Brevard Nature Alliance, Inc. (BNA)
Mission, Vision and Goals
History and Activities of the Organization

History of the Brevard Nature Alliance

" The Brevard Nature Alliance, Inc. (BNA) was formed in December 1998 to provide a strategic alliance among all Brevard stakeholders for natural resource initiatives. The BNA is chartered as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the state of Florida and is designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 ( c ) (3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. BNA members are a coalition of representatives from key organizations who combine their knowledge to protect the distinct ecology and raise the awareness of citizens and visitors to the value and importance of the natural resources of Brevard County, Florida.
" The BNA seeks to increase awareness of the County's natural resources and work with the community toward sensible growth management. The BNA does this by offering technical and funding support to educational projects such as the annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival, organizing community workshops to form a strategic conservation plan for the County as part of the Brevard Tomorrow Initiative, providing environmental documentation to myregion.org and working with Brevard County to enhance functional ecological design for new development.
" The purpose of the Brevard Nature Alliance is to serve as a catalyst for community environmental development and appreciation of natural systems. The Alliance sponsors and supports educational programs and community activities to protect and enhance the natural environment, inventory natural assets of the area and maintain a database of expertise to support nature-based activities in Brevard County.
" The vision of the Brevard Nature Alliance is that through education and understanding, natural resources will become an important part of everyone's life to enrich the community. The Alliance serves as one of the primary advocates of community-based nature activities in Brevard County, dedicated to the enrichment of the community through an understanding and appreciation of natural resources, nature-based tourism and ecosystem needs.
The BNA presents the Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival.
" The Festival is the foremost event of the year and the BNA is responsible for its success. The BNA Board of Directors is directly involved in the planning and responsible for the review of all aspects of the Festival. The Festival Chair, Executive Director and Coordinator handle the day-to-day issues, changes and developing logistics involved in an event of this size.
" The Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival was created in 1997 to showcase the unique nature, wildlife, and technology in Brevard County. The commitment to create an opportunity for education; environmental and conservation experiences; space, nature and wildlife enjoyment and birding appreciation has brought many organizations together to present a safe, memorable and fun event.
" A 12-month timeline is created and each task checked off as it is completed leading up to the date of the Festival. Advertising and marketing for the 2007 Festival has followed the lead of the Space Coast Office of Tourism Development in the use of a "Spaceman" as the brand for Brevard County. This brand lends credibility to community efforts of promoting Florida's Space Coast.
" Laurilee Thompson, Festival Founder and Chair, is responsible for securing the speakers and field trip leaders and establishing the events and schedule for the Festival. She directs the layout of the annual Program, oversees the production of the final product and distribution throughout the year.
" Neta Harris, Executive Director, facilitates the timeline of the Festival as approved by the BNA Board of Directors. All tasks are reviewed and completed per this guideline. Financial tasks (sponsorships, grants, donations, accounts receivable & payable and reporting) as well as logistics, advertising, volunteers, computer generated programs and statistical justification is handled by Harris.
" Barbara Hoelscher, Festival Coordinator, is tasked to handle the Exhibitor process, Silent Auction, mailing list, assisting with the production of the Festival program (including some form updates) and producing creative items for advertising (flyers, etc.).
" The Festival is important because it generates awareness of the abundant natural resources of our area, not just during the Event, but also throughout the entire year. The connection of these natural resources to quality of life, excellence in environmental education, high technology, cultural heritage significance and business community involvement provides a focus that has placed the Festival as number two in the top three ranking of Birding and Wildlife Events (size, venue, scope of events and presenter/field trip leader industry status) in the United States as well as being recognized internationally as an event destination for premier birding opportunities and outdoor adventures.
" An Economic Impact Report is the end product utilizing all information gathered via an extensive survey during the Festival. In-depth demographics, financial and educational data show specific profiles of festival attendees as well as the likelihood of their return to Florida's Space Coast throughout the year. These measurable results provide return-on-investment information to Sponsors, Grantors and Donors. The Festival is a proven engine that drives nature-based tourists to Brevard County.



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The BNA was invited to become a part of the Brevard Tomorrow Strategic Planning Initiative to contribute environmental and conservation data and information to be used in the resulting Initiative Report.
" The "Brevard Tomorrow Strategic Planning Initiative" provided an opportunity to organize collaborative efforts that developed synergy among the diverse economic and quality of life organizations in the county. Every effort was made to combine and integrate information and outcomes from participating organizations so that a unified strategic plan that describes all of Brevard's major strengths and opportunities emerged. Brevard Nature Alliance remains committed to providing a strategic alliance among all Brevard stakeholders for natural resource initiatives. The BNA pledges its support to bringing about a coordinated planning effort among the stakeholders in this county with interests in nature-based businesses and conservation activities. Its mission remains to promote and protect the environment for nature-based activities.

On July 20, 2001, the BNA first approached gathering information and providing input to the Brevard Tomorrow Strategic Planning Initiative by hosting the "Brevard County Conservation and Business Development Roundtable"
" 51 stakeholders who were either representing a corporation, business, environmental or conservation organization or governmental agency or organization attended this meeting. Other participants included a communications consultant (Conrad Associates of Washington, DC) who chaired the discussion, national and state organization representatives and Brevard County Commissioners.
A document was produced with the following conclusion:
" The Brevard County Conservation and Business Development Roundtable achieved a significant tactical step in bringing Brevard County closer to the productive alignment of conservation and business interests in this community. The long-term strategic plan for conservation/business activities requires the creation of a conservation/business development forum whose charge is to work with the Brevard Nature Alliance to identify opportunities, prioritize partnership-based development, and recommend a strategic lineup of new programs with mutual benefits to area conservation and business interests. Branding and improved communication of the unique aspects of Brevard County, "… Where Nature Meets Space", should be among the top priorities for initial accomplishment.

August 27 & 28, 2001, the BNA hosted a meeting of stakeholders in a two-day workshop led by the nationally known environmental consulting firm from Denver, CO, 'Conservation Impact'.
" The workshop was attended by 59 people representing 49 environmental and economically focused organizations and business entities. Within the two days, participants formed small discussion groups to cover topics such as: Water, Infrastructure, Transportation, Natural Resources, Quality of Life, etc. The results were categorized as 'Threats, Goals and Recommendations'.
" Information and data gathered was used to produce the "Natural Resources and Conservation Report" (NR&C). **This is the document that provided the environmental, conservation and natural resources component for the Brevard Tomorrow Strategic Plan. The NR&C Report was also used by myregion.org, a seven-county area-planning consortium, as the template for addressing environmental and conservation issues at a regional level. The NR&C Report was also reproduced on CD as well in hard copy. Requests for this popular document are received currently as the information is still very relevant to the issues of growth management and infrastructure issues. **This document is available in all 17 Brevard County libraries.

Members of the BNA Board of Directors served on Brevard Tomorrow sub-committees (Laurilee Thompson - Land Use & Growth Work Group; Walt Johnson - Economy: Diversification and Program Delivery).
" On February 3, 2003, the BNA developed and provided 'Performance Measures and Benchmarks' for the Land Use & Growth Work Group.
" Data and information collected from all Brevard Tomorrow sub-committees became a part of the completed Initiative Report.







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In February 2004, with the approval of and assistance from the Space Coast Office of Tourism (SCOT), the BNA initiated the production of the first Outdoor Adventure Guide for Florida's Space Coast.

" The plan was to provide information about alternative activities (other than going to the beach) that abounded in Brevard County to keep visitors to this area occupied and increase the time of their stay by a day or two or three.
" With a budget of $8,000, the SCOT would match ½ of those monies. The BNA sold ads to hotels and tourism businesses to meet their portion of the cost to produce the publication.
" The BNA contacted each outdoor provider in Brevard County (air boat rides, kayak/canoe tours and rentals, horseback riding, sailing and windsurfing, birding and photography, surf shops, surfing schools and also included museums, attractions and nature centers).
" In April 2004, 10,000 copies of the first Guide were printed. Guides were distributed by the BNA to Florida Welcome Centers, Chambers of Commerce, hotels, restaurants, outdoor providers and other tourism entry areas.
" In October 2004, the BNA combined the Outdoor Adventure Guide information with the Program for the 2004 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival to produce a dual publication. 50,000 copies were printed and distributed not only to festivalgoers but also throughout the year to Florida Welcome Centers, Chambers of Commerce, hotels, restaurants, outdoor providers and other tourism entry areas. VISIT FLORIDA and SCOT provided some monies for publication of the document. VISIT FLORIDA and SCOT used the Guide/Program at tourism trade shows and Chambers of Commerce sent the Guide/Program in response to vacation requests.
" In October 2005, the BNA again produced a combined document of the for the 2005 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival with updated information about Outdoor Adventure businesses in Brevard County - adding new ones and removing those who no longer were active. The Guide had become so popular that 80,000 copies were printed and distributed not only to festivalgoers but also throughout the year to Florida Welcome Centers, Chambers of Commerce, hotels, restaurants, outdoor providers and other tourism entry areas. VISIT FLORIDA and SCOT provided some monies for publication of the document. . VISIT FLORIDA and SCOT used the Guide/Program at tourism trade shows and Chambers of Commerce sent the Guide/Program in response to vacation requests.

On May 12, 2004, the BNA and the Space Coast Economic Development Commission co-hosted a Community Forum on:
" 'Growth and Development in Titusville and North Brevard County'. The Forum was facilitated and a report prepared by - The Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida (The Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium). Sixty-five plus people individually and representing business, governmental agencies and various organizations attended.
" The first part of the forum was devoted to panel presentations reflecting a variety of perspectives on growth. During the second portion of the forum, participants were asked to form small groups and to identify those things about the area - "treasures and values" -- that they hoped would not be changed by growth, to discuss their vision for the future of the area, and to identify the challenges that would need to be met to move toward their vision of the future. After these discussions, participants from each group shared their conclusions with the other groups.
" While the forum was designed principally to provide an opportunity for a free and open exchange of ideas, the discussions demonstrated a high-degree of agreement among participants regarding the principal components of their desired future, and the challenges the area must address.
" A report presenting the main points of the participant discussions during the forum was prepared. It is based on transcripts of the notes made by volunteer recorders for each of the small groups, and by the facilitators during the full-group discussions.

The BNA initiated the 'Scrub Jay Project' in February 2006.
" Dave Breininger is the scientist/facilitator leading the ecological component of this project. The proposed project is a new initiative in that it establishes a partnership between local scientists, volunteers, and environmental organizations to provide data and monitoring support for several land acquisition and natural resource management programs charged with Florida scrub-jay conservation. More than a hundred million dollars has or will be spent on land acquisition and management but relatively little funding is currently available to quantitatively measure population and habitat responses to conservation.
" We propose to build a local coalition to continue and further streamline studies initiated in 1997 that were once funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop and quantitatively measure recovery criteria. Several local stakeholders (e.g., Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and the Turtle Coast Chapter of the Sierra Club) are attempting to justify monitoring expenses within future budget projections. Explicit data is exponentially necessary to make land acquisition and fire management decisions.



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" The actions of the proposed study will have streamlined monitoring and assembled a team of volunteers to assist in this task. There are many federal, state and local entities that include private mitigation lands, municipalities and government task forces that have assumed responsibilities of managing habitat critical for the Florida scrub-jay metapopulation.
" The Brevard Nature Alliance has the network and credibility within the community to develop unbiased quantitative measures of conservation success to facilitate learning and adaptive management. Integrated into this program is a plan to initiate an experimental translocation program that would reestablish populations in several conservation areas that are recently acquired and restored.
" Funding is vitally important for this project to be successful. Some monies have been donated to get the project started, but a stable source of regularly incoming monies is necessary. Grants sources are being reviewed to secure the best and continued money stream.
" This project is now known as Scrub Jay Adaptive Resource Project and is guided by the Scrub Jay Adaptive Resource Committee with Anne Birch as Chair and members Keith Winsten, Virginia Barker, Leesa Souto, Dave Breininger and Laurilee Thompson. The Scrub Jay Project Committee works with other stakeholder organizations for support and volunteer assistance as well as with Land Managers from a variety of County and State Agencies.

In April of 2006, the BNA proposed a partnership between the Brevard Nature Alliance and the Brevard County School System.
" The purpose of this partnership is to provide current topical educational presentations on the environment, conservation issues and earth science. Committee members are: Ron Thorstad, Walt Johnson and Staff - Barbara Hoelscher and Neta Harris.
" The BNA plans to accomplish this with:
o special field trips led by local and nationally known naturalists
o special workshops presented by local and nationally known scientists, photographers and nature writers.
" The suggested educational presentations will be planned throughout the school year with some events occurring in concert with the Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival. Those schools that have Environmental Clubs may want to provide extra credit to club members who participate as Hosts or additional guides for the events.
" Our ultimate goal of this partnership is to share the educational value of the ecosystems of Brevard County with students and to provide an avenue of learning about these important ecological resources that influence our quality of life.
" Following initial discussions with school representatives, the BNA School Program Committee has planned to present two of five proposed programs to Science teachers assembled for a workshop in August 2006. The programs will be developed using criteria for pre and post testing of learning experiences.
" Hoelscher and Harris were asked by Thorstad to meet with Judy Gregoire, Land Manager of the North County EEL Program. The EELS Program currently are presenting educational programs (with pre and post testing) and offering field trip opportunities to Brevard County Schools. Programs available through the BNA were reviewed. The BNA will partner with the EELS Program to plan joint educational opportunities for the schools. The EELS Program will provide two or more programs during the 2007 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival.

In October 2006, the Executive Committee of the Brevard Nature Alliance met to develop a list of possible Board projects for 2007. Two of them involve major new taskforces and two would work with existing committees

Recommended Board Projects are:

1. Festival Taskforce:
Goals:
- To review goals of festival
- To review efficiency/effectiveness at achieving goals
- To make recommendations on how better to achieve the festivals' goals and achieve long-term sustainability
Project Leader: Nancy Evans - Other members are: Steve Bankert, David Freeland and Laurilee Thompson.
Timeline: Six Months





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2. BNA Structure Taskforce
Goals:
- To review role/niche of the organization
- To determine best organizational structure in terms of committee, membership, etc.
Project Leaders: Leesa Souto and Bob Day
Timeline: 12 Months
3. Budget
Goals:
- To review current presentation and update for clarity
Project Leader: Virginia Barker and Dr. Karen Chambliss
Timeline: 3 Months
4. Improve Nominating process
Goals:
- To create a year-round governance committee
Project Leader: Keith Winsten - and member: Anne Birch.
Timeline: 6 months
(Must coordinate with the BNA Structure Taskforce)


The BNA works cooperatively with organizations, agencies and business entities such as:
The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, Space Coast Audubon, the Turtle Coast Sierra Club, Friends of the Enchanted Forest, Brevard Cultural Alliance, Native Plant Society, Brevard Community College, Chambers of Commerce, Space Coast Office of Tourism, VISIT FLORIDA, Brevard County School Board, St. Johns River Water Management District, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, NASA contractors, City of Titusville, hotels, restaurants, attractions, outdoor adventure providers and many others.

The BNA serves the Brevard community -
" Through continual interaction the BNA acts as a clearinghouse for various activities and is a stable contact both for local and out of area seekers of information about Florida's Space Coast. Things to do, places to stay and directions are the most predominantly asked questions. Referrals are made to Chambers of Commerce, attractions and Wildlife Refuges so that additional information may be obtained and hotel listings are given so that a choice can be made for appropriate accommodations.
" In 2001 the BNA completed an attendance survey of Eco-tourism and environmental experience statistics for the North Brevard Area for an approximate 12-month period. The Alliance set a goal to repeat this action in five years and will complete this survey in September 2006.
" The Friends of the Enchanted Forest requested that the BNA do a formal survey of attendance and exhibitor participation during Earth Day, April 23, 2005. A Questionnaire was created to gather the desired information. Members of the Titusville High School National Honor Society assisted by talking with each exhibitor and meeting as many attendees as possible during the time of the event. Data was tallied and survey results were provided. These statistics and comments were used by the Friends to make appropriate planning changes for the next Earth Day event.
" Neta Harris, BNA Executive Director, is tasked to facilitate telephone and email inquiries to the office of the Brevard Nature Alliance from local, state, national and international persons and organizations regarding questions and issues ranging over a variety of topics: birds, wildlife, nature-based tourism, environmental and conservation issues, outdoor adventure opportunities, Festival plans, other community events, injured birds or animal assistance, growth management, cutting down trees, Eagle nests in development areas, Osprey nests on Florida Power and Light poles, how to locate any number of persons or places, current bird species list, current endangered species list, Gopher Tortoise issues, Florida Scrub Jay issues, etc. Harris also serves on a number of committees and attends meetings on behalf of the Alliance.
" The Board of Directors sent a letter to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission supporting necessary changes in the handling of issues affecting the Florida Gopher Tortoise.






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" Many members of the Board of Directors as well as the general membership of the BNA participate in community ecological, environmental and conservation activities. Some are listed below:
" Walt Johnson is taking an ecological survey of the Indian River Lagoon in the Titusville area to determine the most frequented habitat of the local Redfish stock and what they are most likely to feed on.
" Ron Thorstad has conducted testing on Lagoon water for salinity content and contaminants. Ron is an active member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association and local and state tourism organizations. Ron represented the BNA by serving as a Judge for the 2007 Brevard County School Board Countywide Middle School Science Fair. The BNA provided monies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the Environmental category.
" Jay Barnhart, Jr. is an expert on mushrooms, native plants and historical venues in Brevard County. He leads groups on educational tours for personal experience.
" Anne Birch is the Program Director for the Indian River Lagoon Project for the Nature Conservancy and in that capacity works closely with the EELS program securing endangered lands and protecting endangered species. Anne Chairs the Committee for the newest BNA community effort: The Scrub Jay Project. This Committee is now known at the Scrub Jay Adaptive Resource Committee. (See more about this Committee on page four.)
" Ross Hinkle and Paul Schmalzer serve on the EELS Selection Committee.
" Bob Day recently served on the County Landscape Committee, which was charged by the County Commission to rewrite the ordinance pertaining to developmental landscaping. Bob is a leader in the outcome of ecological studies of the viability of the Indian River Lagoon.
" Leesa Souto creates public education programs for Storm Water use.
" Keith Winsten, Executive Director of the Brevard Zoo, writes an environmental/conservation educational column for FLORIDA TODAY.
" Duane DeFreese, Senior Vice President of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, volunteers in many conservation capacities - he chairs the Environmental Committee for myregion.org and helped to produce the many documents to educate the public of the purpose of the myregion.org programs. (myregion.org is a seven-county consortium to study the issues of infrastructure and other needs and to formulate how to collectively plan for the future.)
" Laurliee Thompson is a tireless crusader for environmental and conservation education and the preservation of the natural resources of Brevard County. She serves on many Boards and Committees dedicated to politically correct action involving sane growth management, cultural-heritage nature-based tourism and endangered species protection. She has made personal funding commitments in order to continue current environmental and conservation programs and projects.
" Barbara Hoelscher volunteers with the Enchanted Forest - having served as President of the Friends of the Enchanted Forest, establishing and maintaining the Library, planning educational programs, leading tours and working closely with the EELS Program. She also is an active member of several local, state and national environmental/conservation organizations.



Updated:
March 2007
Neta Harris