We save Land.
Our last strategic plan, The Call to Lead, challenged us to step forward with bold action and vision. We answered that call—protecting thousands of acres of land and water, building strong partnerships, and creating a foundation for the future.
Now, as we look ahead, we embrace the next chapter:
A Promise to Protect. This promise reflects both our responsibility and our hope. It is a pledge to safeguard clean water, restore imperiled species, strengthen coastal resiliency, advance sustainable agriculture, and increase access to nature for all. More than words, this promise is our commitment to people and to place. It is the assurance that the lands and waters we protect today will endure for generations to come.
Together—with our partners, communities, and supporters—we will fulfill this promise, ensuring that Florida’s lands and waters remain vibrant, resilient, and life-giving forever.
The strategic plan is about safeguarding Florida’s lands and waters through restoration, resilience, sustainable practices, and expanded access to nature for all.
GOAL 1
Protect, enhance, and restore critical lands in
the communities we serve – forever.
STRATEGIES
- Safeguard special places that protect and connect people to nature.
- Enhance and restore lands to strengthen their vitality and resilience.
- Manage our lands to ensure their conservation values are protected forever.
- Develop deep relationships with landowners.
- Connect ranchers, farmers, and other landowners to sustainable agriculture and best management practices resources and opportunities.
OUTCOMES
15,000 new acres are conserved that:
- Ensure our clean drinking water supply
- Support native wildlife species and biodiversity
- Increase community resilience to natural disasters
- Practice sustainable agriculture
- Increase access to open spaces
- Store carbon naturally
- Farmers, ranchers, and other partners have the resources they need to continue stewarding Florida’s natural environment and protect their land.
- Our communities’ land-related challenges are reduced.
- The lands we care for are healthy and thriving, vibrant and resilient, ensuring their benefits endure for future generations.
GOAL 2
Connect people to nature for the
benefit of both.
STRATEGIES
- Create and enhance opportunities for people to make strong connections with nature to increase their health, well-being, and happiness.
- Increase community awareness and understanding of the importance of land conservation.
- Engage people in land stewardship to support thoughtful conservation and their desire to make a difference.
- Create and enhance opportunities for people to make strong connections with nature to increase their health, well-being, and happiness.
- Increase community awareness and understanding of the importance of land conservation.
- Engage people in land stewardship to support thoughtful conservation and their desire to make a difference.
OUTCOMES
Our communities’ conservation ethic grows as evidenced by:
- People enjoying and valuing time spent outdoors
- Increased attendance at public parks and preserves
- More volunteers supporting our initiatives
- Citizens and visitors acting on important conservation issues
- More people have access to nature.
- The communities we serve identify with us and our values.
GOAL 3
Position Big Waters Land Trust as an essential
conservation partner and leader within the
communities we serve.
STRATEGIES
- Ensure our communities understand the vital role we play.
- Develop and strengthen relationships with strategic partners.
- Inform and advocate for effective conservation public policies.
OUTCOMES
- Community organizations seek our expertise and knowledge on conservation-related public issues.
- Community leaders consistently engage Big Waters in broad community issues.
- Elected officials and policy makers make decisions that sustain Florida’s environment and quality of life.
- We provide valued conservation and environmental planning information.
GOAL 4
Strengthen capacity and our organizational
culture to drive sustainability and quicken the
pace of land conservation.
STRATEGIES
- Attract and retain professional and passionate staff.
- Recruit, support, and retain effective board leadership and volunteers.
- Develop abundant, sustainable resources to meet the ambitions of the organization’s mission.
- Create systems and structures to ensure success throughout the organization.
OUTCOMES
- We are able to be quick, nimble, and strategic in these urgent times.
- We have the funds to protect our conserved lands and maintain our programs regardless of economic downturns.
- The strategic goals of the organization are supported by appropriate staffing, systems, and volunteers.
- Board members are productive in their leadership utilizing data, resources, and staff support.
- Our Staff and Board reflect the communities we serve.
- Staff satisfaction – culture, fulfillment, compensation, and retention are high.
- Volunteers have meaningful and abundant opportunities to support our mission.
Get Involved
Save Your Land
Those interested in learning more about how to protect their land, including funding resources available, are encouraged to complete our online contact form here or call us at 941-918-2100. We also invite you to email our Director of Land Protection, Brooke Langston.
LANDOWNER RESOURCES
Make A Gift
Your gift strengthens Florida’s resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives, and helps safeguard our community for generations to come. Together, we are ensuring all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy, and all the other physical and mental benefits nature provides, now and forever.
DONATE
More Reading
Public Plan Document
Want to read the public portion of our 2030 Conservation Plan? Much of the Plan is proprietary and private, however a portion of the document is available for public review. Download a PDF of the public portion of our 2030 Conservation Plan through the link below.
DOWNLOAD
Conservation Plan Publication
Download the PDF version of our Conservation Plan Publication through the link below! Interested in receiving a hard copy? Email Director of Land Protection, Brooke Langston, or call our office at 941.918.2100 to request yours today!
DOWNLOAD
A Promise to Protect: 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan Publication
Download the PDF version of our A Promise to Protect: 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Publication through the link below!
DOWNLOAD
