The Lambda Alpha International (LAI) SemiQ East Coast Tour: Land Use & History (1776-2026) celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a series of tours hosted by the seven Eastern Region chapters: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, FL Suncoast, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours (Tours) hosted by the LAI Fl Suncoast Chapter (Chapter) were the first tours in the series.
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| Tours group photo at the Selby Gardens banyan tree. photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
As detailed in the Tours Itinerary, the Tours consisted of an opening reception, two days of tours filled with prominent speakers including a two-hour Sarasota Bay History Cruise. Due to travel logistics and timing, the Tours destinations were restricted to the City of Sarasota and northern Sarasota County.
As a precursor to the Tours the Chapter hosted a Land Economics Dialogues (LED) event on Wednesday, February 25 9 am – 4 pm. The LED focus was on local Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions.
As distinguished participants with diverse land economics expertise traveled to Sarasota for the Tours, it was synergistic to host an LED event the day prior to the Tours.
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation generously hosted the LED at their Philanthropy Center in downtown Sarasota.
The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine article, Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions, published as a thorough synopsis of the empowering day; the Holly Elmore Images (HEI) album, February 25, 2025 Land Economics Dialogues, provides a pictorial recap of the LED.
A Debt of Gratitude: Tours/LED Sponsors & Partners
The 2026 Tours/LED were made possible through the generous support and collaborative spirit of our regional partners. A profound thank you is extended to those who invested in this multidisciplinary bridge for the Florida Suncoast.
Foundational Funding Sponsors
Our gratitude is expressed to the organizations whose financial commitment anchored this event:
- John McCarthy
- Florida Power & Light (FPL)
- Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay Foundation
- The Jane Family Foundation
Strategic In-Kind Partners
A special thank you to the institutions that provided the space and professional expertise to elevate the dialogue:
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation: For generously hosting the LED at their Philanthropy Center and providing a premier environment for regional collaboration.
- Sarasota Art Museum: For the invaluable contribution of Petra Gurin’s time and talent as the Tours/LED Project Manager.
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: For the invaluable contribution of John McCarthy’s expertise as the Tours/LED Co-Lead and historical guide and for opening the Gardens early for a private tour.
- Sarasota County: For the professional time and dedication of Sara Kane as a vital participant and strategic contributor to our regional environmental goals.
Media and documentation is the foundation for the Tours/LED's continuing impact.
- Adamus Media: For the professional design and media talents of Sylwia Majewski, which brought a sophisticated visual identity to the Tours/LED's outreach.
- Bill Wagy, Bill Wagy Productions: For his professional videography services, capturing the dialogue's expert presentations and strategy sessions to ensure this knowledge continues to serve the community.
- Earth Impact (Ei): For the development, curation, and digital publication of the LED’s technical findings and strategic outcomes and Tours' profound educational experience.
- Holly Elmore Images: For the comprehensive photo-documentation of the events and the creation of the LED photo gallery and the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours gallery series.
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| John and Barbara as the Tours end photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
Catering & Hospitality
Ample nutritious food and beverages are essential to successful day-long meetings.
- Chef Kelley Hawks, Tiki Go Go Catering: For keeping our attendees hydrated and fueled with vibrant, healthy, and sustainably sourced cuisine.
Logistics & Volunteer Leadership
Barbara Williams, Chapter member, for her stellar leadership in securing the Tours/LED volunteer team and overseeing the complex registration and event logistics.
Our Dedicated Volunteers: Including Petra Gurin, whose project management was essential to the day’s success and Christy May, whose presence was memorable and inspirational.
Land Optimization in ACTION: The Tours Common Thread
In alignment with LAI's commitment to "winnowing and sifting" of land economics ideals, projects and other related discussions, the Tours leadership chose the
+theme of Land Optimization as the common thread to showcase four prominent landmarks. Rather than using a single focus, such a preservation or commercial development, land optimization integrates economic viability with environmental restoration and community resilience
The Tours destinations represents a case study in land optimization, a multidisciplinary approach:
- Nathan Benderson Park: A former shell borrow pit adapted into a world-class competitive rowing venue. This transformation optimized an industrial void into a massive community park that serves as a global economic driver for the region.
- Celery Fields: A historic farm transformed into a vital regional stormwater facility. By optimizing the land for flood mitigation, the project simultaneously established a premier bird sanctuary and an Audubon-led nature center, turning infrastructure into an eco-tourism asset.
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: A bayfront sanctuary widely recognized as the world’s first net-positive-energy botanical garden. Through careful master planning and creative partnerships, the site optimizes botanical preservation with pioneering sustainable technology.
- The Bay Sarasota: A transformation of 53 acres of mostly impervious parking lots into a resilient, blue-green oasis. A primary goal of the master plan involves "protecting the bay from the city and the city from the bay." By utilizing advanced water-quality marshes and bioswales, the park filters urban runoff before it reaches the Sarasota Bay. Simultaneously, the restored shoreline and mangrove bayou act as a natural buffer, shielding the city’s upland assets from storm surge and extreme weather events.
The Tours opened with a lovely evening reception hosted at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) Philanthropy Center in downtown Sarasota. Attendees were treated to delicious appetizers and an open bar.
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| Laura Wilson after her induction ceremony photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
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| Jennifer speaking photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
On Thursday, February 26, the Land Tours opened with an overview session over a continental breakfast hosted at the GCCF Philanthropy Center. Once loaded on the awaiting bus, Tours attendees were treated to three venue visits: Nathan Benderson Park, University Town Center (for lunch), and the Audubon Nature Center located at The Celery Fields (TCF.)
After welcoming attendees to the Land Tours, John turned the floor over the GCCF Director of Public Policy & Advocacy Jon Thaxton who introduced the GCCF; the GCCF serves as a public charity that transforms donor philanthropy into regional impact by funding initiatives focused on civic, social, and environmental health. Through its Philanthropy Center, the GCCF provides a premier collaborative hub for local leaders to address critical regional challenges such as land use, water security, and economic resilience.
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| It was full house at the GCCF session photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
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| Elliott speaking photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
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| John educating and entertaining on the bus photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
NBP Session
While at the NBP Finish Tower, attendees were treated to three presentations that showcased the economic benefits of land optimization.
Erin Duggan: Strategic Destination Marketing and Economic Impact
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| Erin speaking photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
A highlight of the session involved the organization’s commitment to sustainable hospitality, exemplified by the "SWAG" materials provided to participants. These kits included a high-quality reusable beverage container from Tervis, a local Sarasota-based company. This gesture served as a practical demonstration of regional partnership by encouraging the reduction of single-use plastics throughout the Tours.
Erin's PPT presentation is available for download at this LINK.
John McCarthy: The Evolution of a World-Class Aquatic Center
In his presentation, John traced the industrial transformation of NBP from a shell borrow pit into a premier international rowing destination. The site's history is a definitive case study in land optimization, as the master plan evolved through rigorous research and collaboration with the international rowing community. Key structural modifications, such as the creation of a 30-acre island and the integration of a 10-lane buoyed course, were designed to meet elite global standards while providing a beautiful public asset.
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| John speaking photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
John's PPT presentation is available for download at this LINK.
Sara Kane: Resilience and Sustainability as Economic Drivers
Sara Kane, Sustainability and Resilience Manager for Sarasota County, addressed the strategic necessity of preparing for environmental volatility through adaptation and mitigation planning. The presentation outlined the County's commitment to a "People, Planet, Prosperity" framework, which balances economic development with environmental stewardship. Central to this approach is the Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan, which identifies critical regional assets and prioritizes projects that enhance resilience against flooding and storm surges.
The session emphasized that sustainability is an investment in long-term economic viability rather than a mere cost center. For every dollar spent on coastal hazard mitigation, significant savings are realized through reduced disaster damage and lower insurance premiums. Through initiatives like the Green Business Partnership and nature-based solutions—such as living shorelines and bioswales—the County establishes a model for institutionalizing knowledge and establishing regenerative practices as the regional standard.
Sara's PPT presentation is available for download at this LINK.
Lunch at University Town Center
Located adjacent to NBP and with multiple dining destinations, The Mall at University Town Center (UTC) was a perfect venue for attendees to explore for their two-hour lunch.
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| Lunch at Season 52 photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
Local leadership used the unstructured lunch as an opportunity to spend time with LAI global leadership on the Tours. It was a lovely, productive lunch at Seasons 52.
The Celery Fields: A Model of Collaborative Land Optimization
As previously shared by John at morning GCCF session, TCF provided a tangible illustration of collaborative land optimization. Though once hub for intensive agriculture that left significant contaminants on the land, the site now functions as a primary regional stormwater facility. Yet its success as a multi-functional landscape is the direct result of deep institutional collaboration.
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| Shanta & Durga Poudel on "the Hill" overlooking the watershed ponds. photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
Sara Reisinger: The Sarasota Audubon Society Nature Center
After welcoming the Tours attendees, SAS President Sara Reisinger provided an overview of the SAS role in managing the Gold Leed-Certified Nature Center. Additionally, SAS maintains the specialized native-plant gardens that serve as the gateway to the expansive TCF grounds. While the property functions as a primary County stormwater facility, the society provides critical stewardship by monitoring the health of the local ecosystem and the over 220 bird species that utilize the site. Through a strategic partnership with the County, the society delivers the educational programs and volunteer expertise that transform this essential infrastructure into a premier regional destination for environmental education and eco-tourism.
Sara's PPT presentation is available for download at this LINK.
Christine Johnson: Conservation Strategy and the Quad Parcels
President of the BWLT Christine Johnson opened her presentation with an overview of conservation easements and the role that they play at the intersection of environmental stewardship and economics. Following her introductory slides, Christine detailed the strategic efforts to preserve the "Quad Parcels" adjacent to TCF. The Quads initiative represents a sophisticated approach to Land Optimization by securing buffer zones that prevent high-density development from encroaching on sensitive environmental assets. The presentation outlined how BWLT utilizes conservation easements and public-private partnerships to ensure long-term land stewardship. By maintaining these parcels as open space, the conservation easement protects the regional investment in stormwater infrastructure while enhancing the ecological corridor for native wildlife and migratory birds.
Christine's PPT presentation is available for download at this LINK.
Jeanne Dubé and Sandy Gilbert: Wildlife and Water: A Winning Combination
Good friends Jeanne & Christine
pose before the session started.
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images
Jeanne Dubé (SAS) and Sandy Gilbert (START/Healthy Pond Collaborative) delivered a joint presentation illustrating the vital link between land management and aquatic health. The session began with an update on the ongoing efforts to protect and restore the "Quad Parcels" and expanded on Christine's introduction to the "Quad Parcels." Ongoing fundraising for this project beyond the already nearly $3 million secured, underscores the community commitment to maintaining the SE Quad as a woodland and pond ecosystem.
The discussion then transitioned to the broader regional impact of the Healthy Pond Collaborative. Sandy Gilbert detailed how the management of stormwater ponds directly affects the health of the Sarasota Bay watershed. By identifying the characteristics of "bad" or eroding ponds and implementing restoration strategies—such as installing littoral shelves and reducing nutrient runoff—the collaborative helps prevent the algal blooms that degrade regional water quality. This dual-focused presentation demonstrated that protecting upland assets like the Quads is inseparable from the proactive management of the water systems that sustain them.
Jeanne and Sandy's joint PPT presentation is available for download at this LINK.
Before boarding the bus, Tours attendees were eager to climb "the Hill' comprised of agriculture remnants and explore the microforest mentioned by Chapter member Tim Rumage, Ringling College of Art + Design, during the LED.
Once on the bus, the entourage headed back to downtown Sarasota where Tours attendees were on their own for dinner within Sarasota's eclectic dining scene.
Two-by-Sea: Harmonizing Development with the Bayfront Ecosystem
On Friday, February 27, attendees embarked on the Sea Tours, providing the final chapter to two days in Sarasota. This aquatic transition examined the relationship between urban development and the vitality of Sarasota Bay; the Sea Tours illustrated how Land Optimization upstream directly influences the ecological and economic health of the bayfront.
Building upon the foundational history and terrestrial infrastructure explored during the land-based sessions, the focus transitioned to the aquatic systems that define the Sarasota region. The Sea Tours examined the complex relationship between urban development and the vitality of Sarasota Bay. By moving from the upland stormwater facilities of TCF to the open water, the narrative illustrated how Land Optimization upstream directly influences the ecological and economic health of the bayfront.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Botanical Research and Coastal Resilience
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| Calder Exhibit sign photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
A unique highlight of the visit involved the 2026 Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement; the exhibit integrates Calder’s abstract forms with the botanical world to emphasize the cultural value of nature. This behind-the-scenes access provided a transition from the regional scale of land use to the granular botanical research that informs coastal restoration and biodiversity.
Sarasota Bay History Cruise: A Masterclass in Maritime Stewardship
Following the garden tours, the group boarded the vessel for a two-hour narrated journey across Sarasota Bay, navigating from the Selby docks to the 10th Street docks. This vantage point allowed for a direct assessment of the "protecting the bay from the city and the city from the bay" philosophy. The experience featured a high-level educational rotation led by regional experts, providing a comprehensive view of the bay as both a historical and biological system.
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| Randy educating on the cruise photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
The maritime experience concluded at The Bay, where the focus shifted to the regional impact of Sarasota’s newest signature park through a comprehensive presentation.
The Bay: Transforming a Vision into a Signature Public Park
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| The historic Bayfront Community Center photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
Prior to the core presentation, Jon Thaxton shared a candid history of the park’s evolution, detailing how a collective vision became reality through public-private partnership, ingenuity, and tenacity.
Bill Waddill and Diana Shaheen: The Bay Master Plan and Implementation
Former COO Bill Waddill and current COO Diana Shaheen co-presented a detailed overview of the master plan and its ongoing implementation. The session highlighted the transformation of 53 acres of city-owned bayfront land into a "blue and green oasis" that serves as a living laboratory for urban restoration. A significant portion of this acreage was previously—and in some areas remains—a vast parking lot of impervious surface. The master plan effectively reclaims this paved expanse to create a porous, resilient environment.
A central focus of the technical discussion involved the park’s role as the "last line of defense" for the Sarasota Bay watershed. The presenters outlined a sophisticated Stormwater Treatment Train, which includes baffle boxes, denitrification trenches, and treatment ponds. These systems are engineered to treat every drop of the 300 million gallons of polluted urban stormwater that flow through the site annually before entering the bay.
Key operational and strategic insights included:
- Resilience by Design: The presenters contrasted the resilient design of the current park with non-resilient structures nearby. The Bay served as a community respite following recent storm events and was the only city park to reopen just one day after Hurricane Milton in 2024.
- Phased Evolution: Phase 1, which opened in October 2022, surpassed the one-million-visitor milestone in late 2025. The upcoming Phase 2 (Target Completion: End of 2026) focuses on "More Park for All." This expansion includes a resilient shoreline and a new Canal District that will ultimately feature 14 floating day docks. The first set of these docks opened mere days prior to the arrival of the Sea Tours, and the attendees utilized this new infrastructure to dock and transition into the park.
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP): The Bay Park Conservancy manages the park under a long-term agreement with the City of Sarasota. Funding is secured through a combination of private donations, government grants, and a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.
The session concluded with a personalized park tour led by Bill and Diana. Attendees observed the completed Phase 1 features—including the Mangrove Bayou, the "Nest" playground, and the award-winning restored shorelines—firsthand.
An Evening of Historical Reflection at Sage
To conclude the day’s activities, approximately 20 attendees converged on Sage Restaurant for a Happy Hour generously hosted by John McCarthy. Located in the historic Sarasota Times Building, the venue provided a sophisticated architectural backdrop for final networking and reflection. As the former home of one of the city’s early newspapers, the building stands as a testament to the preservation of Sarasota’s downtown heritage.
Following the reception, 12 participants remained to enjoy a formal dinner. These final hours of camaraderie served as a celebratory conclusion to the two-day exploration of land economics and regional stewardship. Then, with the mission of the Tours fulfilled, it was time for farewell.
The 2026 Tours provided a comprehensive examination of the symbiotic relationship between strategic land use and regional vitality. From the upland water-cleansing systems of the Celery Fields to the resilient, transformed acreage of The Bay, the itinerary demonstrated that Land Optimization is not a static goal but a continuous practice of stewardship. Attendees departed with a deepened understanding of how intentional infrastructure, public-private synergy, and environmental integrity coalesce to secure the future of the Sarasota landscape.
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Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work.
For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org.
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