Who We Are

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast works with landowners, businesses, and government to protect and preserve the beauty and natural integrity of the bays, beaches, and barrier islands that make the Gulf Coast special. The Foundation purchases natural areas, holds land preservation agreements, and educates for responsible stewardship. The Foundation also serves as the land acquisition agent for Sarasota County’s acclaimed environmentally sensitive lands program, their neighborhood parks program, and is a partner in efforts to preserve Florida’s natural heritage.

Our Mission

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast works to protect the character, natural integrity and biodiversity of Florida's Gulf Coast bays, beaches and barrier islands by:

Holding conservation easements and owning nature preserves
Educating for responsible land stewardship
Collaborating with individuals, organizations and communities

The Founder

Albert Joerger launched the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast in 2003 as a result of his extensive expertise in intelligent conservation and his passion for the Gulf Coast. Mr. Joerger holds a BS in Economics, an MLA in Landscape Architecture and a PhD.in Environmental Information Science, all from Cornell University. His broad experience includes market research, coastal land use and development, planning for sustainable tourism, environmental consulting on water resources, as well as fundraising and land acquisition for The Nature Conservancy. Dr. Joerger serves as a Governing Board Member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District where he chairs the Land Resource Committee. Dr. Joerger was a member of Governor Crist’s transition team for the environment and is the immediate past president of the Florida Alliance of Land Trusts.

Board of Trustees:

Jeffrey Steinwachs, Chairman

Harold L. Johnson, M.D., Vice Chairman

José N. Uranga, Esq., Secretary

Eileen Scudder-Zimmermann, Treasurer

Fredric C. Jacobs, Esq.

Karin Leereveld

Rob Patten

Board of Advisors:

Richard H. Boote, Esq.

Clyde Butcher

Robert A. Kimbrough, Esq.

Cornelia Matson

Jan Miller

Jackie B. Obendorf

Catherine A. Rustin

Fluff & Alec Thayer

Arthur M. Wood, Jr.

Staff:

Albert G. Joerger, Founder and President

Kathy Grass, Accounting Manager

Lee Amos, Land Steward

Pam Brownell, Assistant to the President

Sean Byrne, Director of Land Protection

Robin Roberts, Director of Programs

History

In 2003, a group of citizens concerned about conservation on the Gulf Coast came together to begin a land trust. They united to form a community around conservation. In that collaborative spirit, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was born as a membership organization with a board of trustees, some committed volunteers, and communications materials made possible by Ringling College Design Center. They received a matching grant for operations that launched the organization.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice made a grant which enabled the land trust to purchase its first property on Venice Island. An unsightly parking lot was transformed into a pocket park connecting people to the Venetian Waterway Park and beautifying the gateway to Venice Island. The City of Venice engineered and built the park and Michael Biehl Park was dedicated in April of 2007. Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast will own the park in perpetuity.

In 2005, the Foundation received a $6.6 million grant from the Florida Forever program to acquire 4.3 acres on Little Sarasota Bay. That property is now the headquarters of the Foundation and Bay Preserve at Osprey will officially open to the public with a week of free events beginning November 17 and culminating in a Fall Family Festival from 10:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday November 21, 2009. Many members, major donors and foundations contributed to the renovation and improvements to the site. It is a shining example of Conservation Foundation’s commitment to community collaboration. Historic Spanish Point, Sarasota Crew, American Littoral Society, Sarasota County Extension Services, Osprey Revitalization Committee, The Founders Garden Club, Art Center Sarasota, and many other organizations are enhancing and benefitting from this preserve.

Additional preserves have been established on Manasota Key, Casey Key and Siesta Key and in April 2009, the land trust acquired 230 acres on Pine Island. The Foundation established six preserves in six years to protect critical habitat, and where appropriate, ensure public access to the water forever.

In 2007, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was named acquisition agent for the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program where they have helped to protect more than a dozen properties. They were awarded the acquisition contract for The Neighborhood Parkland Program in 2009.

Working with Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota County and Sarasota County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Conservation Foundation created an online resource www.srqecoseeker.com to promote eco-tourism. It features a contest of the best weekend outdoors in Sarasota County and runs through November 30, 2009.