Building Relationships with Leaders Throughout Florida

Feb 14, 2023

The Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class, consisting of high-level executives from Florida’s top corporations, leading non-profits, and elected officials, visited Tall Timbers on February 2, 2023. More than 50 leaders learned firsthand why prescribed fire is essential for ecosystem health, maintaining wildlife habitat, and mitigating wildfire. Along the way, class members participated in their first-ever prescribed burn—something they’ll never forget!

Letreze Taylor, Leadership Florida Director of Programs commented, “Our Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class visit to Tall Timbers is always one of the most popular events of our 9-month program. Tall Timbers staff are wonderful, enthusiastic ambassadors for the importance of conservation, the use of prescribed fire, and the need for research to continue protecting the natural resources that make Florida a special place.”

The Leadership Florida class isn’t the only beneficiary of the visit to Tall Timbers’ campus. Tall Timbers gains direct exposure to an influential group of leaders from throughout Florida who can spread our essential conservation and prescribed fire messages statewide.

In March, Tall Timbers also hosts annual visits by Leadership Tallahassee, Leadership Thomasville, and beginning in 2023, county commissioners from throughout Florida participating in the Florida Association of Counties Institute for County Government.

Shane Wellendorf, Director of the Tall Timbers Land Conservancy, discusses the conservation importance of bobwhite quail during one of the regular tour stops for leadership classes. Photo from Leadership Florida 2019.

About the Author
Neil Fleckenstein
For over 20 years, Neil has worked to protect the Greater Red Hills region from toll roads, coal power plants, water bottling companies, and sprawling development, while also partnering with local governments to make our communities better places to live. When he's not at a public hearing or a commission meeting, Neil can often be found hiking or biking with his wife Terri -- far from his cell phone.
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