Lindsay Cross

As Florida State Director, Lindsay Cross leads Trust for Public Land’s efforts to connect people across the state to parks, trails, and protected lands. She oversees Florida’s work to conserve the landscapes that define the state, expand public access to the outdoors, and create vibrant parks and trail networks that strengthen communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida. An environmental scientist at heart, Lindsay is driven by a lifelong passion for protecting the natural world and inspiring others to experience it. Lindsay plays a key role in building partnerships with public agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and community leaders to advance conservation solutions that benefit both people and nature. 

Bringing more than 25 years of experience in environmental science, conservation, and public service, Lindsay joined Trust for Public Land in 2026. Throughout her career, she has worked across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to improve water quality, restore habitats, and protect Florida’s natural resources. Prior to TPL, she served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, where she championed bipartisan policies to protect public lands, strengthen community resilience and emergency preparedness, and expand affordable housing. She also held leadership roles with the Florida Wildlife Corridor, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and Environmental Science Associates, helping advance conservation initiatives and environmental stewardship throughout the state. 

Lindsay has long admired Trust for Public Land’s commitment to ensuring everyone has access to the outdoors and believes that protecting land is ultimately about improving people’s lives. She is especially passionate about expanding Florida’s trail network, including closing gaps in the Florida National Scenic Trail and creating new segments of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, while advancing the vision of the Florida Wildlife Corridor to protect the state’s most important landscapes for future generations.