NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Conservation efforts in Nassau County received a major boost with a $1 million anonymous donation to North Florida Land Trust, the nonprofit announced.
The gift is restricted specifically for conservation work in Nassau County and will help advance efforts to protect natural spaces for future generations, the organization said.
“We are deeply grateful for this generous gift and honored to accept it in support of conservation in Nassau County,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “Partners like this anonymous donor make it possible for us to continue protecting pieces of old Florida. These natural spaces are irreplaceable, and once they are gone, they are gone forever.”
The donation was made in memory of an individual whose identity was not disclosed to the nonprofit.
NFLT said the $1 million contribution will strengthen its ability to move quickly on future preservation projects before opportunities to protect natural lands are lost.
The gift comes amid renewed momentum for conservation efforts in the county. Last Tuesday, the Fernandina Beach City Commission unanimously approved a new memorandum of understanding with NFLT. The agreement identifies parcels of mutual interest and commits both parties to contribute funding toward their acquisition.
Under the previous agreement, which had expired in 2023, NFLT conserved several parcels that were ultimately transferred to city ownership.
Protecting land in Nassau and surrounding counties has been the focus of NFLT’s mission for more than 27 years. The nonprofit has protected more than 1,247 acres on or immediately adjacent to Amelia Island, and 6,281 acres in Nassau County as a whole.
NFLT said it is “working to conserve two more properties by year-end that will further community conservation goals on Amelia Island in Nassau County.”
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