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| LAI Induction Ceremony Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
About LAI
LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.
LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.
Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by an LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.
LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.
Suncoast Chapter (underdevelopment) History
In December 2013, Elemental Impact (Ei) Founder & CEO Holly Elmore was inducted into membership and served on the LAI Atlanta Chapter Board. As the International Assistant Communications Director, Holly serves on the LAI Global Executive Committee.
After residing in Atlanta for 40 years. Holly returned to her hometown, Sarasota, Florida in 2021. With no current chapter in Florida, Holly established an environmental Leadership Group (LG) of At-Large LAI members.
LAI Suncoast Leadership Group
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| Steve @ Siesta #1 Beach sign Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
With amazing barrier-island beaches (Siesta Key was named #1 beach in the U.S. by TripAdvisor,) and lovely intracoastal waterways, Sarasota's economy is water-quality based and driven by tourism.
Below are the LG members:
- Bridgett Luther, Table2Farms Founder & Visionary
- Charles Reith, Ph.D, Suncoast Urban Reforesters Founder
- Christine Johnson, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast President
- Dave Tomasko, Ph,D, Sarasota Bay Estuary Foundation Executive Director
- Holly Elmore, Ei Founder & CEO
- Jan Pitchford, Sarasota Office Department Administrator at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
- Jane Grandbouche, Chair The Jane Family Foundation
- John McCarthy, V.P. for Regional History at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation SVP for Community Investment
- Mary Anne Bowie, FAICP, Retired & Universal Unitarian Green Team Chair
- Mary Dougherty, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Executive Director
- Sandy Gilbert, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START) Chair
- Steve Suau, Consultant with Carbon Life LLC
- Tim Rumage, Ringling College of Art & Design Professor of Environmental Studies
LG members, along with their respective headshots and bios, are listed on the Ei LG page.
As shared by Christine, the poignant quote by Luna Leopold sets the theme for the LG:
The health of our waters depends upon how well we live on the land
The LG members are committed to action via projects, education, and collaboration within the Sarasota community; initial focus is on the Sarasota Bay-water quality including prevention of contaminants flowing from the land and cleansing pollutants within the water.
Coastal-Water Quality: challenges, solutions, and economic impact
With tourism a major regional economic driver, it is imperative to retain the pristine status of the region's barrier-island beaches, the bays and estuaries, the Gulf, and inland water-oriented recreation areas.
Ei orchestrated an impressive February 17, 2023 LAI Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact Global Webinar. The global webinar was the second program in an eighteen-month series about water and land economics around the globe hosted by the LAI Global Water Group.
The Sarasota Bay Report Card documents achievements and remaining challenging scenarios. Teamwork is required for success with support provided by local, state, and federal governments as well as the community (foundations and taxpayers.)
Panelists included:
- David Tomasko, Ph.D
- Jon Thaxton
- Christine Johnson
- Sandy Gilbert
Sarasota ROCKS when it comes to water-quality commitments; after all, the local economy and way of life depend on healthy waters!
Watch the webinar recording on LAI TV to learn about Sarasota’s successful collaborative water-quality projects and programs; the Regeneration in ACTION (RiA) Magazine article, Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact, provides an in-depth synopsis of the webinar content; panelist PPT presentations are available for download within the article copy.
The RiA article, Coastal Water Quality: land-based activity determines the quality & related economic impact, showcases many of the impressive water-quality initiatives accomplished and in-process by LG members.
LAI Global Chapter Development Support
With the prestigious membership and above-mentioned accomplishments, LAI Global Leadership committed to support and invest in the development of a formal LAI Suncoast Chapter.
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| A profound meeting ended with a group photo Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
The impressive November 28 event was attended by 40-plus LG members as well as potential new members. As the event keynote speaker, MOTE Marine CEO Dr. David Crosby shared MOTE Marine's history, dynamic impact, and the status of the MOTE Aquarium under construction. The Finish Tower event facility overlooked the MOTE Aquarium construction site.
After Dr. Crosby's keynote presentation, Steve gave an intro to LAI followed by the member-induction ceremony. Kathy presented each inductee with their LAI-member certificate in a leather-bound case.
The Holly Elmore Images album, LAI Suncoast Chapter (underdevelopment) Event, showcases the November 28 event while the LAI Suncoast Tours, Meetings, and Inductions album chronicles the plethora of activities during Steve and Kathy's three-day Sarasota visit.
Chapter Development
With LAI Global support and guidance, the Suncoast LG will expand membership to include esteemed professionals in the multitude of land economics professions. Additionally, at least quarterly, the LG will host a social-networking event, meeting, and/or tour for existing and potential new members.
Once the Suncoast LG meets the established chapter-development protocol, LAI will charter a Suncoast Chapter and continue to support the young chapter. It is thrilling to bring "The Power of LAI" to the Florida Central Gulf Coast!
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Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work.