Florida & the Caribbean Newsletter, Winter 2007
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| TPL is working to preserve a 415-acre property overlooking Maho Bay that will become part of Virgin Islands National Park. Photo: Steve Simonsen |
By just about any measure, the beaches on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands are among the most spectacular in the world. And with more than half the island covered by national parkland, they are among the most pristine as well.
Keeping them pristine got easier in September, when TPL signed a contract to buy and preserve a 415-acre property in the heart of St. John that ultimately will become part of Virgin Islands National Park. It would be the biggest preservation project on St. John since the national park was created through a gift from Laurence Rockefeller in 1956.
The property, known as Estate Maho Bay, will be added to the park when federal funds become available.
"Protection of this large property by TPL represents a very significant event for the V.I. National Park and for St. John. Development of this watershed would have had considerable impact on the natural and cultural resources of the park as well as residents and visitors to St. John," said Rafe Boulon, native St. John-ian and chief of resource management, V.I. National Park.
The property has more than a quarter-mile of beachfront on pristine Maho Bay and rises to almost 1,000 feet. Significant ruins from the Danish colonial era are located on the property, and it may also contain pre-Columbian cultural resources from the Taino Indian people, who inhabited St. John for 800 years before Christopher Columbus arrived. Just offshore are sea grass beds, green turtles and coral reef systems visited by thousands of people every year.
TPL has been working for years to acquire the property. In fact, John Garrison, director of TPL's Southwest Florida office and lead project manager on this acquisition, was interested in preserving the property before coming to TPL, when he was director of Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, a nonprofit on St. John dedicated to protecting the park.
"We have been at this—preserving Maho Bay—for more than five years. While there have been a lot of challenges, this represents great progress," Garrison says. "We have a lot of hurdles to go, and we have to raise millions of dollars to make this happen, and we're confident that Estate Maho Bay will be protected. A lot of credit goes to the property-owning heirs, who have been willing to work with us and gave us a significant bargain on the sale, as well as to the Friends group for their continued support."
"The preservation of Estate Maho Bay, one of the most popular and cherished areas within V.I. National Park, is a significant accomplishment that will benefit the people of St. John and all those who will be able to visit and enjoy this magnificent area," said Joe Kessler, president of Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.
If you would like to make a gift to help preserve Maho Bay, please contact Lisa Welch at (305) 667-0409 ext. 12 or lisa.welch@tpl.org.
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| TPL president Will Rogers at Castle Nugent Farms. Photo: Anne Nelson |
Castle Nugent Farms subject of federal study
Legislation authorizing the National Park Service to study the inclusion of 1,400-acre Castle Nugent Farms on the island of St. Croix within the National Park System was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 11.The bill was introduced by the Virgin Islands' Delegate in Congress, Donna M. Christensen, a steadfast supporter of conservation efforts in the Virgin Islands who was instrumental in moving the bill forward.
"Enactment of this bill represents a unique opportunity by which we can preserve and interpret this unique piece of Virgin Islands history and resources for the benefit of all Americans," says Delegate Christensen.
Castle Nugent Farms is the largest parcel of privately held land in the Virgin Islands and has been an operating cattle ranch for more than fifty years. The owners raise Senepol cattle, a unique breed developed on the island in the early 1900's.
The natural resources of the property include Caribbean dry forest, pristine coastal lands, and the largest and healthiest fringing coral reef in the Virgin Islands. Cultural resources include signs of pre-Columbian settlement and a large historic 17th Century Danish estate house.The property's owners have shown strong interest in seeing the land protected under the auspices of the National Park Service, in order to preserve the natural beauty of the area and provide an economic stimulus to the island's tourism. TPL is working with the owners, the National Park Service and Congresswoman Christensen to realize this dream.
"Our old estate has a unique, rich history as one of the longest ongoing cattle ranches in the West Indies," says Caroline Gasperi, owner of Castle Nugent. "That, along with its incredible natural beauty, makes it very attractive to visitors, and I have long believed that it should be part of our local tourist economy for posterity."
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| Photo: Koi Sojer |
Andy McLeod, State Director (Interim)
Since August, I have had the privilege of attempting to fill the sizeable shoes of my friend, colleague, and boss Greg Chelius. His long and productive service to TPL has been rewarded with a four-month sabbatical— time to step away from his duties at TPL and recharge his batteries. During his time off, Greg has visited China, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia and has traveled around the eastern U.S. He returns to work in late January.
As interim director, I've enjoyed a "10,000-foot" perspective on TPL's work around Florida and the Caribbean— as opposed to my usual vantage point in the tree canopy! This has allowed me a rare opportunity to appreciate the extent of what this organization and its people do.
For instance, this fall I witnessed:
- The beginning (and soon completion) of construction of a new playground in Overtown, designed by children from the neighborhood and in partnership with the local Miami YWCA.
- Protection of a waterfront site in Destin that will house a community museum dedicated to the history of the fishing industry in this rapidly growing panhandle city.
- Preservation of a unique "farm park" in the densely populated Broward County community of Davie. Surrounded by residential development and Interstate 95, this 54-acre parcel will be permanently protected and operated as a combination of agricultural heritage site, community farming, and recreational trail network.
- And after years of perseverance, TPL is now on the verge of acquiring a key parcel in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John—one of the highest priorities for the National Park Service. Arguably no other nonprofit could have carefully and patiently worked with federal and territory officials, private landowners and foundations for five years, to add this parcel to the park.
These are remarkable, and remarkably routine, achievements for TPL. And just as Greg's leave is allowing him to become newly re-energized to conserve "land for people," I find that my time in his seat has inspired me additionally in my usual day-to-day duties in government affairs. While I am eager to see Greg return from the Far East (no one will be happier than I... !), I am nonetheless very appreciative of the special, brief opportunity that I have enjoyed.
Thank you, all—advisory council members, TPL supporters, and colleagues alike—for your support and counsel during this fascinating time.
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| Children play at the historic Venice Train Depot in southern Sarasota County. Photo: Jennifer Waring |
The Trust for Public Land is taking on a new and exciting role in protecting land in Sarasota County.
With 35 miles of beautiful Gulf Coast beaches and a reputation as Florida's "cultural coast," Sarasota County has been for many years one of the fastest growing areas in the state. In the face of that growth, county residents have shown a strong commitment to protecting open space.
The county's voter-approved and taxpayer-funded Environmentally Sensitive Lands Acquisition Program (ESLAP) has acquired and protected natural lands since 1999. The program got a boost last year with passage of a $250 million ballot measure that continued its funding and created a new Neighborhood Parklands Acquisition Program. TPL has been selected as one of two organizations that will provide conservation land acquisition services for the county over the next three years. The other contract was awarded to the local Sarasota Conservation Foundation.
"Based on our past successful experience with TPL, we are looking forward to the acquisition of parkland and environmentally sensitive lands that our citizens will enjoy for generations," says Deputy County Administrator Dave Bullock. "Sarasota County and TPL have a history of success in acquiring lands to benefit the public. We are pleased to have this contract in place with TPL and look forward to acquiring some properties that will remain community treasures."
The county took great care in developing a well-balanced program that engages TPL for a variety of land conservation services including greenprinting for the new neighborhood parks portion of the program, comprehensive real estate acquisition services, and some park development and land stewardship.
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| TPL worked with Sarasota County in 2004 on the acquisition of a 12-mile rail corridor. Photo: Jennifer Waring |
TPL worked with the county in 2004 on the acquisition of a 12 1/2 -mile CSX rail corridor stretching from just south of Clark Road in Sarasota to a terminus near Center Road in Venice.Project manager Doug Hattaway will head up TPL's efforts in Sarasota County with the help of new project associate Alex Size, who previously interned in TPL's St. Petersburg office.
"Retrofitting the urban and suburban fabric of Sarasota County with parks and trails, preserving cultural and historical icons as well as conserving land with important natural resource values are at the heart TPL's work," says Hattaway. "We look forward to helping Sarasota County make the community an even better place to live, work and, play."
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| Photo: Koi Sojer |
Breaking Ground in Overtown
The kids of Overtown joined staff and friends of The Trust for Public Land and the YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade County on October 20 to officially break ground on the playground the children designed. Industrial and kid-sized backhoes, dump trucks, bulldozers and shovels were in evidence as participants "dug in" to start construction on the playground.
The Overtown Playground is a cooperative effort to turn a 7,500 square foot vacant lot in Overtown into a vibrant and vital green open space for the whole community. TPL provided a quarter acre of land, hired an award winning architect firm, and has teamed up with the YWCA, which will maintain the park. Another key player in this effort is the community of Overtown. The residents—children, parents, grandparents and guardians—worked with the architects to design the playground. When complete it will be the first playground built in Overtown in over a decade.
"We are changing the face of this neighborhood, and today is another big step toward that goal," said Audrey Edmonson, Miami-Dade County Commissioner.
Thanks to our funders!We are very excited to share the news that the Batchelor Foundation has committed a $125,000 grant for construction of the playground. We would also like to thank the other generous contributors who have recently added their support to cover the cost of design, equipment, engineering, and construction: the Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation, Inc.; the P.L. Dodge Foundation, Inc.; BAC Florida Bank; and Colin Cortes.
The playground is the result of years of effort by a variety of community partners. We would again like to thank those who gave initial project funding: MetLife Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Miami-Dade County Office of Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Washington Mutual Foundation.
Funding Conservation in Florida
Since 1990, when Florida enacted the landmark Preservation 2000 Program, Florida has been in the forefront nationally of public investment in land conservation. This fall we witnessed a recommitment to this public investment—both at the county level and in the form of a heightened effort to expand the state's land funding program.
Counties Step Up
On November 7, three of four counties considering local funding for parks and open space approved their measures.
In Martin County, TPL and its affiliate organization—the Florida Conservation Campaign—played a central role in achieving passage of a sales tax measure that will raise as much as $13 million for land protection. It passed by 55%. In Charlotte County and Collier County, local efforts to raise the local ad valorem and continue an ad valorem allotment, respectively, were approved by voters. Only in Sseminole County did a local measure fail narrowly, 51% to 49%.This year's 75% rate of passage is consistent with the historic average in and nationwide. Overall, on 7, voters across the country approved $6.4 billion for land conservation. The lesson remains: if voters know that they are prudently spending their tax dollars to protect precious landscapes, they will do it enthusiastically!
Florida Forever...and ever!
Florida Forever remains TPL's top priority in statewide "conservation finance" in Florida. Throughout 2006, we played a leading role in the organization and strategy of the Coalition, a group of now 16 regional, state, and national nonprofit organizations united to push for reauthorization and expansion of the Program.
On October 9, the Coalition made a major announcement -- support for a "new" Program that would spend up to $1 billion per year buying parkland, preserving environmentally sensitive land, securing our water resources, and more, by 2008. We believe that $10 billion over the next 10 years is necessary to restore the impact of in light of a real estate market that is ever more expensive and ever-growing conservation needs.
For example:
- Given Florida's rapid rate of growth (a net increase of 1,100 new people every day, the equivalent of a new Floridian every minute), accelerating the pace of conservation
- and environmental protection only makes ecological and economic sense.
- Florida Forever is nearly depleted and has become small in contrast to the job it was created to do. Its annual $300 million
- has not increased since 1990, when it represented $23 per Floridian. Today it has dropped to $15 per person.
- Land prices and development pressure
- have overwhelmed available funds. The average price of land in has increased from $3,800 per acre in 1990 to over $29,300 today.
- Communities Trust could fund only 20 of 115 proposed projects in 2006, and the Division of State Lands committed its annual share of money after only three months of the 2006-7 fiscal year. The essential reality is that is withering under the weight of demand and land prices. As time runs out for our remaining open spaces, preserving land for parks, people, and wildlife takes on a new urgency. is time again for leaders to put land conservation at the top of their to-do lists. TPL and the Coalition are working with them to do just that.
To learn more about TPL's role in the Coalition, contact Aandy McLleod at (850) 443-4966.
Calusa Advisory Council - Welcome New Advisory Council Members
As a tribute to the Calusa Indians who once inhabited Southwest Florida, a group of community leaders from Sanibel Island, Fort Myers, and Naples have come together in partnership with The Trust for Public Land to form the Calusa Advisory Council. We are proud to introduce our newest council members, and we lOk forward to welcoming others in the near future.
"As the region grows, those who call the area home are ever more interested in securing portions of the community's heritage," says Gary Wilson, chair of the new council. "The growing conservation ethic is focused on the preservation of the inseparable link between the natural environment and the human culture between the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the great 'river of grass' we know as the Everglades."
Laurie Holquist
Ms. Holquist, of Fort Myers, is president of ALLETE Properties, a subsidiary of ALLETE, Inc. With real estate development operations throughout Florida the company acquires large portfolios of real estate assets; enhances asset values by adding development rights and infrastructure; and resells the property to residential developers, commercial users, and investors. Ms. Holquist serves on the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and on the steering committee for the Southwest Florida Regional Stewardship Alliance.
Ronald J. McGinty
Mr. McGinty is an avid amateur photographer and cyclist who spends many hours in the Everglades and 10,000 Islands, which has fostered his love of Southwest Florida. A full-time resident of Florida for several years, he is involved in a number of community activities, including serving as a trustee of The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. He is a partner and co-founder of Matrix Resources, Inc. an international information technology staffing firm founded in 1983.
Alan Ryker
Mr. Ryker is vice chair of the City of Naples Community Redevelopment Agency's Advisory Board. He also sits on the board of directors of The Downtown Naples Association and the Naples Pathways Coalition. Passionate about redevelopment of compact and walkable communities, a philosophy of New Urbanism and Smart Growth America, Mr. Ryker is a cyclist and hiker interested in expanding and preserving opportunities for these and other outdOr activities.
Jack K. Thomas, Jr.
Mr. Thomas has been a realtor in Florida for over forty years and has lived in Sanibel for 34 years, where he is active in conservation issues. Mr. Thomas has been a member of Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation since moving to Sanibel and currently serves on the foundation's board of directors. SCCF has preserved more than 1,500 acres of land on and around Sanibel and Captiva during its 45-year history.
Gary K. Wilson
Mr. Wilson is a partner with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, a national law firm with offices in Ohio, Washington D.C. and Naples, Florida. Mr. Wilson has gained considerable experience in real property law in Southwest Florida during the last 25 years representing a number of clients who have developed luxury single-family communities and condominiums in the area. He has served on advisory boards for both the City of Naples and Collier County and in this capacity has worked on issues from long-term environmental planning to density issues facing a fully developed city.
Northeast Advisory Council
Joining the Northeast Florida Advisory Council is Mr. John Schultz, chief executive officer of The Schultz Companies, a real estate/development company in Jacksonville. He serves on the boards of Jacksonville Bancorp, Metro YMCA and Southeast-Atlantic Corporation, and is a former director of the Museum of Science & History and the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art. He is a member of Leadership Jacksonville's Class of 1994.
Rhodes Will Chair NE Florida Council
Attorney Bob Rhodes has been named chair of TPL's Northeast Florida Advisory Council. He has been a member of the council for five years and previously served as vice chair. Rhodes succeeds Jim Citrano, who served as chair for one year.
Mr. Rhodes is of counsel to the Jacksonville office of Foley & Lardner LLP, where he is a member of the Business Law Department and the Real Estate, Environmental Regulation and Public Affairs Practice Groups. He is the former executive vice president of The St. Joe Company and served as the company's general counsel. He served as the first administrator of Florida's growth management program and as counsel to the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
"As we look at the future of Northeast Florida, it becomes very clear that the work TPL does to preserve natural areas, historic and cultural sites and open space is critical to our future well-being," Rhodes says, "Whether it's preserving urban parks in the City of Jacksonville or waterfront access along the St. Johns River, TPL is a major player in the conservation arena. I'm lOking forward to the next two years."
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| Photo: Mark Grandin |
At more than 300 miles, the St. Johns is the longest river in Florida and one of few rivers in the western hemisphere flowing south to north. The St. Johns and its tributaries drain about one-sixth of the state, an area of about 8,700 square miles. Land along the river is rapidly being developed, and the region faces many of the ill effects of growth: sprawl, traffic congestion, pollution, damage to environmentally sensitive lands, loss of public access and, as a result, harm to both the environment and residents' quality of life.
The Trust for Public Land is creating a St. Johns River Greenprint, a detailed conservation plan that will identify key natural sites within the river's watershed and establish priorities for which sites to save, how they should be used and managed, and which are suitable for river-based commercial uses such as marinas, restaurants, hotels, and fuel sales. The plan also will identify and pursue potential funding for community conservation. The greenprinting will begin in Putnam County.
"This planning process is vital to the future of the St. Johns River—and Putnam County," says Putnam County Commission Chairwoman Linda Myers. "The St. Johns is the heart of Putnam County. The greenprinting effort is a very important step for our community."
The planning process will depend on a collaborative effort - conservationists working in partnership with area residents, business interests, landowners, developers, and public officials.
"We are committed to developing strategies that will preserve, protect, and bring us closer to our greatest natural resource," says Putnam County Commissioner Brad Purcell. "TPL brings a shared vision and the expertise needed to formalize a plan that will provide the greenprint for future generations. We truly are exited about leading this effort."
TPL's goal is to create a greenprint for the entire 310-mile length of the St. Johns, including its tributaries. The effort will begin in Putnam County because it has the most river frontage, natural land is still relatively affordable and available, and county leaders recognize the need and asked for help.
"The number of jurisdictions involved and the amount of cooperation and coordination needed to complete this project make this a unique effort," says Bob Rhodes, chair of TPL's Northeast Florida advisory council. "This effort will establish a model process for other communities to replicate."
If you'd like to support our efforts to greenprint the St.Johns River, please contact Lisa Welch at (305) 667-0409, ext. 12 or lisa.welch@tpl.org.
Posted 1/2007
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