District names The Nature Conservancy in Florida as 2019 Partner of the Year

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The Governing Board for the Northwest Florida Water Management District named The Nature Conservancy in Florida as its 2019 “Partner of the Year.”

“The Nature Conservancy in Florida shares the District’s and Governor DeSantis’ passion for being good stewards of this area’s precious natural resources,” District Governing Board Chairman George Roberts said. “Our work together has made a positive impact on the District’s efforts to restore native tree and plant species across northwest Florida.”

The Nature Conservancy has provided more than $127,000 in grant funding the past six years to help pay for the planting of nearly 850,000 longleaf pine saplings covering 1,170 acres of District lands.

The group has also provided trained staff to assist on at least 18 prescribed burns within the Econfina Creek and Chipola River water management areas.

Working closely with the District, The Nature Conservancy led the development of a partnership that brought together state governments in Alabama and Florida as well as other local and federal government partners to develop the Perdido River paddle trail and watershed protection project. The group also helped in the development of watershed plans that resulted in three new estuary programs in the Panhandle.

“The Northwest Florida Water Management District has been an outstanding partner in our collective effort to enhance, conserve, and manage important natural systems, lands, and waters from Pensacola to Tallahassee,” said Temperince Morgan, executive director, The Nature Conservancy in Florida. “We appreciate being named Partner of the Year, and look forward to continued collaboration with NWFWMD to benefit people and nature in the region.”

The Nature Conservancy in Florida was presented with the “Partner of the Year” plaque and a permanent nameplate memorializing its selection as the 2019 winner on a trophy housed at the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s headquarters.

Partner of the Year winners:

2019: The Nature Conservancy in Florida
2018: Craig Bishop, Bishop Farms