By Katherine Clements and Rosezetta Bobo, NRLI Class 21 Fellows

On September 22, 2021 twenty-four inspiring individuals with a true commitment to Florida’s conservation and natural resources community were specifically selected to form NRLI Class XXI. The group convened in Cedar Key, Florida “masked” in a sea of excitement after a year of various styles of isolation, stepping “outside of our bubbles” after 18 months! Yet, we quickly acclimatized and started to form connections as we began our 8-month process of learning to facilitate inclusive solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Cedar Key welcomed us with an introduction from the mayor and followed with an amazing field experience and participation in a panel that shared their journey from initial failure to successful implementation of living shorelines.

For many of us this was our first outing in a crowd with 24 new fellows, 4 instructors, and 28 masks! Scheduled to spend three days monthly for the duration of the program in six exciting locations around the state, we will be engaging in hands-on experience of understanding: 1) Algal Blooms: Linking Coastal & Inlands Systems; 2) Endangered Species: Florida Panther: 3) Agriculture Water & Florida Dairies: 4)Springs Sprawl & Septics and 5)Disaster Recovery Sustaining Florida Forests.  Most intriguing of this event was to share this space with twenty-four agency and organization representatives, leaders, and future leaders with concerns for the environment and natural resources, and to hear the introductions of the differences, similarities, strengths and concerns that we each bring to this group. Coupled with the wealth of knowledge, organization, and planning that the four instructors have designed for our future engagement ensures a powerful outcome for each participant during this journey.

During the drive home Friday afternoon, just 48 hours after arriving, so much was replayed coupled with the feeling of having learned so much in such a short time. Cedar Key and the amazing people that make it their home were an inspiration. Their pride and resiliency and their ability to transition their work force to survive economically. Much was learned about the living shorelines, and clam aquaculture of which little is known from shore to store. With Cedar Key stillness, quaintness, and welcoming to the area, it makes a great future destination for a weekend get-a way.

The learned skills and techniques are designed for immediate use to incorporate into programs and meetings that you may plan and participate in immediately. The “Steps to NRLI” icebreaker was a truly engaging activity that can be utilized in many different arenas to engage any audience. The skill of understanding space large enough to get energy to move around the room, to walk and talk truly helped energize and created a sense of ease for all participants, which will be utilized for many future meetings. The “think, pair, and share” activities not only helped participants get to know each other, but they generate novel ideas and creative approaches. Committing to utilize this concept prior to future guest speakers and panel discussions to generate questions will avoid the awkward dead air and crickets that come after “Does anyone have questions?”. This novel approach can move any group forward.

Collaboration and socialization during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and breaks allowed development of close relationships and the understanding of how we all play an integrated part in working together to make a difference within our agencies, as well as engaging the variety of stakeholders we need to bring into the fold.

These are such small revelations, yet there is such a deeper sense of anticipation for what is yet to come and the facilitators that will emerge through the myriad of experiences we, as the fellow of Class XXI, have yet to experience!

Kristen leads Audubon Florida’s Conservation Leadership Initiative (CLI), stationed at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, FL. CLI is a statewide co-mentorship program that connects Florida college students to the Audubon Florida network and the conservation community, while Audubon chapter leaders learn how to better connect with our next generation of conservationists.

Kristen comes from an environmental education background, previously working in education development and facilitation for the City of Orlando and Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment team. Working for Audubon, Kristen holds a special interest in removing barriers to participation in conservation, engaging new communities, and creating more equitable and welcoming spaces in the environmental community. Kristen attended undergrad at the University of Tennessee where she received a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She also has a graduate certificate in Natural Resource Policy and Administration from the University of Florida.

Restoration Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy

Brian Pelc is Restoration Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy’s North Florida Program. Within this role Brian is also the coordinator for the Apalachicola Regional Stewardship Alliance (ARSA) Local Implementation Team (LIT) for America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative as well as Invasive Species Coordinator for the Apalachicola National Forest. Brian has worked in this role since 2012 and has been a part of the North Florida TNC family since late 2009.  Partnerships and the direct conservation and restoration work that result from them are a fundamental foundation for much of the work in the North Florida Program and make up the bulk of Brian’s day to day work. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in Applied Forest Ecology from the University of Minnesota and has worked for The Conservancy’s North Florida Program, based in Bristol, for twelve years. Brian, his spouse, and 16-year-old son live and micro farm (garden, sheep, chickens, ducks) in the Miccosukee Land Coop in northeast Tallahassee where he assists the land management committee in this 48-year old, 300-acre intentional community. Brian is active at his synagogue (Temple Israel) where he regularly leads services, teaches and writes/performs original music with the temple’s pop fusion band Bagels and Biscuits.

Gregory is a native of Gainesville who graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Unable to find environmental employment during the height of “the Great Recession,” Gregory took up a hammer and worked alongside his brother refurbishing ships for major cruise lines. Opportunity in the form of an internship with Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) allowed him to jump ship!

Gregory’s career has ranged from water conservation programing, to assisting in prescribed fires over a period of twelve years with ACEPD. Currently Gregory is a Water Resources Senior Planner managing a group of employees engaged in water quality monitoring and restoration.

When not at work, Gregory can be found shooting hoops on the basketball court, or walking in the woods with “Beans” his black Goldendoodle. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Gregory plans to run his first ever marathon with his sister. He most definitely will cross the finish line behind her, like little brother knows all too well.

Originally, from Bournemouth, UK, Savannah has lived in Florida since 2005. After graduating from New College of Florida with a BA in Environmental Studies and an undergrad thesis project on Environmental Ethics in Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”, she returned to her hometown at the City of Winter Haven’s Natural Resources Division. She has been at the City for just over 5 years. Her current role as Ecosystem & Asset Analyst is a hybrid position that covers a broad range of areas. These range from water quality improvement for Winter Haven’s 50 lakes, urban forestry projects, and green infrastructure to managing asset inventories, condition assessments, and associated workflows for preventative maintenance for the entire Public Works Department using GIS and other software. She is guided by the belief that a sustainable future will hinge on a systems-thinking approach to planning urban areas that utilize new technologies and draw from diverse approaches to organize available information into efficient and effective management strategies that provide benefits on multiple levels. 

Rob Aldredge Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

Chad Allison Partners for Fish & Wildlife/Coastal Program Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

Chris Altes Archaeologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Clay Archey Senior Manager of Purchasing & Corporate Facilities, A. Duda & Sons Inc. 

Kelly Aue Suwannee River Partnership Outreach Coordinator, UF/IFAS Extension 

Jessica Blain Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Forest Service 

Rosezetta Bobo Diversity Director, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Katherine Clements Ecology & Natural Resources Educator, UF/IFAS Extension 

Greg DeAngelo Deputy Director, Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Kristin Foss Biological Scientist IV, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Travis Franklin Captain, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Maxine Hunter Urban Horticulture Extension Agent, UF/IFAS

Cat Ingram Intergovernmental Liaison, Florida Forest Service, FDACS

Kristen Kosik Program Associate for the Conservation Leadership Initiative, Audubon Florida 

Jared Lanier Field Representative, Florida Farm Bureau Federation 

Jason Lawor Public Affairs Specialist, National Forests in Florida – USDA 

Chris Marble Associate Professor, Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida 

Nate Mouzon Technical Program Manager, St. Johns River Water Management District 

Gregory Owen Senior Planner, Alachua County Board of County Commissioners 

Brian Pelc North Florida Restoration Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy 

Liesa Priddy Owner, JB Ranch

Jennifer Thera Environmental Consultant, Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services 

Armando Ubeda Florida Sea Grant Agent, UF/IFAS 

Savannah Winstanley Ecosystem & Asset Analyst, City of Winter Haven