There are many worthy organizations doing good work in all critical areas. Without these groups of dedicated people, I know that we would all be truly lost. As I witness the ongoing consumption of forested lands for development in Florida it is easy to be discouraged. Is there anything we can do to slow the conversion of essential conservation lands to subdivisions and parking lots? The establishment of "land trusts" throughout the country has enabled landowners to set aside their property for conservation while affording a level of financial return and tax savings in the present and future. We have such an organization in Northeast Florida called the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT). They are doing the hard work of identifying key priority properties based on a variety of economic and environmental factors, and pro-actively approaching landowners to consider alternatives to selling their property to developers. NFLT relies on donations of money and property to fulfill its mission. It's a lot of hard work.
I've been working with NFLT for a few years, providing photographs for their marketing and awards. A challenge for the group is raising awareness and finding the property owners who would consider this route for their property. Outreach activities such as a benefit party, help to bring together diverse groups of people to share the NFLT story. Plus, we might sell some art to cover expenses and sponsor the next event.
Southlight Gallery in Jacksonville is sponsoring this event. Southlight is a cooperative, and has helped many emerging and established artists plug into the local art scene. We decided to have a show to celebrate the diversity of the natural landscape in Florida, inspired by the work of NFLT. My contribution is a selection of work from my series "My Real Florida." Serveral other artists have contributed works. The event is the evening of Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 6-9 pm at the Wells Fargo Center on the mezzanine. The work will be exhibited until May.
Prints and other items may be purchased through Doug Eng Editions.