause-related marketing campaigns have been shown to directly drive sales and boost a company’s public image. There is growing evidence that consumers will choose a brand affiliated with a cause. A Cone Cause Evolution Survey found that, when cost and quality are equal, 87% of consumers would switch to a brand that supports a cause. The study also found that 61% of consumers are willing to try a new product if it's related to a cause.

Businesses that partner with Conservation Florida sign on to the larger goals of the campaign. All corporate partners who take part in the This Brand Saves Land™ campaign will help generate publicity for the campaign, which will amplify the campaign’s reach and impact by creating awareness of the campaign and benefit participating organizations.

This Brand Saves Land™ is a bold step for land conservation efforts in Florida. Businesses that link arms via This Brand Saves Land™ will play a vital part in protecting Florida’s future. Join us!

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Conservation Florida 4/16/21 Conservation Florida 4/16/21

Traci Deen to lead Alliance of Florida Land Trusts

Conservation Florida’s CEO Traci Deen was elected president of the Alliance of Florida Land Trusts at their annual meeting held in April. She promises to bring to the group a spirit of collaboration and respect along with her background in advocacy, environmental law, and land conservation.

Conservation Florida CEO takes on new leadership role to help save more land in Florida.

ORLANDO, Florida  (April 16, 2021) — Conservation Florida’s CEO Traci Deen was elected president of the Alliance of Florida Land Trusts at their annual meeting held in April. She promises to bring to the group a spirit of collaboration and respect along with her background in advocacy, environmental law, and land conservation.

Finding strength in numbers, the Alliance of Florida Land Trusts is a network of over 22 land trusts working to protect Florida’s environmentally sensitive lands, natural areas, and public health. The alliance was formed to improve communication between land protection groups and be a unified voice advocating for conservation funding at the state level.

The Alliance of Florida Land Trusts also aims to share news updates among Florida’s conservation community, facilitate coalition building to address land conservation issues, and train volunteers to effectively advocate for land conservation measures.

The position of president was previously held by Tom Kay, executive director of the Alachua Conservation Trust. Other executive officers include, Christine Johnson as vice president, Kevin McGorty as treasurer, and Shane Wellendorf as secretary. Joining them as member at large is Rebecca Perry. Johnson is president of the Conservation Foundation for the Gulf Coast. McGorty and Wellendorf both hold leadership positions at Tall Timbers Land Conservancy as the director and conservation coordinator respectively. Perry serves as the director of real estate and community conservation of the North Florida Land Trust.

Deen became CEO of Conservation Florida in 2017. Under her leadership, Conservation Florida has forged new partnerships, launched new landscape-scale land conservation initiatives, and protected over 8,400 acres of natural and agricultural land.

In her role as president of the Alliance of Florida Land Trusts, Deen will apply her energy, strategic thinking, and resourcefulness to help the group achieve its shared goals of improving communications among state conservation practitioners, advocating for meaningful conservation funding, and sustainable land protection solutions.

“What an honor to work with the dedicated, passionate members of the Alliance of Florida Land Trusts,” said Deen. “This is an exciting and critical moment for land conservation in Florida, and together, we are capable of achieving powerful results for our natural environment.”

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