Conservation Foundation names its new president

Christine Johnson sails, camps, backpacks, reads and swims. She gravitates toward the bays and the beaches. And she believes that, like her 11-year-old daughter, Grace, and her 9-year-old son, Tom, all children should spend time outside learning how to identify plants and animals.

Johnson was recently named incoming president of The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, for which she will succeed Albert Joerger, who has served as president since 2003 and will continue his involvement on the board of trustees.

Johnson and her husband, Bill, returned to Sarasota 10 years ago from Denver without jobs or a house. The next thing she knew, Johnson had joined the fundraising committee for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.

A fifth-generation Floridian, the Manatee County native managed a $70 million fundraising campaign as director of development for Ringling College of Art and Design, while also working on the capital campaign as director of development for Girl Scouts.

Johnson and Joerger were introduced through their in-laws. Over the years, many of their conversations focused on Johnson’s future, as well as the future of the Conservation Foundation.

“I was blown away,” said Johnson about her first visit to the foundation’s Casey Key property. “I thought, ‘It’s so beautiful. How will I get any work done?’”

Joerger told Johnson that when he was ready to step down, he wanted to make sure she applied as his replacement.

“People want to know what Albert Joerger’s doing,” Johnson said. “Now that Albert has gone onto the board, he will be focusing on the land-protection policy.”

Johnson says she’s looking forward to getting the word out to populations from Manatee County to Boca Grande about the ways individuals and organizations can preserve land.

Currently, the foundation is in the beginning stages of the permitting and planning of the 230-acre Pine Island Preserve at Matlacha Pass, in Boca Grande. It will be converted into a public park for wildlife habitat protection, environmental education and recreation.

On Sunday, Nov. 20, the foundation will debut its Artist in Residence Program on Bay Preserve. The program opened this year to welcome visual, literary and performing artists whose work is inspired by the environment.

“It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of Albert Joerger, who has done so much in eight short years to protect the character, natural integrity and biodiversity of our region,” Johnson said. “I am excited to be leading an organization dedicated to protecting the Gulf Coast’s bays, beaches, barrier islands and watersheds — not just for wildlife but also for people.”