Planned Giving: Leave a Legacy, Not a Labyrinth

Through planned giving, ACT supporters can create a legacy for themselves after their passing. We know that the mission of land conservation is a clear passion of every supporter regardless the level of giving. Bequests and planned gifts give every supporter the opportunity to make a significant impact, whether for themselves or their families.

Depending upon the type of planned gift you make, there are likely going to be tax benefits. Some, like charitable remainder trusts, are tax exempt.

Other gifts, like real estate, receive an income tax deduction equal to the value of the property and avoid capital gains taxes. Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from a supporter’s IRA account are a way for folks over 70 years old to make tax-free gifts.

Unrestricted gifts give ACT the flexibility and nimbleness to put the gift to work where it is needed most at that moment. However, through planned giving a supporter has the ability to exercise control about how their gift is used. Some supporters will want to focus their planned giving on targeted passions and will use language in their wills and estate documents to pursue those passions posthumously. This is the power of planned giving.

As far as the benefits of planned giving for ACT go, chief among them is security for the future. The knowledge that we, as an organization, are a part of your estate planning gives us the strength to act and to pursue mission critical goals with rock-solid financial footing. With this type of support, ACT's vulnerability to losing out on acquiring key lands needing to be conserved will lessen over time.

Organization is at the core of planned giving. You don’t want to go through the pains of setting up an estate plan only to have it be befuddled by loose ends.

First and foremost, when you select an executor of your will and estate, please let them know that you have done so. In fact, best practice is to ask them and let them politely refuse if they feel that such a task is beyond them. To wake up and find out that you just assumed a new role like executor can be an overwhelming and unforeseen burden.

Secondly, let the recipient of any bequests know ahead of time that they are a part of your estate planning. While it may be tempting to keep this information a secret, the real power exists in letting it be known. In this way you can engage ACT more directly about how your gift will impact the course of conservation in our region. It is especially important to know if you are leaving the gift of a home or other residence to the trust.

Lastly - those pesky usernames and passwords? Yeah, that’s something not to forget about. The majority of everything we do these days is digitally documented. Please make sure that whoever will handle your affairs can access your digital information and files.

The time to think about planned giving isn’t later, it’s now. And it isn’t just a way for others with more money to give. It affords an opportunity to everyone. Planned giving is a way to express what you are most passionate about. For ACT’s supporters, it is another tool in the kit to help protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources of North Central Florida; another means by which to stem the concrete tide that forever crashes all around us.

We all know that our natural lives have a limit, but our legacies and how we plan them have an opportunity to go on and on.

2024 Summer Natural Resource Internship Recap

Congratulations to our Summer 2024 Natural Resource Interns! Our 10 interns braved the hottest, most humid semester of the year and collectively gave over 1100 hours of their time to ACT. This intern group took everything in stride, showing up every day with a positive attitude and willingness to learn, no matter how challenging the work conditions. This semester, interns treated non-native centipede grass, planted native grasses, and treated invasives at Little Orange Creek, helped install a trail system at Little Awesome Preserve to prepare for its opening in the winter, spent several days treating invasives and preparing burn units through thinning sweetgums at Santa Fe River Preserve, assisted with fireline preparations, treated tropical soda apple at Orange Lake Overlook, treated midstory plants at Santa Fe Springs, and built a fence at the Bubbie’s Secret Garden which will open as a pocket park in the Fall. Interns assisted on three prescribed fires this semester, including one at Fox Pen Preserve and one at Little Orange Creek Preserve. 

In addition to the physical work they completed on ACT preserves, interns also participated in a variety of learning and professional development opportunities, including dipnetting at Little Orange Creek and a botany field day, a fire prescription writing workshop, a grant-writing workshop, a forestry day to collect data about LEAFS preserve, and a fire workshop lead by the North Florida Prescribed Burn Association. Interns also participated in Jay Watch by completing Florida Scrub-Jay surveys with Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Audubon Society, dug a grave with the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, and looked at cave crayfish with biologist Paul Moler.

Several interns shared about their experience this past semester: 

As someone seriously interested in a career in natural resource management, my experience as an intern with the Alachua Conservation Trust has made an indelible contribution to my academic journey. From prescribed burns and wildlife assessments to preserve maintenance and habitat restoration, I engaged in a diverse range of activities that provided hands-on experience in natural resource management and conservation practices. I have an unfailing appreciation for the staff at ACT, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside people who are so knowledgeable, so passionate, so supportive, and so eager to pass along their knowledge to rising generations. I sincerely could not have asked for a better, more enriching experience. - Dante D.

My experience as an ACT Summer 2024 Intern was an incredibly rewarding experience! I was part of an amazing crew and gained many skills, such as carpentry, plant ID, invasive plant removal, chainsaw operation and maintenance, and prescribed fire participation and knowledge. We also did many fun activities including an intern paddle in the springs, muscadine picking, and using natural dyes. These experiences helped me grow and even stronger appreciation for Florida ecosystems and have a better idea of a work trajectory I want to pursue in the future. - Abbi J.

Internship applications for the Spring 2025 semester will open at the beginning of November and close the first Friday of December (Friday, December 6th). The Fall 2024 internship will run from the last week in August through the first week in December. For more information on the Natural Resource internship, check out our website: https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/natural-resource-internship If you have questions about the Natural Resource Management Internship, please reach out to Amy Compare (amy@alachuaconservationtrust.org). 

ACT’s intern programs are supported by people like you, who see the value in providing the next generation with the tools, experiences, and skills to steward and conserve land. If you would like to support the growth and development of young natural resource professionals, consider donating to the Internship Fund In Memory of Ryan Crowder & Julia Reiskind

ACT Spring 2024 Outreach Internship Highlight: Discovering a New Side of Gainesville

By Peyten Hernandez

As a senior in high school I remember being asked why I wanted to move to Gainesville and attend UF. There was no shortage of people telling me that there was nothing to do in Gainesville and that I would be bored. I always responded the same way: “but there’s football and the springs!” Yet somehow it took me almost four years to visit the nearby springs for the first time. Interning at ACT has illuminated, for me, the disconnect between UF students and the Gainesville community. Tabling and attending work days for ACT has opened my eyes to an entire community I hadn’t interacted with before, one where conservation is a driving force bringing everyone together. 

From 5ks for the springs, to cleaning up preserves, to removing invasive species, I’ve learned that the residents of Gainesville are meeting up outside supporting one another. If you research Gainesville on any travel website, they’ll say the same thing: go outside. And that’s exactly what Gainesville’s residents do. Through meeting and talking with Gainesville locals, it seems like everyone knows everyone, and they love where they live. 

I’m graduating in one week, and I am so thankful to have had this experience throughout my last semester of college. As students, we get so caught up in life on campus that we are blinded to everything Gainesville and North Central Florida truly has to offer. I’ve been working hard since I began my internship to make my friends and anyone around me aware of how much more there is to see and do if you just go a little further off campus. I can only imagine how special it would have been to participate in everything I’m participating in now with ACT throughout my four years, and I want to help other students find this opportunity to connect. 

My favorite ACT events that I’ve participated in are Weekly Walk and Talks at various ACT public preserves. It’s been an amazing opportunity to get outside and spend some time in the sun, and I’ve met so many friendly people from around different parts of Gainesville each time. I’ve been trying to soak up my last couple months here as much as possible, and these people have, probably unknowingly, made a lasting impact on me. But by bearing witness to their willingness to get out and explore a new (or already beloved) part of their community has inspired me to do the same. I think UF students could learn a lot from the natural space and community Gainesville has to offer, to truly make a home for 4 years feel like home. Whether it’s through an internship, volunteer days, visiting our table at events, or attending a Walk and Talk, I highly encourage other students to check out what ACT has to offer and delve deeper into the Gainesville community around them. 

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Banner image: Kayaks along the Santa Fe River by Alison Blakeslee.

Exploring Florida’s Habitat Diversity on ACT Preserves

By Lilah Durant

Florida as a state ranks extremely high in biodiversity among plants and animals. This incredible diversity of species comes from the incredible habitat diversity in the state. Due to Florida being a large peninsula state and having both subtropical and tropical climates, this allows for an array of different terrestrial and aquatic habitats. 

A large part of the state includes pine flatwoods, but we see hardwood forest hammocks, scrub, sandhills, dry prairie, freshwater marshes and wet prairies, swamps, springs, mangroves, and coastal grasslands and beach dunes. We see xeric (dry), mesic (moderate moisture), and hydric (wet) conditions within these different habitats. 

Figure (Davis, John Henry, General Map Of Natural Vegetation Of Florida Circular S-178, 1967)

https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000505/00001/images  

Pine flatwoods which make up a lot of the state contain mesic/hydric pine woodland, flat sandy terrain, and within these flatwoods, fire is a necessary part in keeping it healthy. When visiting the flatwoods, you might see red-cockaded woodpeckers, American kestrels, Florida black bears, and fox squirrels. 

The coastal grasslands and beach dunes most Floridians are very familiar with are sandy areas shaped by tides and waves on the coast which are extremely important for sea turtles nesting, shorebirds, and seabirds.

Hardwood forests and hammocks are closed canopies with denser, deciduous and evergreen trees in North and central Florida. You might see Florida panthers, Florida bog frogs, and gopher tortoises within the canopies. 

Scrub and sandhill areas are xeric parts of the state with deep sand substrate. Scrub is found in coastal and inland areas of the state and our only endemic bird, the Florida Scrub-Jay, is found here along with beach mice and gopher tortoises. Sandhills are present in the panhandle to the central peninsula and contain longleaf pine, oak, and grasses. You might also see gopher tortoises here as well as the non-migratory Florida sandhill crane and the migratory greater sandhill crane that spends winters here. 

The sandhill crane can also be seen in the dry prairie habitats north and west of Lake Okeechobee. These prairies are flat areas with grasses and shrubs, saw palmettos, and no trees. Along with the sandhill crane, you might see burrowing owls, the Florida grasshopper sparrow, and the white-tailed kite. 

The more hydric conditions throughout the state are seen in freshwater marshes, wet prairies, swamps, springs, and mangroves. Freshwater marsh and wet prairie are treeless wetlands maintained by frequent flooding and fire. In these areas, Florida panthers, herons, and the Florida bonneted bat are seen. Springs are openings from Floridan aquifer where limestone dissolved. Here you can experience clear water and constant temperature and in the winter, manatees use these for warm-water refuges. Mangroves are dense forests of mangrove trees in coastal areas, which are extremely important nurseries for marine animals as well the roots being used for shelter by birds. 

Alachua Conservation Trust has 14 public preserves where you can explore multiple of these habitats all just in North Central Florida. Here is a snapshot of a few preserves and their habitats.

Prairie Creek Preserve

Flatwoods, mesic and hydric hammocks, and wetlands that include cypress swamps, depression marshes, and blackwater streams. Photo by Alison Blakeslee.

Tuscawilla Preserve

Prairie, creeks, mesic forests, and hardwood hammock surrounding views of Lake Tuscawilla. Photo by Kim Davidson.

Serenola Forest Preserve

An example of a hardwood hammock. Photo by Alison Blakeslee.

Santa Fe River Preserve

River habitat, high bluffs, floodplain forests with species such as longleaf pines, sand post oaks, wild azaleas, tupelo and cypress. Photo by Kim Davidson.

Little Orange Creek Preserve

Characterized by swamp, pinelands, hammock, and prairie, basin swamp. Photo by Alison Blakeslee.

Sawdust Springs

A beautiful Florida spring and surrounding river floodplain forest. Photo by Alison Blakeslee.

Fox Pen Preserve

Longleaf sandhill habitat, flatwoods, wetlands, mesic hammock, and shoreline. Photo by Alison Blakeslee.

Exploring the wide variety of habitats seen in Florida is a fun way to get to know this state more. Check out the rest of ACT’s public preserves to explore even more of wild Florida.

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Banner image: Fox squirrel at Marjorie A. Hoy Memorial Park at Orange Lake Overlook. Photo by Sean Dowie.

Farewell Spring Natural Resource Interns!

By Amy Compare

ACT’s Natural Resource Management Interns have completed their spring semester! Our hard-working interns - Maylen, Molly, Lilly, Ashley, Thomas, Logan, Taylor, Rebecca, and Ally - collectively contributed over 1,500 hours of work to ACT over the past four months. Throughout the semester, interns learned how to use a variety of hand and power tools, learned about flora and fauna in North Central Florida, and worked tirelessly on land management projects on our preserves. They assisted with invasive treatment, hardwood reduction, trail maintenance, ground cover restoration, Gopher tortoise surveys, and prescribed fire at several ACT preserves including Little Orange Creek, Fox Pen, Orange Lake Overlook, Santa Fe River, and Santa Fe Springs. They also rerouted part of the Blue Trail at Prairie Creek Preserve and built kiosks for some of the ACT preserves opening later this year!

Spring interns also had the chance to learn from ACT staff and external partners about different areas of conservation and non-profits, which contributed to a more well-rounded natural resource experience. They learned how to write prescriptions for prescribed fire, learned about forestry concepts and participated on a timber cruise, participated in pre- and post-fire photo-monitoring and bird surveys, learned about grant writing, and were able to look at cave crayfish with an FWC biologist. Additionally, three interns lead invasive removal work parties for Gainesville’s Great Invader Raider Rally, removing invasive coral ardisia at Serenola Preserve and Caesar weed at Prairie Creek Preserve.

Here are what some of the interns had to say about their experience:

Internship applications for the fall 2024 semester will open at the beginning of June and close the first Friday, July 5th. The fall 2024 internship will run from the last week in August through the first week in December. For more information on the Natural Resource internship, check out our website here. If you have questions about the Natural Resource Management Internship, please reach out to Amy Compare here.

ACT’s intern programs are supported by people like you, who see the value in providing the next generation of conservation professionals with the tools, experiences, and skills to steward and protect land.

If you would like to support the growth and development of young natural resource professionals, please consider donating to the Internship Fund in Memory of Ryan Crowder & Julia Reiskind here.

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250 Years Later Bartram’s Travels Continue to Inspire Conservation

by Jeffrey Forbes

April 2024 marks the 250th anniversary of William Bartram’s travels to and through beautiful North Central Florida in 1774. Bartram, a Quaker, naturalist, botanist and explorer from Philadelphia visited Florida on a commission from physician, Dr. John Fothergill of London, England who financed the young man’s excursions. Fothergill and others paid Bartram to collect and catalogue strange and rare foreign plants for inclusion in their large and beautiful estate gardens. An aspiring artist honing his skill, Bartram drew and recorded all that he saw around him.

Bartram actually made an earlier trip to Florida with his father John, botanist to the King of England, in 1765. This earlier adventure was made to give the world its first detailed accounting of the St. Johns River, with descriptions of its climate, geography, plants and animals. The father and son team stuck to the river’s immediate environs, but the younger Bartram became intrigued with stories of the interior lands he heard at John Spalding’s two riverside trading posts. Florida frontiersman spoke of a great level savannah fifty miles to the west where the waters disappeared into holes in the earth.

Bartram’s map of Alachua Savannah, known today as Paynes Prairie.

Returning to Florida, Bartram made his way back to Spalding’s stores and fell in with a trading party setting out for the Alachua region. A trader by the name of Job Wiggens accompanied the excited adventurer. Travelling west, the party bedded down for the night at present day Cowpen Lake. Still heading westward, the band traversed forests and marshes. In his recounting of the entire trip, commonly known as Travels (1791), Bartram details the many gopher tortoises and their “great dens” encountered as they crossed the sandy hills east of Alachua. And then, “continuing eight or nine miles through this sublime forest, we entered on an open forest of lofty pines and oaks, on gently swelling sand hills, and presently saw the lake (Cuscowilla), its waters sparkling through the open groves.”   

Photo: Tuscawilla Preserve by Kim Davidson.

Arriving at Cuscowilla, present day Tuscawilla Preserve, Bartram made note of the 800-year-old Cameron Indian Mound, the remnants of which can still be seen in the Town of Micanopy’s Native American Heritage Park. Shortly after, he and company were welcomed into the Seminole village of Cuscowilla and presented to chief Ahaya-“The Cowkeeper” who was necessarily interested in their business and purpose. When it was explained that Bartram was collecting plant specimens, the Seminole headman saluted the naturalist with the name Puc Puggy or flower hunter and Bartram was given permission and protection to travel over the region on his errand. From Cuscowilla Bartram and friends travelled to the Great Alachua Savanna, today’s Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where he was overwhelmed with its beauty and grandeur.

In his Travels William Bartram gave us the first written record of the Alachua region: its flora, its fauna, its topography and its people. The mission of the Alachua Conservation Trust is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida. ACT is proud that at least two of our preserves are documented Bartram visitation sites, Little Orange Creek and Tuscawilla. The lofty, virgin longleaf pine forest may be gone and the land may be fragmented by asphalt covered roadways, but if we are fulfilling our mission, we’d like to think that Wiggens or Ahaya or Bartram could be dropped onto one of these preserves today and still recognize them as places they knew and loved.                  

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Banner image: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park by Kim Davidson

Fall 2023 Natural Resource Internship Recap

Congratulations to the Fall 2023 Natural Resource Interns - Olivia, Danny, Katya, Kaitlin, Preston, Sofia, Jesus, and Lauren - on completing their semester-long experience with ACT! Collectively, these 8 interns gave nearly 1400 hours of their time to assisting ACT with various land management projects on our preserves and on private lands. This semester, interns built a boardwalk at the end of the Orange Trail at Little Orange Creek; worked on burn site preparations by reducing hardwoods at Little Orange Creek, Prairie Creek Preserve, and Fox Pen Preserve; completed a reroute of the connector trail at Blues Creek Ravine Preserve; and treated invasives at Orange Lake Overlook, Santa Fe River Preserve, LEAFS, and Prairie Creek Preserve.

Additionally, they learned about safe use and maintenance of power tools like chainsaws and brushcutters, learned about forestry and completed a timber cruise, wrote a fire prescription, learned about cave crayfish from biologist Paul Moler, collected Lopsided Indiangrass seeds at Goethe State Forest, completed a survey for endangered Etoniah Rosemary at Etoniah Creek State Forest, helped dig graves at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, networked with private landowners, and learned about grant-writing.

Interns have found meaning in the experiences they gained over the semester. Our interns explain in their own words what they took out of ACT’s Natural Resource Management Internship: 

“The ACT Natural Resources Internship Program is one of the greatest places to develop not only a strong skill set, but also strong connections with peers and professionals in the field of natural resources. I have spent two separate semesters interning with ACT and have not felt like a moment was wasted. I have come out of both semesters feeling worlds more confident in my skills, and feeling significantly more knowledgeable. I have nothing but high praise to give ACT  and I strongly recommend the opportunity to everyone who has any interest. ”

— Preston, Spring ‘22, Fall ‘23 Intern

“In essence, the Alachua Conservation Trust has helped me to rekindle a love and deep appreciation for the world around me. Through the work of the natural resource internship program, I’ve been able to acquire relevant skills pertaining to the natural resource world. This includes those of prescribed fire, grant-writing, and fieldwork. Most importantly, I’ve learned the skills needed to work independently and in team environments. I can say with confidence that  I would love to pursue a career in the natural resource world. Thanks to ACT and their wonderful staff, this goal is more obtainable and possible. ”

— Fall ‘23 Intern

“I had fun at ACT this semester. I learned a lot and will build on these skills. I made food friends and felt good about the work we were doing. ACT is a great organization made up of great people. ”

— Danny, Fall ‘23 Intern

“My internship with ACT gave me so much valuable information regarding natural resource and land management. I learned how to effectively use a variety of power tools, identify plant species, properly manage invasive plants, and even how prescribed fire works and how to write a fire prescription. This is in addition to learning how ACT operates in things like grant-writing and volunteer events. I’m incredibly grateful for my time at ACT and will use the information I learned here to further my environmental career. ”

— Katya, Fall ‘23 Intern

“The past semester with ACT has been an incredible and invaluable experience. The support and guidance from the ACT staff reminded me of the value of conservation and reassured me that this is the right field for me to pursue. The countless new fieldwork skills, as well as the supportive environment, provided me with confidence that I will carry into the future. Some of the most beneficial skills I learned were wildlife habitat management herbicide application, and prescribed fire. I really enjoyed the opportunity to consistently work with a crew of conservation focused individuals. The structure of the internship, including visiting different preserves every day provides the opportunity to experience many ecosystems and learn how land management is different between environments. Overall, I am so grateful for this internship opportunity and the skills and confidence it provided me. ”

— Lauren, Fall ‘23 Intern

“I really enjoyed my time as a Natural Resource Intern for the Fall 2023 semester. I learned a lot of new skills, such as writing prescriptions for prescribed fires, using power tools, applying and mixing herbicide to control certain plant species, and identifying plant communities. As interns, we also got to interact with a lot of professionals and learn about potential career opportunities. Everyone at ACT was very welcoming and throughout my time here, I feel like I learned more about what I would like to do for my future career. One of the most memorable moments for me was seeing the difference from the first time I used the chainsaw and how much better I got throughout the internship. ”

— Jesus, Fall ‘23 Intern

“My time at ACT is one I will never forget. I’ve spent the last two semesters here growing as a person thanks to this program. I’ve gained confidence in skills I’d never thought I’d have: using a chainsaw, working on prescribed fires, and learning tons about plants. Better yet, I’ve been welcomed into a community of caring and knowledgeable people. I loved working as an intern at ACT more than words can describe, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. ”

— Olivia, Summer/Fall ‘23 Intern

Internship applications for the Spring 2024 semester are closed, but applications for the Summer 2024 internship will open at the beginning of March. The Summer 2024 internship will run from May 20th through August 8th. For more information on the Natural Resource internship, check out our website here. If you have questions about the Natural Resource Management Internship, please reach out to Amy Compare by email here. 

If you would like to support the growth and development of young natural resource professionals, consider donating to the Internship Fund In Memory of Ryan Crowder & Julia Reiskind online here or by mail to:

Alachua Conservation Trust
7204 SE County Road 234
Gainesville, FL 32641

Bringing Nature to the Next Generation

Bringing Nature to the Next Generation

By Marilyn Young

“I found one!” she cries as the long seine net is dragged up onto the muddy shore. With sheer delight, an inquisitive seven-year old plucks a tiny crustacean out of a net and drops it into an observation water bucket for a closer look. With her face pressed to the bucket at a distance of less than an inch, she carefully inspects her find – a two-inch crawfish with long antennae and wriggly legs crawling about its temporary habitat. The junior “scientist” is one of a group of excited youth who attended the Freshwater Fish and Critters event hosted by the Alachua Conservation Trust at the Santa Fe River Preserve in October 2023. The group was led by Howard Jelks and scientists from the U.S.  Geological Society and attended by a mixture of environmental students, science professionals, and nature lovers. 

One young scientist helps USGS staff collect critters from the sein net.

The Santa Fe River Preserve protects 1,067 acres of land along the Santa Fe River in Alachua, Florida. The preserve is owned and managed by ACT and is one of several that are open to the public. Events such as the Freshwater Fish and Critters event are held by ACT to create experiences in special spaces like the Santa Fe River Preserve with those interested in learning about Florida’s diverse ecosystems or who just want to spend a day surrounded by nature. On this particular day, attendees were provided the special opportunity to learn about the various fish, crustacean, insect and bivalve species living in the preserve from experts in the field. Eager attendees received a crash course in a hands-on classroom in the woods complete with nets, observation tanks, and training manuals. 

Questions were fielded by the scientists before the inquisitive group traveled down the shrubby banks of the Santa Fe River to the first stop under the tree canopy shading a backwoods creek with shallow tannic water and dark brown slippery mud. The seine nets were dragged through the dark shallow water and revealed a glimpse of what lies beneath the calm surface. Young participants were first on the scene and were reaching into nets before the leading scientists could even reach the banks. Wiggling, small shiny fish were collected with little fingers and placed into buckets for later identification. With toes now wet, the group was unfazed by the trek through the water to reach a larger span of the Santa Fe River, about 40 wide and 2-3 feet deep. 

Participants transfer their critters into the observation tanks.

The river banks were a sandy-muddy mix and a distinct northern flow could be seen on the water’s surface. The group, to an extent, patiently, waited on shore for the scientists to drag the seine nets through the dark water and haul in a variety of small fish species, aquatic insect larvae, crawfish, freshwater mussels and clams. Most species were endemic to the area with exception of the Asian clams that, unfortunately, outnumbered the native bivalves 3:1. Upon satisfactory sample collections, the group returned to their outdoor classroom for in-depth discussion on the various species discovered. Even if the attendees do not recall all the details explained by the USGS Scientists, that day on the Santa Fe River was sure to leave a lasting impression. “We packed a lot of information into our session, but hope people came away with a greater appreciation for river ecosystems.”  Howard Jelks, ret. Research Fish Biologist, USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.

Howard Jelks pictured with one of the event’s young scientists.

Being able to experience and enjoy nature is key to appreciating it and hopefully fostering the desire for future preservation. Today’s youth are vulnerable to nature disconnects being surrounded by technology and seeing the world through computer screens. Opportunities and programs such as this event and the teen-focused Young Leaders program hosted by ACT, can help bridge the disconnect and foster a new generation of nature lovers and future conservationists. If you have a younger member in your life, consider taking them on an outdoor adventure or spend an hour or two on a nice sunny day listening to the birds chirping in the morning, breathing the salty sea air at the beach or strolling down a shady path at a nearby forest. As Floridians, we are very fortunate to have a variety of natural spaces to visit and engaging our youth can help facilitate the next generation of conservationists. As a wise Native American Chief Seattle once said, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

A Summer of Inspiration and Impact: My Time as an Outreach Intern

Debriana Love

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of the dynamic team at Alachua Conservation Trust, contributing to their mission of preserving Florida's natural spaces and fostering a stronger connection between the community and the environment. Through my role as an Outreach and Events Intern, I was able to immerse myself in a world of conservation, education, and community engagement.

Before joining ACT, I was aware of their commitment to sustainability and ecosystem preservation. However, my involvement in their Timeline project provided me with a deeper understanding of their approach to conserving Florida’s delicate ecosystems and community engagement. I discovered ACT has helped preserve over 56,000 acres since its incorporation in 1988. Despite its brief presence in the realm of conservation, ACT has emerged as a pivotal accredited land trust, playing a vital role in protecting our unique ecosystems. Most notably, ACT collaborates with landowners to protect acres through conservation easements, which highlights the importance of community involvement.

I gained a firsthand appreciation for ACT’s dedication to protecting natural lands from development and degradation. Through experiences like tabling at Rockwood Park, exploring the trails at Prairie Creek Preserve, swimming at Rock Bluff Springs, and hiking at Fox Pen Preserve, I witnessed the diverse ecosystems that ACT works to preserve. During my internship, it became evident that establishing trust and respect within the community is paramount for success. It’s a great reminder that change begins with fostering meaningful relationships. My contributions, such as crafting newsletters and press releases to inform the community about their local ecosystems, were ways that I helped with engagement during my internship. Contributing to projects like the Rockwood Park Plant Walk which is aimed to foster community engagement by connecting people with local spaces and teaching them about local flora, added to the impact.

A highlight of my internship was collaborating closely with the Young Leaders of Wild Florida program. Meeting these enthusiastic and determined young individuals, eager to connect with nature and understand the importance of conserving our natural resources, was truly inspiring. This program offers a unique avenue for young adults to cultivate their potential and learn how to make a tangible difference. As I observed the young leader’s enthusiastic participation in these experiences, I was reminded of the power of connecting people with nature. It’s not just about conserving the land; it’s about igniting a passion for its protection and instilling a sense of responsibility.

As my internship draws to a close, I'm filled with a sense of excitement and commitment. The sincere mentorship and hands-on experience I gained during this time are invaluable. Moving forward, I'm eager to continue supporting ACT's endeavors, whether through volunteering or attending their events. I hope to find more experiences with environmental education, where I can teach others about conservation and wildlife. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had and look forward to embracing the role of a steward of the land and creating a sense of inspiration for others.

Summer 2023 Natural Resource Internship Wrap-up

The best roots taken out of the trail at Rock Bluff Springs!

ACT Natural Resource Management interns just finished their summer semester! Over the course of twelve weeks, interns learned many new skills, had a variety of land management experiences, and worked on many projects throughout the summer. Interns learned how to use hand tools, like loppers, pulaskis, council rakes, and rogue hoes, as well as power tools, like brushcutters, hedge trimmers, and chainsaws! Interns learned about prescribed fire and how to communicate on a fire line, maintained fire lines, and even were able to participate on a fire!

Throughout the semester, the interns learned how to ID many plants commonly found in North Central Florida.

The interns contributed to many projects on our preserves, including installing a handrail on the bridge and treating coral ardisia at Blue’s Creek Ravine, installing a handrail on a bridge and clearing a new trail at Santa Fe River Preserve South, treating Tropical Soda Apple at Orange Lake Overlook and lygodium at Santa Fe River Preserve South and LEAFS, removing hardwood trees around legacy longleaf pines at Saarinen, treating hardwood trees around young longleaf pines and helping to install stairs on an observation tower at Little Orange Creek, installing a new gate at Santa Fe Springs, timber cruising at Fox Pen. Additionally, interns were able to dig a grave and participate in a burial at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, both of which interns found to be a meaningful experience.

Blacklining on a prescribed fire!

Interns also worked with other natural resource professionals outside of ACT. At the end of June, interns assisted Florida Audubon, DEP, and FWC with annual Florida Scrub-Jay surveys by participating in Jay Watch at the Greenway Triangle in Marion County. Interns also met up with Paul Moler to look at cave crayfish at Herzog cave, and were able to help private landowners treat hardwood species on their properties and learn more about conservation of private lands.

The Summer 2023 Natural Resource Interns found meaning, community, and skill-building experiences in their time at ACT. Below, interns from this past semester share about their time in the internship:

Being able to gain real life experience in the field applying what I’ve learned in the classroom was incredibly valuable. I really enjoyed my time with ACT’s staff and my fellow interns. Every week, we worked on a project that had a direct correlation with something I’ve learned in school. The internship has been a wonderful supplemental experience to lend to my education. - Jazz, Summer ‘23 Intern, Forest Resource Conservation Major

My time at ACT drastically changed my view of conservation. As a wildlife ecology student, my world had been just animals. Through ACT, it has expanded to animals' habitats, why they’re important, and how to manage them. I gained skills like tool use and management, how to create a fireline, and pesticide use. I looked forward to every day and enjoyed the connections I made with fellow interns. This program has given me skills I know will set me up for success. - Olivia, Summer ‘23 Intern, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Major

Interns learned how to use chainsaws!

This internship has taught me a lot about fieldwork. I really enjoy how it introduced me to new tools and land management methods. Every day in the internship was valuable as we would either learn a new skill or build upon a previously learned skill. I got to meet and with other interns and ACT staff in land management practices and got to learn a lot from them. - Elizabeth, Summer ‘23 Intern, Natural Resources Conservation Major

My experience working as an intern with ACT was multidisciplinary and very hands-on. I’ve gained a variety of skills such as using power tools, applying herbicide with various techniques, participating in prescribed burns, and performing trail maintenance. Furthermore, I became familiar with the many preserves managed by ACT and witnessed the hard work that goes into their maintenance. I was fortunate to work alongside like-minded professionals in natural resource management - they gave me plenty of guidance as I navigate a career in conservation, and I will never forget my experience as an intern here. - Ryan, Summer ‘23 Intern, Biology Major

The internship was an arduous, but fun, journey through the Florida summer. It was a great learning experience that allowed me to dive head-first into the world of land management and the conservation of natural resources. As an aspiring ecological engineer, it was also a great opportunity to engage with different Florida ecosystems and be part of what I eventually want to protect. From the simple things like pulling out invasive species to the more complex things such as prescribed fire, it was an experience and a memory I will keep. The ability to do things that I would never have done on my own, such as bird surveys, felt amazing and truly deepened my connection with the wild. - Summer ‘23 Intern

Interns learned about forestry techniques to measure trees, including how to use clinometers.

My experience with the ACT internship program has prepared me for future careers in Natural Resource Conservation. Through the internship, I learned a plethora of new skills, like herbicide application, that I know will aid me in my future endeavors. Beyond the great educational aspect, the ACT internship program provided me with a safe and fun work environment that allowed me to make positive, lifelong memories. Many of the lessons I learned during my time with ACT were meaningful and I will continue to use these lessons well beyond the program. - Kiersten, Summer ‘23 Intern, Natural Resource Conservation Major

Internship applications for the Fall 2023 semester have closed, but Spring 2024 semester will open at the beginning of November and close the first Friday of December (Friday, December 1st). The Spring 2024 internship will run from the 2nd week in January through the last week in April. If you have questions about the Natural Resource Management Internship, please reach out to Amy Compare (amy@alachuaconservationtrust.org).

If you would like to support the growth and development of young natural resource professionals, consider donating to the Internship Fund In Memory of Ryan Crowder & Julia Reiskind.