Greenprinting is defined as a strategic planning process used by communities for land conservation and green space mapping. It is an adaptable, collaborative, strategic approach that reveals the range of benefits nature provides to a community and suggests ways that a community can protect or enhance those benefits.

We began our Greenprinting journey by partnering with Nassau County to develop the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program. We met with elected officials, conducted surveys to get public input, and held community meetings before establishing a plan that identified, ranked, and assessed conservation lands for acquisition and management. The community then voted on a referendum to adopt and fund the plan, which passed with 68% of the vote. The success of this effort created a blueprint that we used in a similar initiative in Clay County. The Clay County Land Conservation Referendum passed with 73% of the vote. We have since assisted Highlands and Citrus Counties with their Greenprinting efforts.

With the successes in these counties, we developed Common Ground ~ A Land Conservation Guide for Local Governments. It is a practical, step-by-step roadmap for communities interested in creating Greenprints. We first presented Common Ground at the Florida Association of Counties Annual Conference in June 2025 and more recently shared our strategy and the Common Ground guide with our peers at the Land Trust Alliance annual conference, RALLY, in September.

So, what is the Greenprinting process?

Once local government asks for our assistance, our first step is to engage with elected officials and community leaders to hear their perspective; how they value the public benefits that derive from conservation lands, and how strong is their desire to protect them. The goal is for the community to make a fully informed decision on what its future will look like. We then meet with Subject Matter Experts, knowledgeable about the community, its needs, goals, and resources. We need to know what is important to the people who live there and what they want to protect. Whether it be outdoor recreation, cultural and historic resources, farms and ranches, storm protection, flood control, aquifer recharge, water quality improvement, or buffering military bases from encroachment.

Next, we define the conservation values by translating the community’s priorities into clearly defined conservation values. After that, we apply science-based analysis. We map the locations of resources that support conservation values and assess the significance of the land.

Most importantly, we engage the community by conducting public interviews and polls, both in-person and online. We work to reach much of the community, including those who might not be available or willing to attend public meetings. This step is critical as it validates what we heard from the experts and the elected officials.

Finally, we develop our strategic recommendations and provide communities and local governments with clear, actionable guidance on how best to protect conservation values and meet community goals.

Local land conservation programs are typically established through voter referenda. This is because funding for the conservation programs is generally considered “nice-to-have” rather than a necessity. Commissioners must ensure the funding does not negatively impact core services. Approval through a referendum ensures the public has approved the additional funding and provides the strongest possible public mandate. Greenprinting prior to the referendum educates the voters and the elected officials, generates a model program to be implemented, recommends project evaluation criteria, and operating principles. These elements instill confidence and trust in the program so that approval becomes more likely. We also suggest holding the referendum during a general election cycle to see a high turnout, so decisions are made by a majority of voters. Conservation programs tend to be something communities want; in fact, since 1999, 92 of the 109 referenda put to voters have passed with over 64% of the vote in favor.

So, what does Greenprinting mean for the community?

It means communities are deciding their conservation future by taking a proactive approach. They are deciding which lands matter most, why they matter, and how they will be cared for now and for generations to come.

Once voters approve adding a conservation program, local governments can begin evaluating which properties to acquire for conservation and how to use and care for them. The local governments use the Greenprinting information, recommendations, and project criteria, to evaluate properties based on what is important to the community, like water quality, wildlife habitat protection or recreational public space. Having a well-thought-out strategic conservation plan accommodates the inevitable growth while preserving the attributes that make it livable. It empowers the community to become a better place to live now and for generations to come.

Explore our interactive map to see which Florida counties already have land conservation programs.

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NFLT and the City of Fernandina Beach recently renewed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together for conservation. Per the agreement, both parties identify properties of mutual interest for conservation, and each contributes funding towards the acquisition. The funding from NFLT comes from the Amelia Forever Fund, which was established in 2019 to acquire remaining natural spaces on Amelia Island.

“It was great that we could hit the ground running after restarting our partnership with the City of Fernandina Beach to find and protect property for future generations,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “Egans Creek Greenway is an amazing community asset and adding land will increase the ecosystem benefits including providing a wildlife corridor that is uninhibited by development. Now these properties will remain in their natural state forever.”

Sherry Quattlebaum, who had a dual career as a schoolteacher and a real estate professional, had acquired the property in the early 2000s. She decided to donate the land she owned along Egans Creek as part of her estate planning. After some discussions with others about how to proceed, Quattlebaum determined working with NFLT was the best option.

“Over the years, I have seen articles about the land trust’s work and felt that it was advantageous to work with them to donate the land to the city,” said Sherry Quattlebaum. “The land is located within an area that is also a wildlife corridor, and my hope was it would become a continuation of the greenway. The people at NFLT have been wonderful to work with, especially Ramesh (NFLT Director of Conservation Acquisitions). He has been exceptionally cooperative to help this come together.”

The Quattlebaum property is almost entirely wetlands buffering Egans Creek. Ms. Quattlebaum donated the land to the City of Fernandina Beach through NFLT to ensure it remained natural and could be an amenity to the residents of Fernandina Beach.

“We are honored to accept the Quattlebaum Property and grateful to Ms. Quattlebaum for recognizing the importance of preserving this land for our community,” said City Manager Sarah Campbell. “We also appreciate the North Florida Land Trust’s partnership in making this conservation effort possible. Together, these efforts will help protect the natural character of this property, its wetlands and Egans Creek, while creating a lasting legacy for the residents of Fernandina Beach. This is truly a gift that will benefit generations to come.”

With funding from the Amelia Forever Fund, the City of Fernandina Beach, and a large donation from a private funder on Amelia Island, NFLT helped protect the one-acre Pineland Holdings property, which consists of uplands with direct frontage on Sadler Road and connects to Egans Creek Greenway. Its location and characteristics made it a target for development, but the owner chose to protect it for future generations by selling it at a discount for conservation to NFLT and the City of Fernandina Beach.

“We’re very thankful the North Florida Land Trust worked with us to make this happen in such a positive way,” said John Adler, owner of Pineland Holding Company, LLC. “The Land Trust’s care for conservation is so important to keeping the wonderful natural character of Fernandina Beach. We applaud the organization and the people who work for it.”

Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway is a protected area of over 300 acres that runs north to south along Egans Creek. It is an ecological and community asset that is open to the public as an undeveloped park for passive recreational use. It includes a network of trails, benches and interpretative displays and supports a wide range of wildlife including alligators, snakes, marsh rabbits, and many birds, which can be enjoyed from a distance.

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.

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“We are deeply grateful for this generous gift and honored to accept it in support of conservation in Nassau County,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “Partners like this anonymous donor make it possible for us to continue protecting pieces of old Florida. These natural spaces are irreplaceable, and once they are gone, they are gone forever.”

The anonymous donation was made to NFLT in memory of an individual whose identity was not disclosed to the nonprofit. At the donor’s request, the gift will be used for conservation in Nassau County. The $1 million contribution will strengthen NFLT’s ability to move quickly on future preservation projects and help protect important natural lands before opportunities are lost.

The gift comes amid renewed momentum for conservation in Nassau County. Last Tuesday, the Fernandina Beach City Commission unanimously approved a new memorandum of understanding with NFLT, renewing a partnership that expired in 2023. The agreement identifies parcels of mutual interest and commits both parties to contribute funding toward their acquisition. NFLT’s funding will come from the Amelia Forever Fund, while the City’s contribution will come from a similar donor-supported fund. Under the previous agreement, NFLT helped conserve several parcels that were ultimately transferred to City ownership.

Protecting land in Nassau and surrounding counties has been the focus of NFLT’s mission for more than 27 years. All told, NFLT has protected more than 1,247 acres on or immediately adjacent to Amelia Island, and 6,281 acres in Nassau County as a whole. The nonprofit is working to conserve two more properties by year-end that will further community conservation goals on Amelia Island in Nassau County.

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.

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“This is a significant property for connectivity within the O2O, and strengthens the regional conservation network,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “We’re excited about what this means for wildlife, water resources, and the long-term protection of Camp Blanding’s mission. Camp Blanding has been an outstanding conservation partner, helping ensure these lands remain protected in their natural state forever. The time to protect Florida’s natural lands is now.”

The property was previously owned by Rayonier Forest Resources, LP, which managed the land for timber production. The 860-acre tract lies adjacent to and south of NFLT’s Triangle Preserve and the Suwannee River Management Santa Fe Swamp Conservation Area. Its location expands a growing network of conserved lands that support wildlife movement, protect water quality, and strengthen climate resilience across Northeast Florida.

The land includes significant floodplain storage and provides natural buffers to wetlands associated with Prevatt Creek, a tributary that contributes to the headwaters of the Santa Fe River. Protecting this property helps maintain the ecological integrity of the watershed. The site also supports habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and black bear, all of which are well documented in the area. NFLT will own and manage the land, which has future potential for public access, including hiking trails and passive recreation opportunities.

The O2O Corridor is a 1.6-million-acre network of public and private lands connecting the Ocala and Osceola National Forests. The acquisition strengthens one of Florida’s most important connected landscapes and helps safeguard its ecological health for generations to come.

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.

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The Thornton family received a standing ovation for their generous donation of what is now known as the Thornton Family Preserve. The property is adjacent to Fort Clinch and runs about two miles between the state park and Egan’s Creek. The donation helps to protect the state park and ensures this land will remain in its natural state. Before the event, the Thornton family joined NFLT at a newly erected sign inside Fort Clinch State Park that recognizes the family’s contribution to conservation.

The Salty Soiree served as a fundraiser for NFLT. A $15,000 donation match was announced at the event, which was reached within the first hour and a half of the celebration. In total, $70,000 was raised to support NFLT’s conservation work in Northeast Florida at the event, which is expected to become an annual celebration of conservation on Amelia Island.

NFLT would like to extend special thanks to the event committee:

Janyce & Mark Dawkins
Randy & Allison DeFoor
Becky & Tommy Grimes
Pam & Joe Hart
Cynthia Jones-Jackson
Connie & Ken McDaniel
Lyn Pannone & Steve Nadeau
Sally & Tony Perez

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 and conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners, public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.

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