February GPICA Meeting: Learn How the Calusa Land Trust Works to Protect the Island
Did you know that Pine Island is home to a land trust that has been working to protect Pine Island’s natural habitats since 1976? The Calusa Land Trust 
and Nature Preserve is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that was created to protect the natural diversity and beauty of Pine Island by acquiring, managing and preserving in perpetuity environmentally sensitive or historically important land.
Today, the Trust has protected more than 2,400 acres of native wetlands, pinelands and uplands and manages more than 67 parcels that have helped to protect more than two-thirds of Pine Island’s mangroves, which play a vital role in the Island’s fragile ecosystem.
We’ve invited Pine Island native and Calusa Land Trust Board Member Robert Ballard (who recently stepped down as the Land Trust’s long-serving President) to be the main speaker at our February meeting. You will learn more about the Trust, where Trust lands have public access for hiking and how you can get involved and support the mission of this vital Island organization.
- When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6
- Where: The Pine Island United Methodist Church, 5701 Pine Island Road NW, Bokeelia
- Online: We will also livestream the meeting to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PineIslandCivicAssociation
- Etc.: You will be asked to vote on January’s meeting minutes. Please click here to review them in advance of the meeting.
Also on the February Agenda: 2024 GPICA Board Elections
Members in good standing will vote for new GPICA Board Members. We will also accept nominations from the floor for write-in candidates before the vote. Nominees must be GPICA members in good standing (current in your dues) and have been a member for at least six months. We must have a quorum of members to vote, so please be sure to attend this annual meeting.
Current nominees are:
- Sue Dahod — First appointed to the board in 2023
Sue Dahod has lived in Bokeelia since 2014. She grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, and vacationed with family in the Florida Keys. Sue developed a love for nature and the ocean while growing up. She studied biology and aquatic ecology and received a BS degree in Biology and later obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering. She worked for several pharmaceutical companies and did manufacturing support, process development, and project management for biologically made products.Sue’s passions in retirement include painting, gardening and volunteering for clean water advocacy groups. She is the local Ranger leader for Calusa Waterkeeper and is active in the Florida Right to Clean Water movement. - Connie D’Alessio — First appointed to the board in 2021
Connie D’Alessio was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. She and her husband, Guy, raised two beautiful children. Connie is a graduate of SUNY Empire State College and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management. Connie’s professional career included 23 years on Information Systems teams within the cable industry. She spent the last three years of her career as a consultant traveling the country for various assignments and implementations. The mantra she tries to live by is “Be the Change You Want to See in the World” from Mahatma Ghandi. - Steve Eldredge — Appointed as the Board’s acting secretary shortly after joining the GPICA in August 2023. February marks the date of his eligibility to serve as a full board member.
Steve Eldredge has lived in Bokeelia since 2019, but has been coming to the Island for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Kristi, have four children who live in Minnesota, Colorado and Florida. He was an investment manager for his entire career, predominately spent working for RBC and Wells Fargo. Steve graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in finance and earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Recently retired, Steve looks forward to maintaining the Island’s ambience and making the GPICA the best that it can be.
March GPICA Meeting: Meeting Location Change Coming in March 2024
Starting on March 5, we are moving our monthly meeting location to the First Baptist Church of Pine Island, 5363 Avenue D, Bokeelia, FL, 33922. This is the church located next to Pine Island Elementary School. The Church has kindly offered us use of their space, which will help the GPICA reduce our expenses, while still allowing us to livestream meetings for those who cannot attend in person.
March GPICA Meeting
- When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5
- Where: First Baptist Church of Pine Island, 5363 Avenue D, Bokeelia, FL, 33922. This is the church located next to Pine Island Elementary School.
- Main Speaker — To Be Announced