FLORIDA’S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY GATHERS,
CELEBRATES ITS PURPOSE
February 28, 2020
From 4 to 6 pm on a beautiful 65-degree, clear sky afternoon, Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy members met at the Island Hotel Courtyard this past Sunday, February 23,2020. They munched on hors de oeuvres and enjoyed libations and one another’s good company.
Announcements were appreciatedly brief. President Rick Anthony warmly welcomed the nearly seventy in attendance. After introducing board members Vice-President Jim Wortham, Treasurer Sam Gibbs, Secretary Mandy Offerle, Katherine Dunlop, and Scott Dombrowski, Anthony remembered the late, and missed, past FNCC president Alan Pither, and thanked Dr. Paul Dietrich who guided the board through the strategic planning process.
Katherine Dunlop spoke of engagement. She announced the FNCC’s first Wildlife Cruise that will occur in early March and be guided by expert boatman and birder Captain Doug Maple. Further her engagement theme, Dunlop offered members several opportunities to be involved by helping clean the Trestle Trail of debris, downed limbs, and smilax. A full work crew signed up for Thursday’s event.
Treasurer Sam Gibbs informed the group of FNCC’s work toward accreditation, a lengthy but essential process. Assisting with the accreditation efforts are the University of Florida’s Levin School of Law professors and students. Gibbs presented Doris Hellerman with an oystercatcher replica, recognizing her for her generous donation of property along G Street, property integral to the Cedar Key’s efforts to create a living shoreline.
The members ensured the afternoon’s success. Allison Nelson and Karen Dombrowski functioned as charming t-shirts salespersons, Steve Priessman as amicable credit card manager, and Jeri Treat as welcoming cashier. FNCC increased its membership by nearly twenty individuals.
Most importantly, the nearly seventy in attendance celebrated the FNCC mission...its dedication to acquiring land in trust for preservation, conservation, and or public recreation. The group is living the mission.
