The spectacularly landscaped grounds of Rock City Gardens were again the ideal setting for an event highlighting the accomplishments of the Indian River Land Trust. Even the full moon overhead seemed to shimmer in recognition of the silver anniversary occasion – Land Water Wildlife: Celebrate 25 Years of Conservation. Last Thursday’s event was presented by Stephanie and Orin Smith and co-chaired by Jill Kaneb and Paula Knier.
“This is the first time ever that we’ve been completely sold out,” said Ann Taylor, adding that 450 guests were in attendance at the event, which raised more than $130,000.
Guests roamed along the pathways of the softly lit nursery, and strolled along the lake, where 25 “wish lanterns” floated as symbols of the Land Trust’s past and hopes for its future.
“We’re excited to be here celebrating our 25th anniversary,” said the Trust’s Executive Director, Ken Gruden. “It’s a perfect night to celebrate the lagoon.”
After relishing hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, guests later dined under large open-air tents on a tasty buffet dinner prepared by Elizabeth Kennedy and danced to music from the Sunrise Party Band. And once the fire pit was going, few could resist toasting their own marshmallows to enjoy the oozy-gooey goodness of s’mores.
A silent auction featured 25 ways for constituents to foster the Land Trust’s efforts to give back to the community by underwriting the cost of excursions such as hiking, biking, geo-catching and kayaking for children assisted through various nonprofit agencies.
“This woman right here is the one to talk to; she started it all,” said IRLT board member John Johnson, smiling at Toni Robinson, Director Emeritus, the Land Trust’s first board president, and the event’s honorary chairwoman.
Robinson, always quick to give others credit, stressed that there had been a group of people who were responsible for the Land Trust’s first project – saving the former McKee Jungle Gardens from being bulldozed to make way for a shopping center. Subsequent IRLT projects included a leadership role in the passage of the Environmental Land Bond Referendum, funding a Gopher Tortoise Study, and protection of the Treasure Hammock and Padgett Creek Ranches.
“We were sort of trying to do everything everywhere and then we decided to focus on the lagoon,” said Johnson, noting that in 2008, the recession bolstered the chance to purchase previously unaffordable waterfront property. Knowing that the buying window would be short, the Trust began contacting owners and raising funds through the $10 million Campaign to Save our Indian River Lagoon Acre by Acre.
Nine miles of protected lagoon shoreline, some abutting other conservation areas, has been preserved: the 24 acre Toni Robertson Waterfront Trail, 190 acres on Pine Island; four acres at Quay Dock Road; the 51-acre Winter Beach Salt Marsh; 111 acres along the migratory Atlantic Flyway known as Bee Gum Point; Bridge View Property, a 206-acre property that includes 1.5 miles of shoreline; the 187 acre Lagoon Greenway trail system; and the 185 acre Coastal Oaks Preserve, which includes a mile of shoreline.
“The Land Trust will hold the property in perpetuity,” said Johnson. The Trust invites land owners interested in improving the health of the lagoon and conserving their property for future generations to contact them. “If they really love their property and want to see it preserved, they should talk to us. We’d like to work with them.”
Robinson agreed adding, “When land is gone it’s gone; it’s never coming back.”
