The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc.
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Our Services

Ways to Conserve Land/Our Accomplishments To Date

Ways to Conserve Land/Our Accomplishments To Date

Ways to Conserve Land/Our Accomplishments To Date

WAYS TO CONSERVE LAND:


There are several ways for a conservancy to obtain land:


(1) via a sale and purchase;


(2) via acceptance of a land donation;


(3) via receipt of a bequest in the estate planning process (such as in a last will and testament) or


(4) via an agreement for a conservation easement, which is a way to protect land while keeping it in private ownership, and which are generally placed on large parcels of land or acreage.  


Whether you want to keep your land, donate it or sell it, we are willing to explore your conservation opportunities with you. 


OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE:


Since our launch in February of 2020, The Environmental Conservancy Of North Port, Inc. has worked to educate the public on the importance of creating a balance between development and our environment in our  neighborhoods through the conservation of vacant land. 


Currently there are no designated conservation areas within North Port neighborhoods, and none are presently planned.

 
Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to raise enough funds to purchase two vacant land parcels from Sarasota County in July 2020 for $5,000.00 each.


A third vacant parcel was donated to us free of charge in October 2020.


 All three parcels are in a neighborhood of the City that hosts a population of the Florida Scrub-jay, Gopher Tortoises and Northern Bobwhite Quail within a Scrubby Flatwoods habitat.

Natural Areas Education

Ways to Conserve Land/Our Accomplishments To Date

Ways to Conserve Land/Our Accomplishments To Date

North Port and our surrounding areas are composed of a diverse range of natural communities, often referred to as habitat: scrub, scrubby flatwoods,  mesic hammocks, mesic (pine) flatwoods and freshwater wetlands, that are experiencing daily alteration or destruction as a result of development. 


Conservation of vacant land amidst development preserves wildlife habitat, threatened and/or endangered species and biodiversity; maintains scenic landscape for people; helps reduce flooding; helps filter water/improve water quality; and maintains the tree canopy and native vegetation that serve as filters for our air. 


Conserving land increases property values near these greenspaces too. 


When we conserve land, all living things win. But our mission cannot be accomplished without the collective effort, generosity and giving of many. 


North Port's neighborhoods are SO much more than a mass collection of 10,000 square foot parcels of land created by General Development Corporation in the 1960's. 


We encourage you to take a walk around your neighborhood and look and listen closely at all you see and hear from ground level all the way to the tree tops. 


We have a variety of educational information available to further your awareness. Contact us to learn more!

Fostering a Conservation Ethic

Ways to Conserve Land/Our Accomplishments To Date

Fostering a Conservation Ethic

Research indicates that it is not necessarily how much time is spent in nature, or how much is learned about the environment that fosters love and respect for our wild lands ... it is the having of a positive experience in nature that creates emotional connection. 


This is how we create a conservation ethic in young and old alike.


Visit us on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to view current information on our latest mission goals and to learn more about our area flora and fauna.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/The-Environmental-Conservancy-of-North-Port-Inc-100291658156351/ 


https://www.instagram.com/northportconservancy/


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCORtr4Ke4_I1F5Qup819O3Q/


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THE FUTURE

CREATING A BALANCE

The vast majority of North Port is zoned for residential development. The  City's current Future Use Land Map provides for no conservation land within any of our neighborhoods.  


Without conservation land to create a balance between development and our environment as our neighborhoods continue to grow, it will be impossible to maintain the biodiversity that is necessary for the long term survival of our flora and fauna.

Photo Gallery of our mission focus

WHO WE ARE

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Board is made up of 5 citizens of North Port with over 20 years of residency and environmental field experience between them. 

Barbara Lockhart, President/Director

Barbara is a University of Florida Master Naturalist, a Florida Registered Paralegal and Director of the North Port Nature Stewards on Facebook. The North Port Nature Stewards was created in an effort to provide education that will increase citizen awareness, understanding and respect for North Port's flora and fauna/natural world.  Barbara grew up in Charlotte County and moved to North Port in 2002.

Debbie Blanco, Vice President/Director

Debbie is a 5th generation Florida native, born in Sarasota, she moved to North Port in 2003. She recently retired from Sarasota County as a Land Manager, and has over 20 years of experience managing public lands while employed by Sarasota County, to include the 24,565 acre T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve.

Edie Driest, Secretary/Director

Edie is the Chair of The North Port Friends of Wildlife,  a chapter of Friends of Sarasota County Parks. NPFOWL was founded in 2014 by individuals who, in light of North Port's fast paced growth, felt wildlife and wildlife habitat needed protection.  Learn more on Facebook or visit www.northportfriendsofwildlife.org.

Matt Tosi, Treasurer/Director

Matt came to Florida from Ohio in 2015, first to Bradenton and then to North Port. He is a design engineer by trade but also has experience in non-profit organization outreach, marketing, merchandising and fundraising. In his spare time he is a volunteer wildlife rescuer for the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida, having successfully rescued 230 birds, gopher tortoises, alligators and other wildlife since 2017. 

Nathalie Briend-Smith, Director

 Nathalie has been a resident of North Port since 2016. She is a Parks Naturalist employed with Sarasota County, currently stationed at Lemon Bay Park & Environmental Center. She has studied both Marine Science and Herpetology and will be handling reptile and amphibian surveys on the parcels of land we acquire. Visit the Events tab of Sarasota County Plays on Facebook to find free upcoming educational environment-related events taking place at Lemon Bay Park and beyond. 

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