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.