NFLT was honored to have Land Trust Alliance CEO Ashley Demosthenes as this year’s keynote speaker. The Land Trust Alliance (LTA) is a national land conservation organization that empowers and mobilizes land trusts in communities across America to conserve land for the benefit of all. LTA works with more than one thousand land trusts nationwide to advance private land conservation and ensure that important landscapes are protected for generations to come.

“North Florida Land Trust is doing some excellent work—you are walking the walk and are a voice for land conservation,” said Demosthenes. “We all know the challenges of land conservation and protecting the lands that protect us against things like coastal flooding and storm surge. Input we receive from organizations like North Florida Land Trust helps us as we develop a comprehensive strategic planning initiative that will help us write the next chapter of land conservation in America.”

In 2025, NFLT protected over 18,000 acres of land across North Florida, bringing the total amount of land protected since the nonprofit’s inception in 1999 to more than 125,000. The lands safeguarded wildlife habitats and working lands and further connected the critical Ocala to Osceola (O2O) Wildlife Corridor. The organization grew its membership to more than 750 people, saw over 165 individuals join its volunteer projects, and released “Keeping North Florida Wild,” the organization’s 25th-anniversary book.

One of the properties NFLT was able to conserve was due to the efforts of Congressman Aaron Bean, this year’s recipient of the NFLT Conservation Champion Award. NFLT President and CEO Allison DeFoor reached out to Congressman Bean for assistance when NFLT was facing a deadline. Representative Bean and his team helped NFLT work with federal partners to complete a conservation easement on a 1,683-acre property near Olustee Battlefield Historic Park and adjacent to the Osceola National Forest.

“I texted Representative Bean and said, ‘we need some help’ and he got his team on it right away,” said DeFoor. “I am very appreciative of his commitment to what we do. It has made a big difference.”

“Government sometimes moves slowly, but North Florida Land Trust moves fast, and I am honored to have been a part of the urgency that saved this land,” said Congressman Bean. “All of us share a common vision that brings us together: to protect the swamps, forests, rivers, streams, and coastlines. It is best for the earth and the next generation, and it is definitely worth fighting for.”

This year’s Charlie Commander Land Conservation Award, named in honor of a longtime NFLT supporter and conservationist, was presented to Randy and Paula Ringhaver, the owners of Ring Power. Together, the company and the Ringhaver family donated a 1,732-acre conservation easement in St. Johns County known as DeerCreek Plantation to NFLT.

The Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation received this year’s Partner of the Year Award for its support of NFLT. The organization has helped fund critical due diligence work to advance land protection across the region. The Advocate of the Year Award was given to Guy Marwick, who, through his leadership at the Felburn Foundation, has been a longtime and generous supporter of NFLT.

The NFLT Presidential Award was given to two people this year: Dr. Wayne Wood and Mark Middlebrook. Dr. Wood, a renowned Jacksonville historian, author, and preservationist, was honored for his deep commitment to the community. Dr. Wood helped facilitate one of NFLT’s largest property gifts and has helped preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of our region. Middlebrook, who passed away earlier this year, was honored for his work with the Preservation Project Jacksonville and the Timucuan Parks Foundation. Middlebrook’s work protected more than 50,000 acres across Jacksonville and built one of the largest urban park systems in the nation.

NFLT’s Salty Soiree Committee was presented with the Volunteers of the Year Award. Janyce Dawkins, Becky Grimes, Pam Hart, Cynthia Jones-Jackson, Connie McDaniel, Lyn Pannone, and Sally Perez put together a fundraiser for NFLT in Amelia Island in October of 2025. The sold-out event at Fort Clinch State Park welcomed more than 150 guests to celebrate conservation and raise money for NFLT. The event will become an annual event with the next Salty Soiree scheduled for October 25, 2026.

NFLT also announced a new fundraising campaign to add four more acres to Bogey Creek Preserve, its public preserve located at 5500 Cedar Point Rd. within the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. The nonprofit must raise $150,000 by June 1 to preserve the property.

NFLT would like to thank the sponsors of the Annual Meeting and Celebration. Black Bear Sponsors included Dream Finders Homes, Eastland, the Lisa Barton Team Ponte Vedra Beach, and Wetland Preserve Conservation Compatible Forestry. Judith Beaubouef, Lory Doolittle, Ann and Keith Holt, and The Players were Bobcat Sponsors. Gratitude is also extended to all Manatee, Gopher Tortoise and Marsh Rabbit Sponsors.

About North Florida Land Trust

North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements.  NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.

The post North Florida Land Trust Recognizes Conservation Champions and a Year of Preservation Successes appeared first on North Florida Land Trust.

This year’s keynote speaker is Land Trust Alliance CEO Ashley Demosthenes, who joined the national organization in early 2025. Demosthenes previously worked with The Nature Conservancy and served as the CEO of Lowcountry Land Trust in Charleston, South Carolina, for 10 years. Demosthenes will discuss conservation on the national level, including trends the organization is seeing across the country. The Land Trust Alliance serves as a voice for the land trust community and supports approximately 1,000 accredited land trusts around the country by serving as a national leader in policy, standards, education, and training. NFLT is one of four accredited land trusts in Florida.

General admission tickets to the annual meeting are $125 for NFLT members and $150 for non-members. Guests can register for the event online at https://nflt.org/2026/01/14/nflt-annual-meeting-sunday-march-22/. Sponsorships are available at levels ranging from the $20,000 Roseate Spoonbill level to the $500 Marsh Rabbit level, and all include event tickets and other benefits. Details can also be found online, or sponsors can contact Lee Anderson Louy at LAndersonLouy@NFLT.org or Brenda Lynch at BLynch@NFLT.org.

About North Florida Land Trust

North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements.  NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.

The post North Florida Land Trust’s Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration is set for March 22 appeared first on North Florida Land Trust.

Board Chair Lisa Barton reviewed the list of accomplishments for 2024, which included conserving nearly 6,000 acres of land worth $21.3 million. The nonprofit raised $1.62 million to support its mission, increased the number of NFLT members, expanded its staff to 18, and was named to the Jacksonville Business Journal’s list of Best Places to Work. NFLT also bolstered its stewardship department by adding several tools to help manage the land, including a specialized tractor, a 16-foot boat, and a fire truck they named Lola-D after Delores Barr Weaver, who provided funding for the purchase of the equipment through the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund.

Guests were treated to the keynote speech from Dr. Johnnetta Cole. Cole spoke about her family, including her great-grandfather, Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida’s first black millionaire and the founder of historic American Beach. She also talked about her older sister, MaVynee Betsch, known as “The Beach Lady.”  Betsch was an environmental advocate who spent her inheritance on environmental causes. She stood firmly against developers in American Beach, where she was instrumental in saving and protecting the tallest dune, NaNa Dune, which was added to the National Park Service properties. She said she and her sister were taught that land is not just property, but a place of stories and dreams.

“When I reflect on the work that organizations like North Florida Land Trust do, I am clear that I have the responsibility to do the work like the Beach Lady did and that NFLT does,” said Cole. “God ain’t making no more land. Our responsibility is to guard the land that God has already made. The urgency of now is undeniable. Once the land is lost, it is gone. There is no such thing as a second chance. There is work to be done. Each of us has a responsibility to do the work to make sure our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will have the land and the environment that we are blessed to enjoy.”

The Annual Meeting provided an opportunity for NFLT to recognize those who have contributed to making their mission possible. President and CEO Allison DeFoor presented former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner with the Conservation Legacy Award. DeFoor said he met with Renner during his tenure and asked him to help fund conservation efforts in the state. Renner allocated $400 million in the budget and then defended it to ensure natural spaces in Florida are preserved.

“When I was Speaker of the House, we were able to increase funding for Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, and we made sure the allocated funding went into the environment,” said Renner. “The need we have is so substantial. We must preserve our state. Land conservation is not always a sexy platform for politicians who are constantly changing. I suggest everyone reach out to your elected officials to make sure the environment remains a priority.”

DeFoor also announced the NFLT Partners of the Year, Florida State Senator Jennifer Bradley and Florida House Representative Sam Garrison. Neither was able to attend the event. DeFoor told the crowd about how instrumental the two were in helping to pass a conservation referendum in Clay County, which passed with 75 percent of the vote.

“We could never have gotten there without the help of Senator Bradley and Representative Garrison. We are very grateful for their help in moving these conservation efforts forward,” said DeFoor.

DeFoor presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Keith and Suzanne Langenberg for their environmental stewardship work at Bogey Creek Preserve. DeFoor called them the watchdogs, representatives and the boots on the ground for the nonprofit’s public preserve in Jacksonville. Finally, DeFoor named Jack Thornton as the recipient of the Charlie Commander Land Conservation Award, which is named in honor of Charlie Commander, a longtime NFLT supporter and conservationist. Thornton and his family donated 400 acres on Amelia Island to NFLT. The land, now known as the Thornton Family Preserve, is located near Egan’s Creek and Fort Clinch State Park. Thornton is the second recipient of the award, which recognizes visionary landowners dedicated to protecting and preserving the North Florida landscape.

The event concluded with a call for everyone to join NFLT in its mission through membership, donations, estate planning, and the protection of land. For more information on how to get involved, visit nflt.org.

NFLT extends gratitude to all its sponsors. This year’s Black Bear Sponsors were Dream Finders Homes, First Horizon Bank, the Lisa Barton Team Ponte Vedra Beach, and Wetland Preserve Conservation Compatible Forestry. The Commander Family, Cogent Bank, Lory Doolittle, Pam and Joe Hart, Preston and Joan Haskell, and Rick and Faith Hoffman were Bobcat Sponsors.

About North Florida Land Trust

North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements.  NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.

The post North Florida Land Trust’s Annual Meeting Celebrated Conservation Milestones and Environmental Heroes appeared first on North Florida Land Trust.

“All of our award winners this year have played a big part in saving and preserving Florida’s natural spaces, and we greatly appreciate all of their efforts,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “We could not do what we do without the support of people like Paul Renner, Jennifer Bradley, Sam Garrison, the dedication to conservation from landowners like Jack Thornton, and the stewardship of the land from those like Keith and Suzanne Langenberg. We appreciate all of their dedication to the mission of protecting natural spaces because it is now or never.”

Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, who served as the leader of the House from 2022-2024, will be presented with the Conservation Legacy Award. The NFLT Partner of the Year Award will be given to Florida Senator Jennifer Bradley and Florida House of Representative Sam Garrison, and the Volunteer of the Year Award will be bestowed on Keith and Suzanne Langenberg for their work as NFLT’s Bogey Creek Preserve stewards.

The Charlie Commander Land Conservation Award will be given to Jack Thornton. Thornton and his family donated nearly 400 acres on Amelia Island to NFLT to forever preserve the land near Egan’s Creek and Fort Clinch State Park, now named the Thornton Family Preserve. Thornton is the second recipient of this award, which was established last year in honor of Charlie Commander, who passed away in 2023. Commander left behind an enduring legacy and lifelong dedication to conservation. The award was created to recognize other visionary landowners dedicated to protecting and preserving the North Florida landscape.

NFLT’s Annual Meeting and Award Celebration brings the community together to reflect on the work of the nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to protecting natural landscapes and to celebrate conservation milestones achieved in its 25th anniversary year. The event will begin at noon and includes a Mimosa reception, brunch, and a program.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, an American anthropologist, former college president, and museum director. She has received many awards and accolades throughout her impressive career, including the National Humanities Medal in 2021 by the National Endowment for the Humanities (https://www.neh.gov/award/johnnetta-b-cole), which she received for her work to advance the American understanding of Black culture and racial inclusion. Dr. Cole’s family also has a notable legacy. Her great-grandfather, Abraham Lincoln Lewis, founded American Beach on Amelia Island, which was established in 1935 to give African Americans access to a beach during segregation.

Tickets for the event and sponsorship opportunities are available. For information on sponsoring NFLT’s Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration or to purchase an individual ticket, visit nflt.org/2025/01/01/2025-nflt-annual-meeting-sunday-march-30/ or contact Lee Anderson Louy at LAndersonLouy@NFLT.org or Brenda Lynch at BLynch@NFLT.org.

About North Florida Land Trust

North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements.  NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.

The post Honorees Announced for North Florida Land Trust’s Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration appeared first on North Florida Land Trust.

The keynote speaker for this year’s event is Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, an author, anthropologist and educator who served as the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and was the first African American female president of Spellman College. She is also a great-granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida’s first black millionaire and the founder of historic American Beach, which he established in 1935 to give African Americans access to a beach during segregation. Dr. Cole is also a descendant of Anna Kingsley, the African wife of plantation owner Zephaniah Kingsley who owned Kingsley Plantation.

General admission tickets to the annual meeting are $150 per person. Sponsors will receive tickets to the event as part of a sponsorship package, along with other benefits. Available sponsorships range from the $25,000 Roseate Spoonbill level to the $500 Marsh Rabbit level. For more information on sponsorships or to purchase tickets to the event, visit nflt.org/2025/01/01/2025-nflt-annual-meeting-sunday-march-30/ or contact Lee Anderson Louy at LAndersonLouy@NFLT.org or Brenda Lynch at BLynch@NFLT.org.

About North Florida Land Trust

North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements.  NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.

The post Tickets are Now on Sale for North Florida Land Trust’s Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration appeared first on North Florida Land Trust.