Protecting our unique Red Hills habitat for future generations and celebrating life’s passages in a natural, sacred space.
Don Braegger, Board President
Don is a native of Utah and has always enjoyed the beauty that our planet has to offer. He was a Financial Advisor for 30 years and has spent much of the last 8 years since retiring living a nomadic life in his 24ft travel trailer and taking in the diversity of environs that this great country has to offer. Don is a newcomer to Tallahassee but his partner has lived on the Miccosukee Land Co-Op for nearly 40 years. They are both excited to be part of this effort to preserve this acreage as their property shares part of the eastern border of what will be Hickory Preserve.
Anne Hempel, Board Vice President
Anne is happiest when surrounded by nature. She is an artist that paints what catches her eye and heart in North Florida-native birds, flowers, trees, fields, and marshlands.
Her heavily wooded, swampy surroundings are a constant source of inspiration that guides her brush.
Previous professions were teaching and Everglades restoration work for National Audubon Society.
Anne is enthusiastic about preservation and is delighted to be involved with the Hickory Preserve project and protecting the natural beauty of the land.
Cassie Dillman, Board Treasurer & Secretary
Cassie is passionate about preserving wild spaces for community use and is thrilled to be supporting the Hickory Preserve project. With a degree in environmental studies and a background in sustainable agriculture, she previously taught elementary and middle school gardening, educating children about nature, agriculture, and sustainability. Currently, she works with a local non-profit dedicated to community building and bridging political divides.
Neil Jones, Officer
Neil is a Florida native who grew up in central Florida and has deep family roots in the Red Hills region. He loves the woods and rivers here and is dedicated to protecting this piece of natural Florida. Neil has had a very diverse career as a musician, database manager, GIS specialist, natural resource manager, and fire ecology and fire history researcher. He is officially retired but is still very active with music, land management and restoration, and fire history research.
Tom Kelley, Officer
Tom Kelley is a 50-year resident of the Miccosukee Land Co-op. He built his own house and then became a residential contractor for many years. Tom served as a long-time board member of his community’s Pool Co-op and the Financial Planning Committee.
He volunteers in archaeological excavations at Wakulla Springs and underwater excavations in the Aucilla River.
His current obsession is taking macro photographs of insects which has reinforced his understanding of the value of native forests. Having fished and explored the St. Marks watershed for many years, Tom has a strong appreciation for habitat protection.
Making it a reality to protect and preserve the long-term health of the Hickory Preserve forest would be very satisfying for him.
Ken Ross, Officer
Ever since he can remember, Ken has loved the outdoors. Ken is currently 64 years old and still loves kayaking, rock climbing, snowboarding, surfing, and mountain biking. He and his wife have built a house in the woods, which is currently adjacent to this particular piece of property. They would like to see the forested woodlands and wetlands preserved and restored for future generations to enjoy.
Kelly McGrath, Esq., Cemetery Working Group Member
Kelly is passionate about creating a sacred natural burial space in our region. She’s a death doula and knows traditional practices such as dying at home surrounded by loved ones and natural burials bring us more peace. Returning to natural burial processes helps protect our precious Red Hill’s environment.
When she’s not volunteering as a Cemetery Working Group Member, Kelly is the Senior Director of Program Operations at the Selfless Love Foundation, a national nonprofit supporting families adopting children who’ve experienced foster care and young adults who’ve aged out of foster care. Her happy place is walking the trails in her wooded neighborhood and cooking and laughing with friends. Kelly’s happy to speak to you about how you can help us move this project forward.
Kathy Kellogg, Cemetery Working Group Member
Kathy retired 5 years ago after a very satisfying 46 year career as an Occupational Therapist. She devotes her time to her favorite things: family, home, friends, her dogs, fabric crafts, plants and antiques. Despite staying so busy, when she found out a group was forming to bring a conservation cemetery to our area she knew she had to give them her time. A long time proponent of green burial, she wanted to be sure that such an option would be available to people in her area. The fact that it is in a lovely location near where she has lived since 1977 made working towards its fruition a major priority!