North Florida Land Trust announced July 6 that Jim McCarthy is stepping down as its president after eight years in the role.
“Finishing law school this year caused me to look at things a bit differently. While it was directly applicable to my role at the land trust, this is the time for me to step away and take on some different challenges. We have accomplished a great deal and I am proud of that,” McCarthy said in a news release.
His last day will be Aug. 31, but he will continue to consult for the land trust an additional six months after that.
Joining the land trust in 2014, McCarthy grew the organization from 2.5 positions to 14 and increased its operating budget from $233,000 to $2.5 million in 2022.
During that time, the trust secured more than $46 million in federal, state, foundation and individual funding to protect property through conservation. Each year it has increased its net worth, growing from $8.8 million in 2014 to $17.9 million through 2021.
In 2015, the trust created the Preservation Portfolio, which identifies the most important areas for conservation in Northeast Florida.
The organization was accredited in 2018 by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, which accredits land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence.
In 2019 the trust initiated and now leads the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor, a regional partnership of 26 public agencies and private organizations working toward protection of 140,000 acres by 2036.
“We are very grateful to Jim for his leadership. Our growth can be directly attributed to his relationships with key decision and policy makers. He has been the face of NFLT for the past eight years. We look forward to continuing to work with him through the transition and wish him all the best in his next venture,” said board Chair John Delaney in the release.