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A New Memory to Celebrate!
We have been wandering through the archives and our rolodex, featuring memories of how NFLT was started, who were some of our first partners and landowners, and highlighting some of our key initiatives. For this week we want to share a new memory, but one that is nonetheless significant and will remain etched in our minds and hearts for many years to come.
This past weekend we recognized our 25 years of conservation with a celebration at Smith Lake Preserve. Close to 100 friends, partners, and donors joined NFLT staff and board members at our flagship property. Everyone enjoyed guided property tours on the Hixon Buggy, had an opportunity to “meet” our new firetruck, Lola D, a custom-built, large capacity firetruck gifted to NFLT by the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund, enjoyed music by the Remedy Tree, ate barbeque from Mission BBQ, and took self-guided hikes through the property. It was a beautiful fall day in Florida and at the end of the event our hearts were full.
Smith Lake Preserve is not open to the public so many have not had a chance to see the progress we have made with restoring the property. It was great fun to be able to showcase the impact of our donors’ and partners’ dollars in real life. The abundance of green, the resurgence of native plants and the little long leaf pine saplings were thrilling to see. (Scroll down for some photos.)
Land restoration can take a long time. Land management plans span years, if not decades, and they are subject to change based on external variables such as climate and weather, progression of growth, and plant viability. To see such a significant change in just three years (we moved into Smith Lake Preserve in spring 2021) not only reinforces the importance of our mission but also inspires all of us and reenergizes our work.
Thank you to all who joined us last Saturday. We often say we cannot do what we do without you, but we say it often because it is true. You are the best part of NFLT. |
