North Florida Land Trust proudly announces the 2017 Volunteer of the Year

Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 30, 2017 – North Florida Land Trust is honored to recognize two people this year as their 2017 Volunteer of the Year. This year the award goes to Forrest and Nancy Penny. Since becoming volunteers in 2014, the couple has dedicated dozens of hours on numerous NFLT projects and attended many fundraising and community events. In 2015, the couple worked on removing invasive species from Big Talbot Island. Because of their time and efforts, NFLT was able to successfully complete this project.

“We are so thankful for volunteers like Forrest and Nancy,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT. “Without their dedication and enthusiasm for helping our mission to conserve Florida’s lands, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful in our initiatives. It’s always a pleasure to see their smiling faces at every event.”

McCarthy said Forrest and Nancy Penny are always eager to sign up to help, whether it’s an annual fundraiser like the Fish Fry or Salt Marsh Brewgrass Festival or special events like the fundraising event for the Spanish-American War Fort. They also volunteer for the quarterly roadside clean-ups on Big Talbot Island and in 2017, the couple committed to join Team Terrapin, a volunteer team dedicated to monitor diamondback terrapin nesting sites near Big Talbot Island and Sawpit Islands. The two devoted more than 40 hours in the summer to monitor the terrapin nests. The continual monitoring of these turtles throughout the year is crucial to maintain protection of the species within the region.

“Volunteering with North Florida Land Trust is the perfect way for us to give back to our community,” said Forrest Penny. “We especially love helping preserve the terrapin nests. Just knowing that you are helping preserve a species in your region is such a rewarding feeling.”

Forest and Nancy Penny will be honored during NFLT’s annual meeting set for Feb. 13, 2018, which will include keynote speaker and former Governor Bob Graham. The event is a chance for NFLT to give the community and supporters a report on their accomplishments and to award volunteers and supporters for their efforts on behalf of NFLT’s mission.

About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a non-profit organization who serves as a champion of environmental protection primarily in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Union and Volusia counties. NFLT was founded in 1999 and has protected thousands of acres of environmentally significant land including property at Big Talbot Island, the River Branch Preserve, Pumpkin Hill State Park, Moccasin Slough, along the St. Mary’s River and other valued natural areas predominantly in Northeast Florida. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with private landowners and other public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations. For more information, visit www.northfloridalandtrust.org.

North Florida Land Trust
2038 Gilmore Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204

This release was published on openPR.