Calusa Land Trust holds annual meeting
With a standing room only crowd, the Calusa Land Trust held its 48th Annual Meeting Sunday, Jan. 21. A soggy Fritts Park caused the event to be relocated to the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church.
The meeting was conducted by President Robert Ballard. He summarized the stewardship efforts in maintaining over 2,400 acres of preserved lands, particularly in light of the challenges posed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Committee chairpersons tendered their reports and the general membership voted to re-elect seven incumbent Board of Directors members: John Kendall, Marty Kendall, Cheryl King, Carolyn Murphey, Judy Ott, Frank Potter and Joan Rosenberg.
Recognition was given to retiring Board member Bill Hummer and special thoughts were rendered to the late Nancy Weir, who died unexpectedly last November.
In a surprise recognition, past presidents Brian Cotterill and John Kendall welcomed Robert Ballard to the “past” status and presented him with a crystal trophy in appreciation of his five years’ service as president.
Upcoming events were highlighted including its major fundraiser, The Great Calusa Rubber Duck Race, to be held on Saturday, March 2, at the newly opened Marker 3 Coastal Cantina in St. James City. The proceeds from the duck race are utilized to support its mission to protect the natural diversity and beauty of Pine Island by acquiring, managing and preserving in perpetuity environmentally sensitive or historically important land and to foster appreciation for and understanding of the environment and its heritage. More details are available on the CLT website, calusalandtrust.org.