CLT holds annual meeting
The Calusa Land Trust was forced by inclement weather to move its 41st annual meeting from Fritt’s Park indoors to the Lutheran Church Sunday.
The CLT was founded in 1976. Its mission “is to protect the natural diversity and beauty of the Pine Island region by acquiring, managing and preserving in perpetuity environmentally sensitive or historically important land and to foster appreciation for and understanding of the environment and our past.”
More than 100 members were present for the meeting.
Reports from treasurer, fundraising, membership, newsletter, land acquisition and merchandise were heard and voted on.
Ed Chapin gave a report on the Peter Ordway Mangrove Adventures. These were started by Ordway, who was director of the Land Trust in the early 1990s.
“These adventures were a way for him to share his enthusiasm for exploring the mangroves by canoe and kayak,” Chapin said. “Over the years this has grown into a ‘paddling’ community interested in preserving the beautiful waterfront preserves of Pine Island.”
The Membership Report indicated that there were over 1,700 members total with about 500 active members that have contributed funds in the last 12 months.
As of September 2016, the total assets of the CLT were $2,983,916.
Continuing board members are Brian Cotterill, John Kendall, Carolyn Murphey, Judy Ott, Frank Potter, Joan Rosenberg and Rubye Woodhead. Members for reelection were Jaren Cernicky, Ed Chapin, Rad Hazen, Cathy House, Bill Hummer and Sonny Koutsoutis.
Long-time board member Greg Lignelli retired from the board and was replaced by Robert Ballard.
“I want to thank retiring board member Greg Lignelli,” Kendall, the CLT president, said. “Greg is really great guy. Remember, Greg was a neurosurgeon, which I can barely spell. Greg served one two-year term (2015 and 2016) on CLT’s board. Greg is best known for his wise, soft tone and he was most instrumental in literally forcing the board to consider, and then act on, creating and instituting an investment/endowment policy. I really want to thank Greg for his service to the Calusa Land Trust.”
Ballard is a 5th generation Florida native born in Fort Myers and raised in Bokeelia and on Pine Island Road. He spent his teenage years working as a ranch hand and a commercial fisherman before starting his working career as a draftsman at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach. Ballard and his wife live in Fort Myers when not at their house in Bokeelia. He is a member of the Calusa Land Trust, member of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Citizens Advisory Committee representing the CLT, member of the Board of Directors of the Pioneer Club of Lee County, and a member of the Southwest Florida Historical Society. He is a graduate of Fort Myers Senior High School and holds a B.S. degree from the University Systems of New Hampshire.
The hour-long meeting was closed at 2 p.m., lunch was provided by Winn-Dixie and Frank Tuma provided music.
Upcoming CLT events:
Jan. 28 – The Calusa Land Trust will conduct its annual Alice Ackerman Rummage Sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Fritts Park in Bokeelia. This is a rummage sale you don’t want to miss. There will be “treasures” from all over Pine Island. Fritts park is located off Stringfellow Road, just north of the new fire station on Beach Daisy Lane. A sign will be on the corner to point the way. All the proceeds from this rummage sale go to The Calusa Land Trust to continue its mission of purchasing and protecting environmentally sensitive land here on Pine Island.
Feb.11 – Work party at Fritts Park, Cleanup from rummage sale, 9 a.m.to noon;
Feb. 18 – Annual Garden Club Garden Gala at Phillips Park
March 4 – The Great Calusa Duck Race at Low Key Tiki.
For additional information, email the Calusa Land Trust @ info@calusalandtrust.org