Florida Forest Stewardship Tour
Wetland Preserve, LLC
Property of Ben and Louann Williams
2019 Florida Land Stewards of the Year
Putnam County, FL
Friday, March 1, 2019

Meet at the property at 9:00 AM EST, adjourn after tour and lunch

Ben and Louann Williams have owned and managed their Wetland Preserve, LLC since 2008. This 3,725-acre property in Putnam County is composed of mesic flatwoods, bottomland forest, floodplain swamp, and sandhill. Through assistance from many Florida Land Steward partners, participation in educational events, active management, and patience they, along with their daughter, Ashley, have made great strides in improving and conserving the forest and natural resources of the property. The Williams family’s desire to better understand their land and increase scientific knowledge of wildlife is demonstrated by their gracious accommodation of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s research staff to conduct surveys for uncommon, threatened or endangered species on their property over the last several years, providing critical population and location data on declining species. In addition to hard work at the property, the family engages with the public through presentations to local schools and other groups and media interviews about land stewardship and conservation. In addition to all of these efforts and many others not mentioned here, the family has taken an active role in the formation and leadership of the North Florida Prescribed Burn Association. Join us for a tour of the property and meet these amazing landowners. Most of the tour will involve riding in vans or open trailers with several discussion stops and short walks. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring rain gear in case of wet weather.

PDF event flier with more details linked here