Florida Trail Association - Central Florida Chapter

🌿 Featured Speaker: Kristin Anderson, Conservation Florida

Protecting Wild Florida: Land, Legacy, and Local Action
Florida is growing—fast. But behind the headlines and housing developments are people working every day to safeguard the natural beauty and biodiversity that makes our state so special.

Kristin Anderson, Programs and Community Engagement Lead at Conservation Florida, will introduce us to the mission and work of this statewide nonprofit land trust. From conservation easements and wildlife corridors to community events and the newly opened D Ranch Preserve, Kristin will show us what large-scale land protection looks like in action—and how everyday citizens can get involved.

Bonus: Some of our members recently hiked the D Ranch Preserve, so we’re especially excited to see the behind-the-scenes story of this inspiring conservation win.

📖 About the Organization
Founded in 1999 as the “Conservation Trust for Florida,” Conservation Florida has protected thousands of acres of working lands, water resources, and wildlife habitats across the state. The organization partners with private landowners and public agencies to protect Florida’s most threatened landscapes—for nature, for people, forever.

🧺 Half-Back Raffle – Win Some Cash!
🎟️ Tickets: $1 each or 6 for $5
💰 Winner takes home half the pot, with the other half supporting our chapter’s work.

📅 Thursday, October 16, 2025
🕡 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Leu Gardens – Magnolia Room
1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Come learn how land conservation helps shape Florida’s future—and how you can be a part of it. 🐾🌾✨

Anclote Key Preserve State Park is accessible only by boat and is located a couple of miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs in the Gulf. The park is home to at least 43 species of birds, including the American oystercatcher, bald eagle and piping plover. A picturesque 1887 lighthouse stands as a sentinel on the southern end of the island. We will meet at the Anclote River Park boat ramp or small beach at 9:30.
We will then paddle out the Anclote River, and across the 2 to 3 miles of open water of the Gulf to Anclote Key. Depending on the weather and marine conditions we may circumnavigate the island. We will land on the south end of the island and explore the old Lighthouse, as well as look for wildlife and birds. We will eat a light lunch on the island. We will then return across the bay back to the park. This will be a paddle of around 8 to 12 miles total, depending on whether we paddle around the island. Please note that this is kayak paddling in the gulf and water conditions can change during the day. You should feel comfortable in open water away from land, have suitable equipment (spray skirts, bailing equipment for sit-in boats) and know how to operate your boats.

In August it will be hot and sunny and there will be little shade, so appropriate clothing and hats is recommended along with sunscreen. Bring plenty of water to drink.
After the paddle, we will stop in a Tarpon Springs (famous for old Florida Greek sponge diving history) at a local restaurant for an early dinner.
As always, if you sign up for this trip and then for some reason need to cancel, please be courteous and do so as early as possible to allow the wait-list people to sign up and go on the trip.

This paddle includes the open Gulf, water conditions and our ability to traverse to the island are dependent on the weather. If conditions are not acceptable, we will lean towards caution and potentially cancel.

Bill Turman (Cell) 407-413-2950, (email) HokieBill@bellsouth.net