New Chair for TPL’s NE Florida Advisory Council (FL)

Jacksonville, FL, 7/17/2006: – The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit land conservation organization, announced today that Bob Rhodes will be taking over as chair of its Northeast Florida Advisory Council.

Mr. Rhodes has been a member of TPL’s advisory council for five years and previously served as vice chair. He will succeed Jim Citrano, who served as chair for one year.

“I really want to thank Jim Citrano for his leadership over the past year,” Rhodes said. “We have had significant accomplishments under his tenure, including preservation of a 30-acre addition to the Jacksonville Zoo and a significant preservation effort at American Beach. I look forward to building on those accomplishments in the years ahead.”

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 previously served as the company’s general counsel. Prior to joining St. Joe, he served as senior vice president and general counsel to Arvida Corporation and Disney Development Company. Earlier, 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 said. “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 looking forward to the next two years.”

“I’m really pleased that Bob Rhodes has agreed to accept the position of chair of our Advisory Council,” said Jim Citrano. “We worked together at the former DDA, and I have a great respect for Bob’s knowledge, zeal, and enthusiasm for the work TPL does. Bob’s resume speaks to his qualifications, but his character and leadership abilities will be shown by the progress our organization makes during his tenure.”

The other members of TPL’s Northeast Florida Advisory Council are: Ms. Michelle Braun; Mr. G. John Carey; Mr. Jack Diamond; Mr. Fred Franklin; Ms. Doris Goldstein; Mr. Bill Gower; Dr. Carlton Jones; Ms. Linda King; Mr. Rad Lovett; Ms. Ginny Myrick; Ms. Ann Shorstein; and Mr. Richard Skinner.

“We have so many exciting programs that we will be beginning during Bob’s time as chair, we are thrilled that he has agreed to devote his valuable time and expertise to furthering our mission to provide parks for people,” said Susan Grandin, director of TPL’s Northeast Florida office, located in Jacksonville. “He and all our advisory council members are such a valuable asset of the organization, I am honored that they are on our team.”

The Trust for Public Land opened its Jacksonville office in 1999 and worked extensively on the City of Jacksonville’s Preservation Project, a major initiative to manage growth and development while preserving the city’s quality of life. In its four years on the project, TPL helped preserve more than 3,500 acres in 23 different sites, and enabled the city to acquire for $54.4 million property valued at $62.2 million – thus saving nearly $8 million dollars. Other important TPL efforts in northeast Florida include acquisition of the historic Broward House on Heckscher Drive and a 30-acre expansion to the popular Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, the 260-acre Moccasin Slough property on the St. Johns River in Clay County, three sites at American Beach in Nassau County, the 34-acre Canopy Shores property in St. Augustine Shores and an addition to Ft. Mose Historic Park in St. Augustine.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 2 million acres of land in 46 states. Operating in Florida since 1975, TPL has protected more than 300 sites – over 200,000 acres at a market value of about $500 million. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. For more information please contact us at 850-222-7911 or visit us on the web at www.tpl.org.