Planners Recognize ACT as “Outstanding”

Posted on Aug 24, 2008 - 09:15 PM

Alachua Conservation Trust has been recognized as Florida’s “Outstanding Public Interest Group” by the American Planning Association’s state chapter.  The recognition will be presented at the annual meeting of planners in Miami on September 13, 2008.

Jeff Bielling, the President of the San Felasco Chapter of the American Planning Association, said, “ACT exemplifies a non-governmental land trust’s ability to protect the environment, preserve historical sites, and provide environmental education, with modest resources.”  Dean Mimms, a City of Gainesville planner, helped prepare the application, which listed many of ACT’s accomplishments over its first 20 years.

ACT’s Executive Director Robert Hutchinson, who has also worked as a professional planner, did not know the nomination had been made, and was pleasantly surprised.  “News of the award came on one of those roller-coaster days—when we had lost a big grant in the morning, then successfully negotiated for a significant acquisition in the afternoon,” Hutch said. “Planners have helped ACT on numerous projects—in recent years preparing successful grant proposals, providing GIS services, and pushing the envelope with new tools that help to creatively conserve land.

The special recognition will also be presented at the next meeting of the San Felasco Chapter of Planners, however the date of the meeting has not been established.