Regional Awards For Excellence

Henry Dean

This year, a Special Achievement in Conservation award was presented to former St. Johns County Commissioner Henry Dean. Mr. Dean has dedicated his career to environmental conservation and public service and has made remarkable contributions to Florida's natural resources. Over the years, he has served as an environmental aide to former Florida Governor Rueben Askew and general counsel for the Florida Department of Natural Resources. 

He has served as the director at the South Florida Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water Management District. He led efforts to conserve nearly 800,000 acres of land, 98% of which is now open to the public. He also established the Wekiva River System's first minimum flows and levels to protect water resources. 

Mr. Dean served two terms as the District 5 Commissioner in St. Johns County. His leadership and accomplishments have left a lasting impact on Florida's environment and communities. 

FAA Certificate of Waiver UAS 'Beyond the Line of Sight'

Drones provide significant value and cost savings for local governments. They aid fire departments in responding to structure fires and hazardous environments, help law enforcement locate dangerous individuals, and locate missing persons. They also streamline post-disaster data collection for damage assessment teams and assist public works and building officials in conducting more efficient infrastructure inspections. 

This past year, the Flagler County Drone Team secured a Certificate of Waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration. This waiver allows them to operate their small, unmanned aircraft system beyond the standard line of sight, enabling long-range monitoring of the coastline and expanding the team's capacity to serve the public in safety missions.

City of Palm Coast Imagine 2050 "City on the Rise"

While developing their Imagine 2050, "City on the Rise' Comprehensive Plan, the City of Palm Coast undertook a challenging yet vital task that many communities face: strategic future planning. During this process, community engagement is crucial, as it involves meeting people where they are to collect meaningful input. 

Through a multifaceted outreach strategy, the City of Palm Coast reached over 80,000 community members. The 2050 Comprehensive Plan introduced over 200 enhancements to its goals, objectives, and policies. They created an Economic Development Element, introduced a new land use category for westward expansion, and expanded the Property Rights Element to represent small property owners better. This contributed substantially to the future of the City of Palm Coast. 

Alpine Groves Park Shoreline Restoration

The Alpine Groves Park Shoreline Restoration stands out as an exemplary case of how even a rapidly growing area can employ resilient strategies to protect its natural assets. This project leveraged $450,000 from the Resilient Florida grant program and $522,000 in matching funds from St. Johns County to counter the erosion along the St. Johns River on the County's western side. By employing a nature-based solution, a combination of native plants and rocks, the restoration not only protects the shoreline today but also prepares it to withstand more severe conditions in the future. 

This project serves as a model for integrating nature-based solutions into the landscape, offering valuable insights into how these strategies can effectively protect communities and ecosystems for years to come. 

UF Health Pediatric Evacuation Full Scale Exercise

UF Health Jacksonville's Emergency Management Program identified the need to test their evacuation plan specifically for infants, children, and mothers. This initiative was prompted by a review of after-action reports from other hospitals across the state that had undergone hurricane-related evacuations.

To address this, they conducted a full-scale pediatric exercise involving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Unit, Labor and Delivery Unit, and Mother-Baby Unit. Through this exercise, they were able to identify best practices for establishing an Alternative Care Site, determine the necessary supplies and medications needed for a minimum of three days, and develop more effective methods for tracking patients and staff.

More than 15 internal departments and external partners participated in the effort, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, the Region 3 Healthcare Coalition, the Red Cross, First Coast Disaster Council, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Century Ambulance, Trauma One, and the City of Jacksonville's Emergency Preparedness Division.

Atlantic-to-Okefenokee (A20) Conservation Corridor

The Atlantic-to-Okefenokee Conservation Corridor, also known as A20, was designated as a Florida Forever project. This became one of the most significant expansions of the Florida Forever list. This designation includes approximately 55,864 acres for conservation. The A20 stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, creating a 90,000-acre conservation corridor in the southern watershed along 80 miles of the St. Marys River. 

This expansion more than doubles the existing acres of conserved lands near its boundaries. By safeguarding underrepresented natural communities, natural floodplains, priority aquifer recharge areas, fragile coastal ecosystems, and habitats of rare species, A20 ensures a healthier future for Northeast Florida's environment.  

PLANT-AS Baker County Economic Development Commission

The Baker County Economic Development Commission has finalized a development agreement with PLANT-AS, a large agricultural operation that will include more than 8,000,000 square feet of greenhouse space. This significant project is expected to create nearly 700 jobs and generate over $700 million in capital investment, providing substantial long-term benefits for Baker County.

The initiative will offer well-paying, entry-level positions with benefits for residents of Baker County and surrounding rural communities. Additionally, it will encourage further development in the processing and transportation sectors, positioning Baker County at the forefront of 21st-century agriculture.

Heirs' Property - Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) was the forefront of the Heirs' Property initiatives in our Region. Ensuring that when families own homes and land, they have the resources and documentation needed to keep these assets in the family and pass them down to future generations, should the worst occur. In 2022 and 2023, LISC Jacksonville's Heirs' Property efforts preserved or stabilized over $18.1 million in tax-assessed home value by resolving 147 litigation cases and facilitating 185 estate planning cases, directly contributing to the financial stability of families. 

This project truly focused on improving the lives of under-resourced citizens and communities by securing generational wealth and homeownership. In 2023, LISC partnered with the Regional Community Institute (NEFRC's non-profit organization) to convene with representatives of the other six counties, which led to the formation of county-level committees to ensure stronger collaboration and more impactful results.

LISC Jacksonville's innovative approach, measurable results, and commitment to regional collaboration make them most deserving of this award. 

Nassau County & City of Fernandina Beach Bicentennial Commemoration

Nassau County, a place of rich history and heritage, was officially established in 1824. That same year, Fernandina was chosen as the county seat, and the territorial legislature incorporated the town in December. Nassau County and Fernandina Beach celebrated a significant milestone this year- their 200-year anniversary. The bicentennial celebration was a testament to our shared past and a beacon of our collective future. What made this celebration truly special was the active involvement of our community. Volunteers, community organizations, and local government joined forces to create innovative events and partnerships that engaged a diverse population, fostering a shared sense of place and strengthening community bonds. These celebrations not only highlighted the unique heritage of both the county and its historic seat, Fernandina Beach, but also made us all feel integral to our county's history.

Florida Department of Health (FDOH) St. Johns County Mobile Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children

A common goal of elected officials and government staff is to make life easier for residents. However, significant barriers often remain when trying to connect people with the services they need. One way to address this concern is by bringing the services directly to the individuals who need them. 

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritional education and healthy food to low-income families, primarily due to transportation barriers. To overcome this issue, FDOH - St. Johns began offering mobile WIC services. By eliminating the need for residents to travel, this innovative approach makes it easier for families to receive the support they need and connect to other community resources. As a result, the participation rate among eligible families almost doubled, significantly enhancing the quality of life for those in St. Johns County.  

Clay County Bonded Transportation Program

Many residents rely on public transportation or other methods of transportation to access essential services and travel around the County. To address these transportation needs Clay County developed a Bonded Transportation Program, which encompassed seven major road projects designed to improve traffic flow, increase public safety, expand travel lanes, add drainage features, and include sidewalks and bicycle lanes. 

As growth and development continue throughout Florida, Clay County's Bonded Transportation Program lays the groundwork for a more efficient transportation network, ensuring the Region can navigate its challenges now and well into the future.