Please join us . . .

. . . and learn of the positive impact myregion is making across the Central Florida Region!

“Board of Directors Meeting”

Friday, August 12, 2005

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

(Lunch Provided)

Best Western Admiral’s Inn

5665 Cypress Gardens Boulevard
Winter Haven, Florida

The primary mission of the myregion.org Board of Directors is for Central Florida to be globally competitive in the 21^st Century while maintaining a high standard quality of life.  To help achieve this goal we must recognize that the quality of life of our citizens and tourists is dependent on the beauty and health of the environment in which we live, work and play.

Naturally Central Florida (NCF) – a partnership between seven Central Florida counties, myregion.org, and the University of Central Florida Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies was created to respond wisely and responsibly to the unprecedented growth we are and will continue to experience through the decades ahead. 

For the first time ever, NCF will present the first document in a community process to protect and sustain the exceptional ecosystems of Central Florida.  Seven “jewels of our natural world” in Central Florida will be identified and showcased.  These are “must save” places with regional, national, (and in some cases) global ecological and economic value that benefit Florida and the Nation.  When viewed together in a regional landscape, these green spaces and blueway waters represent a visionary and bold initiative to protect the best natural areas that are left in Central Florida. 

We will also hear about a national best practice from John Howell, Chair of the Cascade Land Conservancy in the state of Washington.  Cascade Land Conservancy is four-county lands trust in Washington that has negotiated some of the largest land conservation transactions in their region.  Mr. Howell will share his insights on the importance of having a balance between environment and growth.