The Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy presented the 2014 Richard Weinstein Conservation Partner award to M.C. and Stella Davis on March 7, 2015 at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport, FL.
Florida Chapter Executive Director, Temperince Morgan explained the importance of The Nature Conservancy’s Richard Weinstein Conservation Partner Award. “Richard Weinstein provided good advice and counsel to the Florida Chapter during its infancy and for decades beyond. He believed that we should focus on the long-term and what was lasting and important. M.C. and Stella Davis exemplify this same abiding love for Florida’s natural treasures and the mission of The Nature Conservancy, and we are proud to honor them with this distinguished award.”
As she presented the award to the couple, Deborah Keller, director, strategic relationships, external affairs for the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, credited the couple for providing an enlightened approach to conservation and environmental education. “They have set a new standard for forging partnerships among communities, organizations, and agencies.”
Keller continued, “Today we honor the Davis family, and celebrate the Florida black bear as the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition, sponsored in part by The Nature Conservancy, crosses though Nokuse Plantation. The plantation, owned by M.C. and Stella Davis, is protected with conservation easements.”
Conservation easements protect land for future generations while allowing owners to retain many private property rights and to live on and use their land, while the property remains on the tax rolls. Nokuse Plantation serves as a living classroom and provides a buffer against incompatible development on the east side of Eglin AFB.
About:
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. www.nature.org
The Richard Weinstein Conservation Partner Award was created in 2013 by the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancyto annually honor those partners in Florida who exemplify a long-term commitment to protect Florida, a love of nature and Richard’s outstanding legacy.
Stella and M.C. Davis: Stella is the co-founder of Nokuse Plantation and E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, was born in Okaloosa County, FL and raised in Santa Rosa County. Stella has been the driving force and at times working alongside her husband, M.C. Davis, in his endeavors in education, business and both their quest for conservation. Stella works full time as a volunteer at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center where she handles scheduling.
M.C. Davis is founder of Nokuse Plantation and E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. M.C. was raised in Santa Rosa County, Florida and currently resides in Okaloosa County, Florida. He has been an entrepreneur for 48 years and a senior leader in a sundry of businesses. For the past 19 years Davis has been CEO of Fountain Investments, Inc., of Miramar Beach, FL, a land and timber trading company. Has been an avid conservationist for the past nineteen years and involved with a number of conservation projects all over the south.