Page 4 - Palm City Spotlight - November '23

Page 4, Palm City Spotlight

Loxa-Lucie Initiative from page 1 Loxahatchee River. It is within the eastern leg of the Florida support include: Audubon of Martin County, Center for Plant
Wildlife Corridor project and will also help to conserve a Conservation, Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park,
the generosity of the community,” said Matt Sexton, senior corridor for the wildlife that depend on these connected the Hobe Sound Golf Club, Indian River Lagoon National
vice president and southeast regional director for the ecosystems of the Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park and Estuary Program, Jupiter Island Garden Club, Jupiter Island
Conservation Fund and a Loxa-Lucie Steering Committee Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Historical Society, Jupiter Island Residents Association, the
member. “The fundraising campaign we launched last Historically, this land mass, called the Atlantic Ridge Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council, the
December to purchase this piece of land was a great Ecosystem, was recognized by the state as the critical Martin County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society,
success. The $1.2 million raised enabled us to acquire the component in the preservation of the Loxahatchee Watershed the Rivers Coalition, various Hobe Sound area homeowners
land with private donations. We didn’t need to draw on any and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and was included associations and landowners along the Bridge Road corridor.
governmental funds.” in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program’s The Steering Committee urges all who care deeply about
The first parcel purchased by the Loxa-Lucie Initiative (CERP) Indian River Lagoon South Project. the Loxa-Lucie Initiative and its noble objectives to contribute
was a two-mile long stretch along the north side of Bridge The need to preserve the remaining lands that are part of generously to its ongoing efforts to purchase adjacent and
Road that was acquired in 2021. This second acquisition, these important watersheds is greater than ever. Saltwater related properties in Martin County. To make a tax-deductible
which is on the south side of Bridge Road and is adjacent intrusion issues in the Loxahatchee, higher demand for contribution, go online to support.conservationfund.org and
to county-owned lands, furthers the Loxa-Lucie Initiative’s potable fresh water, increase in development pressure and select the Donate tab on the menu. Education and outreach
vision to bring undeveloped properties along the Bridge Road rising real estate values are all driving this urgency. are also critical to this initiative. To schedule a presentation
corridor into permanent conservation stewardship. The tract As the Steering Committee for the Loxa-Lucie Initiative to your group, contact Greg Braun at (561) 758-3417 or
will help restore previously existing wetlands and assist in continues its campaign to generate funds from private donors execdirector@theguardiansofmartincounty.com. For more
re-establishing the natural hydrological connection to the for additional land acquisition, it has also taken its message information, visit www.LoxaLucieHeadwaters.org.
to Tallahassee. “We’re raising awareness about the project to
garner funding through
Dancing With The Martin Stars from page 1 Florida Forever, a well-
1
established statewide £ ¤ Loxa-Lucie Map
of Zero Trafficking, paired with Cheri Shanti Garcia; program to buy land
Joan Goodrich, executive director of the Martin County for conservation and St. Lucie R i v e r
Business Development Board, paired with Craig Galvin; recreation,” explained Martin L u c i e
Jacilyn Mikels, director of aesthetics at JeuneNu Aesthetic Sexton. “We have Stuart
with Women’s Health Specialists, paired with Michael an opportunity to S t .
Chaves; Nikki Leserra, creative director at Sky is the preserve this precious
Limit Events and Marketing, paired with Brian Spector; ecosystem for future
Tony George, elder law attorney, paired with Marianella generations, and we
Tobar; Monique Robbins of Pretty Little Cupcakes, need to take it.”
1
paired with Yusell Garcia; Dr. Kurt Barnhill, Precision The Loxa-Lucie £ ¤
Chiropractic & Rehab, paired with Daisy Krakowiak- Headwaters Initiative
Wiebe; and Dr. Edward Savage, cardiothoracic surgeon is a collaboration
at Cleveland Clinic, paired with Tanya Chaves. among three
Atlantic Ridge
There were several award winners in a variety of well-established Preserve State Park
categories: Overall Champions Carol and Jang, who nonprofit 501(c)
were also the Top Fundraising Team and Top Dancing (3) environmental
Team; First Runner-Up Dance Team and First Runner-Up organizations: the
Fundraising Team Jacilyn and Michael; Second Runner- Guardians of Martin Hobe Sound
Up Fundraising Team Tony and Marianella. County, the Treasured Bridge Rd
95
“We’re so grateful for the entire community who Lands Foundation § ¨ ¦
support us each year,” Healthy Start CEO Samantha and The Conservation A tl a n ti c
Suffich said. “From our local celebrities who danced Fund. The initiative has O c ean
their hearts out on stage and raised funds off stage to the generated widespread Jonathan Dickinson
audience that filled the Lyric to capacity, everyone brought and growing support State Park
their passion for both the event and the cause it supports.” among citizens,
The evening’s sponsors included: Casco Companies, community groups, Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative
Inc., HOG Technologies, JeuneNu Aesthetic Beauty busi ne sse s a nd Priority Parcels
& Laser Center, Premier Air & Private Jets, Loving government entities, Loxa hat Ü
Chiropractic of Stuart, Inc., Ashley Capital, FPL- Florida including the Town Phase 2 Palm Beach
Power & Light, Zen Den Infusion Lounge, The Gordana of Jupiter Island and Loxa-Lucie Preserved Lands che e River
Uscumlic Foundation, Women’s Health Specialists, Owen the Martin County Conservation Land Indiantown Rd
Insurance Group, Madoli Marketing, Coastal Detox, and Board of County Water Flow-ways Jupiter
Sunshine Land Design. Commissioners.
About Martin County Healthy Start Coalition Other organizations This map shows the lands that the Loxa-Lucie Initiative has identified for acquisition. Acquisition No.
Martin County Healthy Start Coalition is a nonprofit that have expressed 2 is in the ecological corridor between the Loxahatchee River and the south fork of the St. Lucie River.
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 Life moves fast—
County Healthy Start Coalition, helps fathers to become

more involved in parenting and offers legal assistance to prepare for the unexpected
fathers who are separated from their children. Madison’s
Miracles, another member of the Healthy Start family of with Accident Insurance.
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.
We’re here to help.

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