Our Team
Conserve Nassau Board
These members join our officers to form the board.
Lauree Hemke believes we can collaboratively address local issues and form community connections that develop compassion and trust. She has a lifetime of community participation driven by learning. She’s enthusiastic about Nassau County and its beautiful environment.
Lauree serves on the Amelia Island Comprehensive Plan Work Group, engaging and researching problem-solving strategies. Community groups she is a member of include the Amelia Tree Conservancy, Amelia Island Quilt Guild, Studio Arts Quilt Association, and the Newcomers Club of Amelia Island. She dances with the Ballroom on Amelia and the Island Tap Dance teams. Additionally, Lauree’s passion for our barrier island’s history and culture allows her to enjoy cultural activities and outdoor activities such as yoga, biking, and walking. Lauree has Masters Degrees in School Administration and Special Education. She is a retired school administrator, having served students of all ages with disabilities for 40 years.
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.