Our Team
Conserve Nassau Board
These members join our officers to form the board.
Dr. Frank Hopf has degrees in Coastal Geomorphology, Civil Engineering, and an MBA. His research interests include fluvial and coastal flooding, dune and beach processes, nature-based restoration of coastal dunes, and public policy making. He is a member of the American Shore and Beach Protective Association (ASPBA) and its Science and Technology Committee; the American Society of Civil Engineers; the Association of State Flood Plain Managers and the Florida Floodplain Managers Association. Since moving to Amelia Island, Frank has been active in coastal management collaborations with the City of Fernandina Beach, the North Florida Land Trust, and the Northeast Florida Conservation Collaborative.
Vanneza Stubbs has been observing and studying the effects of population growth and development throughout Nassau County for 20 years since her family moved here when she was a teenager. She knew immediately she wanted to learn as much as she can regarding the ecosystems of Fernandina Beach. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Landscape Horticulture from the University of Florida and has been working in the industry for nearly 20 years right here in Nassau County Florida. Her experience in both commercial and residential landscapes bring practical insight to homeowners as it affects the community as a whole. When she is not working, she enjoys discovering the Real Florida with her two daughters and husband.
As a PhD Wildlife Biologist, Dr. Elise Pearlstine worked on large scale patterns of biodiversity through projects that identified plant communities to predict wildlife diversity. Such patterns enable government agencies, NGOs, and scientists to identify areas for conservation. Through her career, grants funded her work with both landowners and agencies to conduct large scale surveys of wildlife in agricultural land and conservation habitats. After her university career, she started a small business in natural fragrances that led to writing a book, Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance, published by Yale University Press. Now retired, she volunteers for Florida State Parks doing wildlife surveys, and as a member of Friends of Talbot Islands CSO Board. Her work with Conserve Nassau combines her passion for the natural world with her work with various stakeholders to accomplish the vision and mission of Conserve Nassau.
Margaret Kirkland was a founding member and Board member of Amelia Tree Conservancy (ATC) from 2013 to 2022, serving as ATC Chair for many years. She was also a founding and Steering Committee member of Amelia Island Conservation Network and Conserve Amelia Now! and served on the Board of North Florida Land Trust. She has served on several Nassau County and Fernandina Beach Committees, and has worked with county and city staff to protect trees, conserve land and advance environmental, economic and social sustainability and resiliency.
Margaret is driven by passions for integrity and innovation. Prior to retirement, she applied these passions as professor of English as a Second Language at Montgomery College and at The George Washington University, serving in administrative positions in both institutions. Her research interests related to the culture of written discourse within certain academic communities and intertextuality. She holds a Masters Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education from Georgetown University.