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Oakland Nature Preserve 

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Board of Directors 

Photo Jim Helmers

Jim Helmers / President

Occupation
Forest Land Manager with Rocky Creek Timber, LLC and Retired Emergency Physician

Affiliations
The Longleaf Alliance, Florida Forestry Association, Florida Native Plant Society, Master Tree Farmer, Certified Prescribed Burn Manager

Areas of Expertise
Forest Land and Restoration Management, Medicine and Chemistry

Committee(s)
Executive, Finance, Restoration, Events and Fundraising

Rick Polland

Rick Polland / Past President

Occupation
Former Town Commissioner Town of Oakland

Committee(s)
Executive, Finance

Affiliation


 

Vacant  /  Vice President

Ryan Walley / Treasurer



Occupation

Former banker, current Cubmaster


Affiliations

Cub Scout Pack 978 of Oakland FL, Hull Island HOA


Areas of expertise

Youth development, fundraising, community involvement


Committee(s)

Finance, Executive

Maryann Camacho-Viera / Secretary

Occupation
Environmental Educator

Areas of Expertise
Native Plants, Restoration, Education

Affiliation

Florida Native Plant Society


Committee(s)

Executive, Events and Fundraising, Restoration

Photo Jim Peterson

Jim Peterson

Occupation
Environmental Scientist with St Johns River Water Management District

Areas of Expertise
Aquatic flora and fauna, environmentalist, especially aquatic plants and birds

Committee(s)
Events & Fundraising

 

Photo Doug Skurski

Doug Skurski 

Occupation
Biological Resources Director for Environmental Science Associates (ESA)

Affiliations
CFAEP/FAEP/NAEP, Society of Wetland Scientists

Areas of Expertise
Wetland and wildlife assessments and regulatory coordination/approvals; certified Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS); FFWCC-permitted gopher tortoise agent; FDEP-qualified storm water management inspector

Committee(s)
Restoration 

Photo Krista Carter

Krista Carter 

Occupation
Director, Healthy West Orange

Areas of Expertise
Community

Committee(s)
Events and Fundraising



Photo Craig Duxbury

Craig Duxbury

Occupation
Environmental Scientist, PLT

Areas of Expertise
Water Quality, Aquatic Ecology

Committee(s)
Restoration 

 Photo oakland Nature Preserve Logo

Paul Ek

Occupation
Environmental Scientist, St Johns River Water Management District

Committee(s)
Events and Fundraising

Becki Lynch

Occupation

Retired Vice-President, Educational Services for Kirkwood Community College, Iowa


Affiliations

Bloom & Grow Garden Society, Co-Chair, Pollinator Power Project

Friends of Lake Apopka 

Orange Audubon

Florida Wildflower Foundation

Florida Native Plant Society


Area of Expertise

Conservation planting/practices related to Pollinator Habitats


Committee(s)

Events and Fundraising - Chair

Photo Jackie Rolly

Jackie Rolly 

Occupation
Retired Program Manager, U.S. Navy, Civil Service

Affiliations
Member Florida Native Plant Society (former State and Chapter Officer), Instructor Florida Master Naturalist Program, IFAS

Areas of Expertise
Florida Native Plants

Committee(s)
Restoration - Chair, Events and Fundraising

 

Madison Szathmary

Occupation

Executive Director, Keep Orlando Beautiful


Affiliations
Keep America Beautiful

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (former)


Areas of Expertise
Animal Husbandry and management, conservation education, volunteer management, community engagement and strategic direction

Committee(s)
Events and Fundraising

 

Aaron Dagen

Occupation



Affiliations


Areas of Expertise

Committee(s)

Photo Peggy Lantz

Peggy Lantz (Emeritus)

Occupation
Author, Editor

Affiliations

Florida Native Plant Society 

Areas of Expertise
Florida Native Plants and Animals 

Committee(s)
Restoration, Events and Fundraising 

Frank Merritt (Emeritus)

Occupation
Retired Investment Banker

Areas of Expertise
Finance

Committee(s)
Executive, Finance

Photo Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas 

 

Founding Board Member / Past-President 

Occupation
Owner, Biosphere Consulting

Areas of Expertise
Biologist, Friends of Lake Apopka Founder

Jim Thomas believed that all life is precious and that everything is connected and we are all indebted to him for teaching us that no battle is to big or to small when we work together to do our part to restore and care for native habitat and the wildlife that live here. 

 

Interested in Serving on our Board?

Expectations for board members are as follows:

  • Maintaining a current Preserve membership.

  • Attend all board meetings (in person or via conference call); Prior notification of absences is expected.

  • Volunteer at least 24 hours per year contributing your Time, Talent or Treasure.

  • Be dedicated and committed to carrying out the mission of the Preserve within the community.

  • Take an active part in planning the Preserve’s budget and contribute time or talent to at least one fundraising event per year.

  • Submit to a background check as requested by the Executive Committee.

  • Act in accordance with the Bylaws and follow all of the Preserve’s policies.

  • Behave in a morally responsible manner that does not reflect negatively on the organization.

  • Treat each other with civility, dignity, and mutual respect.

  • Abide with the decisions of the majority, acting through a democratic process.


Florida Communities Trust LogoFunding for the acquisition of this site was provided by the Florida Communities Trust using Preservation 2000 funds.

 

  

Call: +1 407-905-0054


Address:
P O Box 841

747 Machete Trail

Oakland, FL 34760


A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

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