NFLT is featuring its Board Members and highlighting the great work they are doing within our organization and in the broader community.
Lisa Barton
Lisa Barton is a lifelong resident of Florida with an abiding interest in and support of the preservation of our beautiful natural surroundings. Lisa grew up in Gainesville where her father was a professor and graduated with a degree from the University of Florida. She then went on to pursue a master’s degree in psychology from George Mason University in Virginia.
For the past 26 years, Lisa has lived in Ponte Vedra Beach, where she’s been active in local philanthropic activities. She and her husband, Bill, have supported the North Florida Land Trust since its inception in 1999 and are Legacy Members. Lisa also serves on the Family Advisory Council for Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital.
Lisa is a Broker Associate with Keller Williams Atlantic Partners. She looks forward to helping protect and preserve Northeast Florida’s important natural land areas with her commitment to the North Florida Land Trust.
How long you have served on the board?
I joined the board in January 2021
What influenced you to join the NFLT Board?
My husband and I have been supporters of the NFLT for over 20 years. In fact, we were Bill McQuilkin’s neighbor and remember when he started the NFLT in his garage!
What excites you most about the direction of NFLT, and how will you contribute to it?
I am excited about how expansive the goals for the land trust have become and how we are able to leverage relationships with other organizations to really make a substantive change. I’m also very pleased with the professionalism and knowledge level of the Land Trust staff. We have a really impressive group of staff members who are committed to conservation and preservation AND they have the skills necessary to make a huge difference!
As you observe our local area, what is an issue affecting North Florida that concerns you? How do you think NFLT can help?
I am a real estate agent here in Northeast Florida so I see firsthand what happens when development goes on unchecked. People are moving to our area because of the lifestyle and natural beauty that surrounds us. I feel a real sense of urgency to preserve as much land as possible as quickly as possible. If we don’t put forth our very best effort right now, I’m afraid it will be too late to save critical areas which will reduce the quality of life for all of us.
What is something NFLT members, staff, and even other Board Members might be surprised to know about you?
I grew up in Gainesville, Florida where my father was a professor at the University. My three younger brothers and I used to catch snakes (rat snakes, corn snakes, and black racers). We would ‘”tame” the snakes and then sell them to our local pet store. I don’t scare very easily!
