Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '23

Page 4, Martin Downs

Loxa-Lucie Initiative from page 1 established statewide program to buy land for conservation and outreach are also critical to this initiative. To schedule a
and recreation,” explained Sexton. “We have an opportunity presentation to your group, contact Greg Braun at (561) 758-
2021. This second acquisition, which is on the south to preserve this precious ecosystem for future generations, and 3417 or execdirector@theguardiansofmartincounty.com. For
side of Bridge Road and is adjacent to county-owned we need to take it.” more information, visit www.LoxaLucieHeadwaters.org.
lands, furthers the Loxa-Lucie Initiative’s vision to bring The Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative
undeveloped properties along the Bridge Road corridor is a collaboration among three well- 1
into permanent conservation stewardship. The tract will established nonprofit 501(c)(3) environmental £ ¤ Loxa-Lucie Map
help restore previously existing wetlands and assist in organizations: the Guardians of Martin
re-establishing the natural hydrological connection to the County, the Treasured Lands Foundation St. Lucie R i v e r
Martin
Loxahatchee River. It is within the eastern leg of the Florida and The Conservation Fund. The initiative L u c i e Stuart
Wildlife Corridor project and will also help to conserve a has generated widespread and growing S t .
corridor for the wildlife that depend on these connected support among citizens, community groups,
ecosystems of the Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park and businesses and government entities, including
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. the Town of Jupiter Island and the Martin
1
Historically, this land mass, called the Atlantic Ridge County Board of County Commissioners. £ ¤
Ecosystem, was recognized by the state as the critical Other organizations that have expressed
component in the preservation of the Loxahatchee support include: Audubon of Martin County,
Watershed and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and Center for Plant Conservation, Friends of Atlantic Ridge
was included in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the Hobe Preserve State Park
Program’s (CERP) Indian River Lagoon South Project. Sound Golf Club, Indian River Lagoon
The need to preserve the remaining lands that are part of National Estuary Program, Jupiter Island
these important watersheds is greater than ever. Saltwater Garden Club, Jupiter Island Historical Hobe Sound
intrusion issues in the Loxahatchee, higher demand for Society, Jupiter Island Residents Association, § ¨ ¦ Bridge Rd
95
potable fresh water, increase in development pressure and the Loxahatchee River Management A tl a n ti c
rising real estate values are all driving this urgency. Coordinating Council, the Martin County O c ean
As the Steering Committee for the Loxa-Lucie Initiative Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Jonathan Dickinson
State Park
continues its campaign to generate funds from private the Rivers Coalition, various Hobe Sound area
donors for additional land acquisition, it has also taken its homeowners associations and landowners Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative
message to Tallahassee. “We’re raising awareness about the along the Bridge Road corridor. Priority Parcels
project to garner funding through Florida Forever, a well- The Steering Committee urges all who care Phase 2 Loxa hat Ü
deeply about the Loxa-Lucie Initiative and Loxa-Lucie Preserved Lands Palm Beach che e River
its noble objectives to contribute generously
Dancing With The Martin Stars from page 1 to its ongoing efforts to purchase adjacent Conservation Land Indiantown Rd Jupiter
Water Flow-ways
and related properties in Martin County.
In addition to Carol and Jang, these dancers also brought To make a tax-deductible contribution, go This map shows the lands that the Loxa-Lucie Initiative has identified for
the audience to a pitch of enthusiasm: Noel Thomas, CEO online to support.conservationfund.org and acquisition. Acquisition No. 2 is in the ecological corridor between the
of Zero Trafficking, paired with Cheri Shanti Garcia; Joan select the Donate tab on the menu. Education Loxahatchee River and the south fork of the St. Lucie River.
Goodrich, executive director of the Martin County Business
Development Board, paired with Craig Galvin; Jacilyn
Mikels, director of aesthetics at JeuneNu Aesthetic with Zweben Law Group from page 1
Women’s Health Specialists, paired with Michael Chaves;
Nikki Leserra, creative director at Sky is the Limit Events and About Zweben Law Group
Marketing, paired with Brian Spector; Tony George, elder law Located in historic downtown
attorney, paired with Marianella Tobar; Monique Robbins of Stuart, Zweben Law Group has been
Pretty Little Cupcakes, paired with Yusell Garcia; Dr. Kurt dedicated to helping injured people
Barnhill, Precision Chiropractic & Rehab, paired with Daisy receive the compensation they deserve
Krakowiak-Wiebe; and Dr. Edward Savage, cardiothoracic since its founding in 2001. Led by Gene
surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, paired with Tanya Chaves. Zweben, the firm offers legal services
There were several award winners in a variety of in the areas of personal injury and
categories: Overall Champions Carol and Jang, who wrongful death.
were also the Top Fundraising Team and Top Dancing About United Way Of Martin County
Team; First Runner-Up Dance Team and First Runner- United Way of Martin County’s
Up Fundraising Team Jacilyn and Michael; Second mission is to improve lives by
Runner-Up Fundraising Team Tony and Marianella. mobilizing the caring power of our
“We’re so grateful for the entire community who community. Since 1972, the United
support us each year,” Healthy Start CEO Samantha Way has been working to create long-
Suffich said. “From our local celebrities who danced term social change by investing in
their hearts out on stage and raised funds off stage to the programs that strive to improve Martin
audience that filled the Lyric to capacity, everyone brought County residents’ education, health
their passion for both the event and the cause it supports.” and financial stability. For more
The evening’s sponsors included: Casco Companies, information about United Way of Martin
Inc., HOG Technologies, JeuneNu Aesthetic Beauty County, visit www.UnitedWayMartin.
& Laser Center, Premier Air & Private Jets, Loving org or call (772) 283-4800.
Chiropractic of Stuart, Inc., Ashley Capital, FPL- Florida
Power & Light, Zen Den Infusion Lounge, The Gordana
Uscumlic Foundation, Women’s Health Specialists, Owen
Insurance Group, Madoli Marketing, Coastal Detox, and
Sunshine Land Design.
About Martin County Healthy Start Coalition
Martin County Healthy Start Coalition is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to ensuring that every baby is born
healthy, every mother is supported, and every father is
involved. It provides educational and health services to
pregnant women, new mothers and their families at no
cost, particularly expectant mothers who are at risk for
late or no prenatal care.
Part of a statewide coalition, Healthy Start connects
pregnant women and young mothers with essential
services including prenatal care, home visitations by a
nurse or social worker, breastfeeding support, parenting
education, car seat and sleeping safety, a free diaper
pantry, and access to other community partner agencies
through the Betty Moore Prenatal Outreach Center. The
David Cardno Fatherhood Initiative, also part of the
Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, helps fathers
to become more involved in parenting and offers legal
assistance to fathers who are separated from their
children. Madison’s Miracles, another member of the
Healthy Start family of services, assists families who have
lost an infant.
For more information about Martin County Healthy
Start Coalition and its ongoing programs, visit www.
mchealthystart.org, call (772) 463-2888 or follow the
organization on Facebook.