Florida's Gulf Coast region is a rich and unique landscape. From the coastal mangroves and hammocks to the pine forests and prairies far inland, the natural bounty of this place is astounding - and deeply imperiled. Within our lifetime, much of it may be plowed under, paved over, or returned to the sea. We are the generation that must act. Working together with partners, Conservation Foundation is protecting our region's natural landscapes. Conservation Foundation's Strategic Plan 2015-2020 charts our roadmap for achieving our vision through the following goals: Goal 1: Protect the most environmentally sensitive lands and special places in perpetuity through creativity, innovation, and the use of best practices. Goal 2: Citizens throughout the region are fully informed about and engaged in conservation. Goal 3: The essential resources are in place to ensure our impact and perpetuity.

Protect selected lands of significance to our communities with scenic and/or recreation value. Conserve and restore key ecosystem components, such as wildlife corridors, coastal uplands and riparian areas. Conserve and restore unique and imperiled habitats and species. Conserve and restore lands adjacent to public lands and linking conserved lands. Work with conservation partners to define a set of broad conservation messages. Educate elected officials on land conservation benefits, cost savings, and priorities. Develop diverse, flexible, and sufficient funding to support short and long term operational needs. Strengthen tour brand and our communities' awareness of our brand. Attract and retain effective volunteer leaders and professional staff. Develop board representation and leadership to build our presence and influence throughout our service area. Cultivate relationships with key decision makers to assure a seat at the policy table.

Conservation Foundation is guided by a strategic plan that establishes our conservation priorities: conserve habitat for imperiled plants and animals, protect shoreline and provide water access, connect conserved lands for people and animals, and provide unique, highly desired recreational access for the public. Our organization is led by a diverse board of experienced professionals who are committed to our success and who invest their time and talent helping us secure our future. Christine Johnson leads the organization as its President for these last 7 years and is joined by a strong management team with extensive experience in land protection, fundraising & marketing. Conservation Foundation is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent commission of land conservation experts. The accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is working to accomplish the following by 2020: Tatum Sawgrass is preserved and connected to the Myakka River. Tarpon Point Landing amenities are expanded and enhanced. In-holdings within the Myakka Island are protected. Mileage of trails- both greenways and blueways- are increased. Implement the Pine Island Preserve park plan. Double visitation to Bay Preserve and Pine Island Preserve. Annual programming attracts 500 new visitors each year and engages 20% of donors annually. Improve entrance and access for Bay Preserve. Establish a $3-5 million opportunity fund that will facilitate rapid action to secure priority properties. Maintain a robust annual giving and planned giving program. Our brand is well known and valued. Our donor base has tripled.

We continue to make progress with our landscape-scale, conservation project to protect the Myakka River watershed, benefiting both wildlife and people. Our project will have far reaching impact in Manatee and Sarasota Counties and beyond into Charlotte Harbor. It will protect and improve water quality and flood protection and preserve an array of high quality natural habitats for a range of wildlife. We acquired 91 acres from the Myakka Conservancy, ensuring their perpetual protection. We are now working to purchase a conservation easement on the 543-acre Murphy Marsh, expanding 110,000+ acres of protected land at the heart of the Myakka River river corridor. We saved 44-acres along the Braden River in what was an inspiring example of a multi-year community conservation effort. Further south, Conservation Foundation has just received a conservation easement for 1510-acre Pepper Ranch in Collier County within the Everglades watershed, forever protecting critical panther habitat.