NFLT has been awarded a grant of up to $105,000 from the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation (PGCLC) to support conservation efforts within the Ocala to Osceola, or O2O, wildlife corridor. The nonprofit land conservation organization applied for funding to support conservation endeavors to protect more than 700 acres of land within the critical wildlife corridor. The funding will assist with the due diligence efforts as NFLT pursues the acquisition of two properties totaling 103 acres and a 600-acre conservation easement. The PGCLC grant will help cover various costs, including appraisals, title and legal reviews, surveys, recording fees, and environmental assessments. You can read more about this grant and what it means here.  

More than 855 acres of land in a critical wildlife corridor in Putnam County will now be preserved forever in an agreement brokered by NFLT and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The organizations worked together to purchase the 855.35-acre conservation easement on family-owned land in the O2O Wildlife Corridor. The conservation easement was acquired for $2.1 million funded through the Florida Forever program.

NFLT approached the O’Connor family heirs who own the land to discuss the possibility of conservation for the property which has been in the family for almost a century. The land, an important linkage property within the O2O, is adjacent to Cross Florida Greenway conservation land and includes significant frontage on Rodman Lake. The property was the only land along the lake that was not yet protected. NFLT was able to facilitate the preservation of the property by connecting the family to the state program that could make the acquisition possible. You can read the full story here. 

On Saturday, June 8, NFLT Members, staff, and board members kayaked down the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway during this inaugural, members-only event.  The 2-mile expedition showcased the beauty of the salt marsh and the wildlife that enjoy it on NFLT's Bull Family Preserve near Atlantic Beach. The 211+ acre property, gifted to NFLT by the Bull Harcourt III family in 2023, is home to wildlife like fiddler crabs and egrets, as well as the unofficial NFLT mascot - the roseate spoonbill.  Rianna Elliott, Aaryn Tarver, and Chris Bebout provided interpretation along the journey and Dennis Thompson from Adventure Kayak Florida loaned our members kayaks and gear for the trip.  With an overwhelming response and a request for more, kayaking tours will enjoy a permanent spot on the member calendar.  We're planning the next adventure now - join us to get updates on future events like this!

NFLT recently launched a new donation platform and we could not be more excited! Our new platform has so much more functionality, both behind the scenes and also for our supporters and members. We have not yet rolled out all of the new features but here are some highlights and keep an eye on our site for new features launching monthly!

>> New ways to give including Venmo, PayPal, and ACH

>> You can schedule your gift to recur monthly, quarterly, yearly, or submit as a one-time gift

>> Coming soon! You can give directly through your Donor Advised Fund

Exciting news for anyone planning to attend our 25th Anniversary Celebration in November! NFLT is the happy recipient of an amazing new wagon with seating thanks to Joe and Renate Hixon. This little gem is available now for tours of our Smith Lake property.  (Did you know? Behind-the-scenes tours are just one perk of NFLT membership!)

Fun fact: NFLT's Stewardship team often needs to monitor our properties by water and our Conservation Acquisitions team often needs to conduct initial site visits by water. This has been accomplished by kayak on many occasions but sometimes we need to borrow a boat so we can cover more shoreline or travel to properties and areas that are not accessible by car. To that end, NFLT is looking for a 4-6 person skiff/tender that is quick, maneuverable, easy to launch, with a center console and 12' to 20'. Have one you don't need and would like to donate for a tax credit? Please email Rianna Elliott, Director of Stewardship.