05/09/2026
Sportsmen’s Trust Group Meeting — May 5, 2026
Thank you all for joining us Tuesday night in Okeechobee for the Florida Sportsmen’s Trust Group meeting. The turnout was outstanding, and the room was filled with individuals and organizations who clearly care deeply about conservation and the future of Florida. The level of engagement, perspective, and collaboration was encouraging, and it reinforced the value of bringing this group back together.
Sportsmen’s Trust Group Reunites in Okeechobee
The Florida Sportsmen’s Trust Group gathered Tuesday night in Okeechobee for a productive and well attended meeting that brought together a broad cross section of conservation partners, agency leaders, and sportsmen’s organizations. The evening reflected a shared commitment to improving access, supporting conservation, and strengthening the future of Florida’s public lands.
The room was full of energy, and the discussion highlighted the value of collaboration across organizations that care about wildlife, habitat, and public access. Attendees represented a wide range of interests, but the common thread was clear: protecting Florida’s natural resources while preserving meaningful opportunities for sportsmen and the public.
A Shared Commitment to Conservation Access
The Sportsmen’s Trust Group was formed to unite sportsmen working to improve access to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and to ensure public lands continue to provide meaningful hunting opportunities. In 2012, members of the group traveled to Washington, D.C., where they testified before the Natural Resources Committee in support of greater sportsmen’s access on National Wildlife Refuge lands.
Since then, the group has continued working toward practical access solutions in cooperation with conservation partners and agency leaders. One of the most significant outcomes of that effort was helping establish a memorandum of understanding between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That leadership helped shape a more constructive relationship between sportsmen, agency partners, large landowners, and conservation minded organizations.
Accomplishments Over the Past 14 Years
The group’s long term efforts have contributed to meaningful gains in public access and habitat opportunities across Florida. A major milestone was the establishment of the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, which authorized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire up to 50,000 acres in fee title and 100,000 acres in conservation easements across the region.
Following the signing of the MOU with FWC, the Sportsmen’s Trust Group encouraged new wildlife management areas and refuge access opportunities to follow rules similar to those at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. That approach helped shape access and hunting opportunities that benefit sportsmen today.
These efforts helped open or expand access on several important properties and refuges, including:
* Hatchineha Ranch WMA — 1,460 acres
* Kissimmee Bend WMA — 5,305 acres
* Okeechobee WMA — 1,867 acres
* Arbuckle WMA — an additional 600 acres, bringing the total to 15,747 acres
* Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge — deer hunting, airboat access, and alligator hunting opportunities not seen there in 50 years
* Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge — a new big game archery hunt
* Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge — expanded deer and turkey hunting opportunities
* Panther National Wildlife Refuge — turkey hunting opportunity
These accomplishments reflect years of steady work, persistence, and advocacy on behalf of sportsmen. They also show what can happen when organized sportsmen, conservation partners, and agency leaders work together toward practical solutions.
Looking Ahead
The meeting in Okeechobee marked an important step forward in continuing that collaboration. Participants discussed next steps, and the group will continue coordinating future meetings and identifying opportunities to build on the progress already made. For those who were unable to attend, future meetings will provide additional opportunities to participate in the conversation and contribute to this shared effort. The work ahead remains meaningful, and the enthusiasm in the room made one thing clear: there is strong momentum and a real opportunity to continue making a difference for conservation and access in Florida.
Attendees
* Julie Morris, Florida Conservation Group
* Avery Owens, Florida Conservation Group
* Matt Nelson, Florida Sportsmen Conservation Association (FSCA)
* Bishop Wright, Florida Sportsmen Conservation Association (FSCA)
* Lauresa Musgrove, Youth Hunting Program of Florida
* Billy Boatwright, SCI South Florida
* Kyle Archaki, Broward Airboat and Half Track Conservation Club
* John Rosier, Everglades Coordinating Council
* Stacy Whittum, Delta Waterfowl
* Tom Oates, Cypress IWLA
* Betty Osceola, Cypress IWLA
* Mike Elfenbein, Cypress IWLA
* Danny Watson, Camp Owner WCA 3A
* Cole Mitchell, Ducks Unlimited
* Elizabeth Guthrie, Ducks Unlimited
* Larry Daniels, Florida Airboat Association
* Brad Weihrauch, Florida Airboat Association
* Brad Phares, Cowhunter’s Unlimited
* Mark Barton, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
* Mallory Dimmitt, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation
* Tiffany Leigh, American Daughters of Conservation
* Gretchen Hoke, Rain Frog Ranch
* Zach Franco, Archbold Biological Station
* Jake Fojtik, Florida Farm Bureau
* Ricky Lackey, National Wild Turkey Federation
* Newton Cook, United Waterfowls of Florida
* Kathy Burchett, USFWS Refuge Supervisor, Area II
* Keith Ramos, USFWS Project Leader, Merritt Island NWR Complex
* Eric Verderber, USFWS Acting Project Leader, Everglades Headwaters NWR Complex
* Kevin Godsea, USFWS Project Leader, Southwest Florida NWR Complex
* Rebekah Gibble, USFWS Acting Project Leader, ARM Loxahatchee NWR Complex
* Tom Reinert, FWC South Region Director
* Julia Lindley, FWC South Region Public Lands Biologist
* Justin Bingham, FWC Public Hunting Areas Biologist
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This meeting demonstrated the strength of a coalition built on shared purpose, steady advocacy, and long-term commitment. The Florida Sportsmen’s Trust Group continues to stand as a voice for practical access, conservation partnership, and the future of Florida’s public lands.
