Dear Members and Friends:
This year I'm trying a new approach to our annual "End of the Year Letter." I'm sending it to you as a cost-effective e-letter and I'm attempting to be briefer,
a challenge when you see all that we did, but for which I believe you will all be thankful. As a treat, check out Annie's Blog for her short list of North Florida holiday favorites.
This year was by far our most exciting! We completed projects, launched programs and embraced new partnerships in ways that were truly groundbreaking. Our accomplishments are remarkable, especially in this year of great economic challenges. As you read through this incredible "year in brief" please know that we are now poised to become the voice for real change in Florida.
Florida's Eden is the only organization working at the crossroads of the Economy, Environment and Education. This year we did more than ever to promote the local economy and create jobs, including two new Florida's Eden Scenic Guidebooks, view them by clicking here, and here! Our water awareness campaign has expanded from the county-by-county One Region One Book program into The Blue Path Campaign
Our vision, our voice and our focus on practical solutions has caught on.Requests are pouring in from organizations and locales eager to work with us. Your assistance will help us meet the huge demand for bridging the gaps and finding solutions at a time when our state government is limiting its investment. Our local businesses, children and our environment deserve better!
All that is holding us back is funding!In short, we need to increase the organizational capacity of Florida's Eden. So, I'm putting out this End of Year Letter with an Ask. Please, consider making a tax deductible donation to Florida's Eden this year. Your money will allow us to carry out critical components of our pioneering mission to save our springs, conserve our water, educate our children and grow our economy!
Your donation:
> will allow us to hire an experienced grants writer who will focus solely on bringing in major funding for our programs
> will fund solutions for Florida's Water challenges by expanding The Blue Path Exhibition and travel it around the state "engaging Floridians to find new sustainable ways of valuing and living with our water resources." The Blue Path Campaign is key to Florida's future economic and environmental well being.
> will allow us to introduce our successful education model, the Ichetucknee Classroom, at state and national conferences
> will fund the expansion of our sustainable local economy and "Aware Tourism" guidebooks into the counties of the St. Johns River
We need your funding assistance to elevate these pioneering projects and models to the next level.
Thank you for considering an end of year tax deductible donation to your Florida's Eden. Our organization will be ten years old in 2011. We are prepared to celebrate with you by doing even greater things.
Please make your tax-deductible contribution now!
Donate Online: floridaseden.org/donate
Donate by mail: Florida's Eden. PO Box 1149, Gainesville, FL 32601-1149
Thank you for your donation! < make your donation online now if you're ready >
Most Gratefully,
Annie Pais
Executive Director
www.FloridaSpringsInstitute.org
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Florida's Eden: Summary of 2010
Look what we accomplished with your membership support and generous funding. Scroll to the bottom for a sneak peek at some of what's coming next!
January - March
• We start the year with two new guidebooks. Both are offered online as flip-page magazines: the Heart of Florida Scenic Guide and the Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide.
• "OLO!" at The Windmill Gallery in McIntosh brings together food, music and artists to kick off the Heart of Florida Scenic Guide.
* U.F. Water Symposium in Gainesville: we present the Ichetucknee Classroom Model, our successful education partnership merging science and the humanities through place-based education.
• One Region One Book programs promote water awareness in Levy County.
• Florida's Eden embarks on its second year as a member of Innovation Gainesville "iG" the partnership to grow the creative economy of Alachua County. Our roles: introducing the tech/biotech and cultural sectors to one another; emphasizing the economic importance of place; portraying who we are through all our many assets.
• Florida "Learn and Serve Conference" in Tallahassee, along with students and faculty from our Ichetucknee Classroom Model.
* The Blue Path Coalition "think tank" is created to forge new strategies in springs and aquifer protection.
* "Uptown Art Hop" continues to benefit Florida's Eden. Thank you!
April - June
• ARTT (Artists Reaching Through Teaching) program of Florida's Eden completes its three year commitment as a prime funding partner for creative residencies in core curriculum classrooms at Fort White Middle/High School and the Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County).
• After five years in development at Fort White, ARTT and the place-based science program emerge as the Ichetucknee Classroom Model. Florida's Eden makes plans to develop a replication process to make the model available for schools throughout Florida and the nation.
* Santa Fe Spring Arts Festival: Thanks to Adventure Outpost in High Springs for the kayak and Jacquelyne Collett for the beautiful glass bowl that we raffle at the festival and at Gainesville ArtWalk.
* Development of The Blue Path Exhibit, currently on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History
* The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute is founded as a major project of Florida's Eden with Dr. Robert Knight as Director. The Institute is charged with making scientifically-defensible data available on the condition of Florida Springs and serving as a clearinghouse for information and communication.
• Florida's Eden partners as a sponsor for The Environmental Film Festival in Gainesville.
July - September
* Annie delivers the sermon at United Church of Gainesville, "Reflections on the Blue Path" with John Moran and his gorgeous images.
* The Blue Path exhibition opens at the FMNH along with excellent media coverage about Florida water and springs. The popular response is the greatest we have received from any Florida's Eden project! The exhibit is dedicated to Wes Skiles for his vast contributions to our knowledge of Florida's waterways.
* The Blue Path Program Guide is produced to offer the public ways to learn about and engage in Springs/Aquifer programs across the region. Thanks to major sponsor Shands HealthCare.
* Bike Florida names its 2011 spring ride 'The Florida's Eden Spring Tour.'
* Developing partnership with Alachua County Ag Extension Office to promote water conservation and Florida Friendly Yards.
* "Education at the Museum" -- we distribute Blue Path and Florida's Eden information to Alachua County teachers.
* Florida's Eden and the Florida Springs Institute share a table at the St. John's River Summit in Jacksonville.
* Annie is interviewed about The Blue Path on Jacksonville ABC TV
* Annie shows "The Hidden Rivers" by Wes Skiles and Jill Heinerth at UCG as a fundraiser for The Blue Path. Thanks to Ann Gill for your good help and introduction.
* Florida's Eden receives Alachua County TDC award of $32,400. for "Discover Florida's Blue Path" promoting Alachua County as a destination hub and gateway to the springs region.
* We introduce TheBluePath.org website.
October - December
* Annie serves on two iG committees to connect the cultural and tech sectors and development of enticement/recruitment materials that promote Alachua County as an innovation/creative economic hub.
* We produce and distribute four different niche-market brochures promoting local busineses in Alachua County: Culinary Tourism, Arts and Culture, Outdoor Recreation and Romance Tourism. Thanks to TDC funding for this project that is placing 160,000 brochures along I-75 from Atlanta to Lake City.
* The Florida Museum of Natural History extends The Blue Path exhibition through February 13th, 2011!
* Second edition of The Blue Path Program Guide,
* The Blue Path opens a 'group' on the tech social network, MyGain.net
* The Blue Path at the FMNH becomes a Scavenger Hunt site for the Google competition: "GIG4GVILLE."
• "Melrose "Open Air Arts" event, scheduled for March 2011, names The Blue Path program of Florida's Eden as the beneficiary non-profit.
Upcoming and "In the Works"
* Leaders from all sectors of the area's innovation/creative economy will meet at a networking event at The Blue Path exhibit, Florida Museum of Natural History, January 2011
• Sponsor a Rider, or join the ride and collect sponsorships, for the Bike Florida, "Florida's Eden Spring Tour," March 2011 as a charity ride for The Blue Path.
• "Melrose Open Air Arts" paint out, March 2011
* Expanding The Blue Path Exhibition to travel as a 'hands on' exhibition. This partnership brings together Florida's Eden, the UF Water Institute and the FMNH in a pioneering effort to communicate the science of Florida's water systems, using art, interactive materials, diagrams and displays. The exhibit promotes The Blue Path grassroots campaign mission: "Engage all Floridians to embrace sustainable new ways of valuing and living with our water resources."
Thank you,
Most Sincerely and Happy Holidays Everyone!
Annie Pais
Executive Director
Blue Spring, Oil on Canvas
Annie Pais
- ABOUT US | MEDIA
- Florida's Eden
- is a nonprofit citizen initiative to unite 30 counties of North Florida for the purpose of protecting our natural resources and using our environmental and creative assets to build a sustainable, prosperous economy.
- » Our Region
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- DISCOVER NORTH FLORIDA
Two inside guides to our favorite places, hidden treasures and local haunts
» View, Read, and Print Online
Now offering
The Heart of Florida Scenic Guide, and
The Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide - THE BLUE PATH
The Blue Path
is the Florida Citizen Campaign to find new ways to live with water, preserve our springs and aquifer, and build a "blue" economy of innovation.
» The Exhibit » The Campaign» Programs + Events» Position Paper
- ICHETUCKNEE CLASSROOM
- A New Model for Education
- Students at Fort White Middle and High Schools are on the Ichetucknee River, taking water samples, filming a virtual tour of the State Park from a canoe, cleaning out exotic vegetation. This is their classroom. This is the future of education. Florida's Eden is readying the Ichetucknee Classroom Model for replication in other schools, bringing together science, humanities, creativity and civic leadership.
- FLA. SPRINGS INSTITUTE
Florida's Eden is proud to announce the founding of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute. The Institute will provide monitoring and research at Florida springs and policy recommendations for their restoration and preservation.
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