Indian River Land Trust supporters were feted recently during the annual Conservators’ Reception at Quail Valley River Club, hosted by Laura and Bill Buck with Sally and Dick Brickman.
“We’ve had a fantastic campaign. As a direct result of that, every single time we go over the Barber Bridge, we’re going to see green instead of construction,” said Greg Casalino, IRLT board chair, referencing the acquisition of the 65-acre Hoffmann property, below and north of the Barber Bridge.
“In addition to that tremendously successful campaign, at the other end of the county, we’re going to have a world-class living classroom at Coastal Oaks Preserve,” said Casalino.
He encouraged everyone to support the Nov. 8 bond referendum, backed by local environmental groups, to enable the acquisition and preservation of environmentally significant land. The referendum supports the goal of the Land Trust to preserve land for conservation and wildlife habitats while providing access for public recreation and education for future generations.
“It’s been two long, tumultuous years since we’ve had this chance to be together, and I wanted to share some progress we’ve made with this campaign to protect the land that protects the lagoon,” said IRLT executive director Ken Grudens.
Grudens said that objective of the ongoing campaign is threefold: “To acquire land that will help us to continue that progress of protecting land along the lagoon from development and for wildlife habitat, to create restoration and provide research and educational opportunities, and to grow our land stewardship endowment so that we can make sure that we can take care of these properties in perpetuity.”
He added that over the years, the Land Trust has acquired 1,200 acres and 12 miles of shoreline, and that they are forging ahead with the development of a living classroom at the 220-acre Coastal Oaks Preserve.
“We’re really excited to have this place which holds a myriad of different habitats. Coastal Oaks Preserve is our key project for the next 12 months along with continuing to acquire land and build our endowment,” said Grudens.
“We’ve had some success thanks to you with our campaign. I think we’ve made an impact on this community,” said Grudens challenging attendees to help reach the challenge match goal.
“We got a $1 million gift last spring from Meg and Don Steiner with a challenge to raise another million dollars. We only have $70,000 to raise left on that $1 million challenge. Our goal is to do that by March 26.”
Before returning to conversation, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Grudens showed a portion of the PBS “Changing Seas” television program that aired last summer featuring the work being done in the county regarding fishery research and mosquito control.
For more information, visit irlt.org.
Photos provided
