SCCF’s Lindblad appointed to FCT by Governor Crist
It was announced on Monday that SCCF Executive Director Erick Lindblad has been appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to serve a four-year term on the six-member Florida Communities Trust Board.
Florida Communities Trust is a part of the state’s Florida Forever conservation and recreation lands acquisition program. The Board is comprised of the Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, Tom Pelham; and the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, Michael Sole; plus four public members whom the Governor appoints.
“I am honored by the appointment and am looking forward to working with the FCT Board and Staff,” Lindblad said. “These acquisition projects provide a wide variety of benefits ranging from community economic growth and revitalization to providing a wide variety of ecological services for a healthy environment.”
The four public appointments include a former elected official of a county government; a former elected official of a metropolitan municipal government; a representative of a non-profit organization which has among its principal goals the conservation of natural resources or protection of the environment; and a representative of the development industry.
The Florida Communities Trust administers two state grant programs that provide funding to local governments and eligible non-profit organizations to acquire conservation lands, parks, open space, greenways and projects supporting Florida’s traditional seafood harvesting and aquaculture industries.
“Preserving our natural and cultural resources is vital to smart local planning and creating more livable communities for Florida’s residents and visitors,” said Pelham. “The Florida Forever funds provided by Florida Communities Trust help local communities build their green infrastructure and enhance our quality of life.”
Florida Communities Trust receives a minimum of $63 million in Florida Forever funds each year.
Last year, FCT awarded Florida Forever funds to 21 projects after receiving 91 grant applications from local governments and non-profit environmental organizations throughout the state. When combined with local matching funds, more than $146 million was slated for conservation efforts in these communities.
Locally, the acquisition of the City of Sanibel’s 68-acre Silver Key, 7.2-acre Pond Apple Park and the 23.1-acre Algiers Gulfside Park addition were funded by the Florida Communities Trust.
Lindblad also serves on the Babcock Ranch, Inc. Board, which oversees the state’s 70,000-acre Babcock Ranch Preserve as well as Lee County’s Conservation Lands and Stewardship Advisory Council.