ABOUT US
Nurturing Nature, Empowering Communities
Learn about TGO NatureScape Inc.’s mission to educate, fund, and implement concept plans for the optimal use of native plants while mitigating invasive species in Central Florida. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and sustainability. Discover our story, team, and the impact we aim to make in preserving Florida’s natural beauty.
Our Mission
TGON’s mission is to inspire through education the understanding and appreciation of native plants and the value of landscape planning to create welcoming and accessible natural spaces.
Our Vision
To be a well-respected resource for communities and organizations wanting to incorporate the use of native plants in landscape planning and design.
Board OF Directors
President
TIM GRAHAM
- Miami Dade Fire Rescue, Retired
- Partnership for Environmental Education Previous Chair
- President TGO NatureScape
- TGO Firewise Committee
- Florida Master Naturalist
VICE PRESIDENT
BETTY SALTER
- Brevard County Recreation Coordinator Retired
- TGO Trail Master
- TGO NatureScape Vice President
- Wildlife Refuge Education Program Creator & Instructor
Treasurer
Barb Eager
- Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Association President
- Bird Uganda Safaris US Marketing Representative
- International Conference for Women Birders (IC4WB) Board Chair
- TGO NatureScape Treasurer
- Brevard Nature Alliance Executive Director
- North American Association for Environmental Education Deputy Director of Administration, Conference and Core Services
SECRETARY
Karri Olefirowicz
- BS Chemist retired from a career in technical writing and quality assurance in the biotechnology / pharmaceutical industry.
- TGO Firewise Committee – member, scribe, and co-coordinate nature trail cleanups.
- Volunteered with a local organic farmer and worked with a Hosta hybridizer.
- Participated in classes and programs at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
VP
Ed Olefirowicz
- Ph.D. Chemist retired from a career in information sciences and computational design in the biotechnology / pharmaceutical industry.
- TGO Firewise – Committee member, and co-coordinate nature trail cleanups.
- Men’s Garden Club of Chapel Hill, NC – former President.
- The Nature Center at TGO – former Assistant Treasurer.
- Participated in classes and programs at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
- University of New Hampshire Foundation – Board Member (new).
DOUG JENSEN
- Video production company owner since 1984
- Video producer/writer for U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation
- Freelance television cameraman and director of photography
- Trainer and product ambassador for Sony Electronics
- Instructor at Maine Media Workshops (summers and online)
- Former board member of the Asnacoment Pond Association (Hubbardston, MA)
- Advisor to the Nature Trails committee at TGO
- Lifetime member of the Nature Center at TGO
- BA Brigham Young University
AT LARGE MEMBER
BOB TAYLOR
Ph.D. in Zoology (Research focused on Gopher Tortoises)
Retired from career in Natural Resource Management
Environmental Site Assessments, Wildlife Surveys and Relocations
Permitting with Florida DEP, Water Mgt. Districts, & Army Corps of Engineers
Past Director of two Nature Centers
Former Officer in U.S. Navy
Elected Board Member of the Lake County Water Authority
Gopher Tortoise Council Member (Former Treasurer)
Certified – National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighter Type 2