This program is scheduled as a Zoom only event. Please register (for free) to attend.
Zoom Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3Lm7U2S
This Zoom program will feature a panel discussion about how land conservation proceeds in Florida and what that means for our bird populations in the state. The discussion will be moderated by Peter Kleinhenz. The audience will have a chance to ask questions about land conservation, the respective organizations the panelists represent, and ways forward to help our feathered friends in our state.The panelists are:
Kent L. Wimmer, AICP
Coordinator, Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape and Senior Northwest Florida Representative, Defenders of WildlifeNeil Fleckenstein - Tall Timbers Planning Coordinator
Susan Carr - Strategic Conservation Manager, Alachua Conservation Trust
Moderator Bio
Peter is a Past President of Apalachee Audubon and a conservation committee member. When he's not involved with Audubon, he works as the Partnership Programs Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station after several years as an interpretive writer for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Although his background is in herpetology, he is a birding convert. His current U.S. bird species tally sits at 580, and he has birded internationally in ten other countries.
Panelist Bios
Susan Carr, PhD
Strategic Conservation Manager, Alachua Conservation Trust, Gainesville Florida
Born in Gainesville Florida, Susan spent most of her life living in and studying the natural areas of North Florida. More recently, Susan is trying to protect natural North Florida through her work with the Alachua Conservation Trust, where she builds conservation programs and tries to match conservation-minded landowners with opportunities. Susan’s professional history varied, including previous positions with nonprofit environmental organizations, academia and the Federal government. Her educational history molded Susan’s conservation interests. She has a B.S. in Botany from the University of Florida, a M.S. in Plant Biology from Louisiana State University, then later a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from UF. Her graduate research focused on floristic diversity of fire-maintained pinelands across Florida, and fostered her deep appreciation for Florida’s natural landscapes. Susan serves on several nonprofit Boards of Directors, including the Florida Native Plant Society and Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens.
Neil Fleckenstein
Tall Timbers Planning Coordinator
Tallahassee, Florida
Neil Fleckenstein is the Tall Timbers Planning Coordinator. For the last 20 years, Neil has been responsible for community planning activities and issue-based advocacy efforts to ensure the sustainability of the Red Hills region of north Florida and southwest Georgia. He has worked in partnership with local and state agencies, non-profit partners, and landowners to conserve working rural landscapes and achieve smarter growth that benefits communities and the environment. Recently, Neil began focusing on legislative affairs in Florida and Georgia in the context of Tall Timbers strategic interests. Neil has also served as a manager for a number of projects including the Red Hills and Albany Quail Lands Economic Impact Analysis projects, the Red Hills Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services project, and the Red Hills Cost of Community Services project.
Kent Wimmer
Kent L. Wimmer, AICP
Senior Representative and Coordinator for the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape and Senior Northwest Florida Representative, Defenders of Wildlife
Tallahassee, Florida
Kent Wimmer is the coordinator of the newly designated Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape and the Senior Northwest Florida Representative for Defenders of Wildlife. Through his work, Kent advocates for protecting landscapes and wildlife habitats in northwestern Florida. His work focuses on protecting habitat for species at—risk such as sea turtles, gopher tortoises, manatees, red—cockaded woodpeckers and looking toward the return of the Florida panther.
Mr. Wimmer joined Defenders of Wildlife in 2014 and has been involved in planning, advocating and protecting greenways and conservation lands in Florida for over 30 years. Formerly, he was the Outreach Director for the Florida Water and Land Legacy Campaign and was the Florida Trail Association’s Interim Executive Director and Program and Policy Director of its Florida National Scenic Trail program. Mr. Wimmer has served as a greenways planner for the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails, 1000 Friends of Florida, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service. His volunteer service includes being President, Vice President and Secretary for the Partnership for the National Trails System, and Chair and Vice Chair of the Florida Greenways and Trails Council.
Kent is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and he earned a M.S. in Environmental Planning from Florida State University and a B.S. in Natural Resources from Ball State University.
