CONSERVEFLORIDA.ORG Springtime in the Forest BOARD OF DIRECTORS By Cyndi Fernandez Lisa Gearen President Celeste Shitama Vice President From the President David Pais There’s nothing like a hike in the atop an old railroad grade, the native the District, led the group. He pointed Secretary woods with friends to ease some of the plant experts among us called out the out the box culverts (aka water can- As I write this, CTF has welcomed to its end. These projects, located all over the Barry Rutenberg stress and worry of our hectic lives. I names of nearby trees. “That’s sweet nons) jetting out of deep trenches on Treasurer team our new executive director, Traci state, will protect thousands of acres of gum,” chimed CTF intern Emily Hes- Jeff Hardesty had the good fortune to spend some either side of the road. Water can gush Deen, and our new director of conserva- Florida's wild and working landscapes terman, “… the one with star shaped Linda Jones time with a few of your fellow CTF through them after a rain event at high tion, Butch Parks, both of whom joined when they are completed, adding to the leaves.” The facts fluttered like a pass- Ed Montgomery supporters earlier this year at the Silver rates. Flow rates of up to 90+ cubic us - or tried to - the week that Irma ap- 5,085 acres we successfully protected KC Nayfield Springs Forest Conservation Area, and ing swallowtail butterfly. It’s kind of a feet per second have been recorded at proached Florida. It was interesting and in 2017. Jane West I remember it like it was yesterday. “weedy tree.” Its amber resin is medici- the State Road 40 bridge in the last heartwarming to work with them as we Appreciation, adaptation and resilience: We couldn’t have wished for a more nal. That’s swamp chestnut oak. “It’s a couple of years. He said that’s “about adapted our plans and tested our or- words to live by as we look ahead. I hope ADVISORY BOARD picture-perfect spring day. Gathered at gorgeous tree with big acorns that are like a first-magnitude spring.” ganizational resilience. An unexpected we have the chance to tell you more at Fay Baird the parking area off SR 326, an enthu- tasty to wildlife.” Naturalists Marcie Clutter and Jim Steve Beeland gift was that they, and Cyndi Fernandez our 2018 Annual Meeting, which will take siastic group of nine huddled over JB We all stopped to inspect a high- Buckner kept the native plant name David Carr (our newly-promoted assistant direc- place in the spring. Until then, as always, Miller’s LIDAR map. After much sci- tech well on the side of the trail. A game going. The diverse hammock Peggy Carr tor), got to learn a lot about each other we are grateful to serve you through our entific chatter about the hydrogeologic solar-powered gizmo on top of the well contained a dizzying array of plants Carol Lippincott in a very short and challenging period work of saving Florida's wild and working characteristics of the property, Guy transmits data to scientists at the St. with fantastical names – ironwood, Anne MacKay of time. They then made their first out- lands forever. Marwick, an ardent environmentalist, Johns River Water Management Dis- dragonwood, crookedwood, devil- Governor Buddy MacKay brought us back to the reason we were trict (District). It is one of many such wood, innocence, resurrection fern, ing together to the Partnership for Gulf Reed Noss all there – “Let’s walk,” he said. wells used to monitor the level of water sparkleberry, deer tongue. Coast Land Conservation’s 8th annual Thank you for your continued Jennifer Springfield With that, we hit the trail. As we in the Floridan Aquifer. When Jim spotted a passerine nest conference in Pensacola, FL. All three support, Hans Tanzler III ambled down a shady dirt road built JB, a land resource specialist with that he determined had been modi- appreciated the opportunity to connect Carlton Ward, Jr. fied by an arboreal golden mouse, I and brainstorm with other conservation Richard White was sure these were either the most Kathleen Williams groups at that meeting. observant naturalists I’d ever met, or Terry Zinn, Esq. In the year since I last wrote a mes- ~ A group they were totally messing with me. sage for our newsletter, the world and Please feel free to reach me at STAFF explores Either way, it was easy to daydream CTF have experienced tremendous Traci Deen, Esq. the Silver [email protected]. about a time when such an intimate Executive Director Springs For- change. In working with our profession- est Conser- knowledge of nature was integral to We have a very bright future, and we’d Butch Parks al staff over the last couple of weeks, vation Area like you to be an active part of it. Director of Conservation near Ocala, our survival. we have started to weave the con- Cynthia Fernandez Florida. We paused to admire a lovely oak structs of appreciation, adaptation, and Assistant Director branch that crossed the path. We resilience into our thinking and into our marveled at the brilliant green of the new culture. CONTACT INFO spring leaves shimmering overhead. Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc. There are many positive signs on our We walked along the dry creek bed, 1731 NW 6th Street, Suite D and Emily told us everything we ever horizon. As we have successfully been Gainesville, FL 32609 re-accredited this year, we are also re- www.conserveflorida.org wanted to know about frogs. ceiving valuable support from the Land 352-376-4770 We made one final stop to see a huge cypress tree before parting ways. Trust Alliance in the form of enhanced An accredited land trust. It was a wonderful morning. The coaching and support for communi- The mission of the Conservation Trust for Florida is to work with landowners to save Florida’s wild and group’s knowledge, good humor, and cation materials. Our Land Protec- working landscapes for future generations. passion for protecting our natural tion Committee recently approved an world gives me hope for the future. I impressive portfolio of projects, with hope you’ll join us in the future when more proposals to come before year’s CARLTON WARD, JR. we venture out onto other lands that Photo by CTF has helped protect. CONSERVATION TRUST for FLORIDA THE POST FALL 2017 | PAGE 1 CONSERVEFLORIDA.ORG Springtime in the Forest BOARD OF DIRECTORS By Cyndi Fernandez Lisa Gearen President Celeste Shitama Vice President From the President David Pais There’s nothing like a hike in the atop an old railroad grade, the native the District, led the group. He pointed Secretary woods with friends to ease some of the plant experts among us called out the out the box culverts (aka water can- As I write this, CTF has welcomed to its end. These projects, located all over the Barry Rutenberg stress and worry of our hectic lives. I names of nearby trees. “That’s sweet nons) jetting out of deep trenches on Treasurer team our new executive director, Traci state, will protect thousands of acres of gum,” chimed CTF intern Emily Hes- Jeff Hardesty had the good fortune to spend some either side of the road. Water can gush Deen, and our new director of conserva- Florida's wild and working landscapes terman, “… the one with star shaped Linda Jones time with a few of your fellow CTF through them after a rain event at high tion, Butch Parks, both of whom joined when they are completed, adding to the leaves.” The facts fluttered like a pass- Ed Montgomery supporters earlier this year at the Silver rates. Flow rates of up to 90+ cubic us - or tried to - the week that Irma ap- 5,085 acres we successfully protected KC Nayfield Springs Forest Conservation Area, and ing swallowtail butterfly. It’s kind of a feet per second have been recorded at proached Florida. It was interesting and in 2017. Jane West I remember it like it was yesterday. “weedy tree.” Its amber resin is medici- the State Road 40 bridge in the last heartwarming to work with them as we Appreciation, adaptation and resilience: We couldn’t have wished for a more nal. That’s swamp chestnut oak. “It’s a couple of years. He said that’s “about adapted our plans and tested our or- words to live by as we look ahead. I hope ADVISORY BOARD picture-perfect spring day. Gathered at gorgeous tree with big acorns that are like a first-magnitude spring.” ganizational resilience. An unexpected we have the chance to tell you more at Fay Baird the parking area off SR 326, an enthu- tasty to wildlife.” Naturalists Marcie Clutter and Jim Steve Beeland gift was that they, and Cyndi Fernandez our 2018 Annual Meeting, which will take siastic group of nine huddled over JB We all stopped to inspect a high- Buckner kept the native plant name David Carr (our newly-promoted assistant direc- place in the spring. Until then, as always, Miller’s LIDAR map. After much sci- tech well on the side of the trail. A game going. The diverse hammock Peggy Carr tor), got to learn a lot about each other we are grateful to serve you through our entific chatter about the hydrogeologic solar-powered gizmo on top of the well contained a dizzying array of plants Carol Lippincott in a very short and challenging period work of saving Florida's wild and working characteristics of the property, Guy transmits data to scientists at the St.