Wildlands Conservation is a core group of conservation professionals with a common goal to conserve our natural environment.  We believe that our organization and it’s expertise are a critical component in the challenge to save our remaining wild places.

David Sumpter, Executive Director M.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Biology
Dave is a wildlife biologist that has professionally specialized in land management, conservation planning, and applied wildlife research related to land management for most of the past two decades. He has assisted several counties with establishing and implementing their land acquisition and management programs. 

Julie Morris, President/Director of Conservation
M.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Julie’s areas of expertise include conservation planning and policy, field ecology, stakeholder coordination, environmental education and public outreach. She has developed conservation programs with local governments, landowners and community groups throughout Florida and internationally. Julie is originally from Venice Florida; she has over 15 years experience working in the conservation field.

Robert Heath, Senior Ecologist M.S. Environmental Biology
Rob Heath has an M.S. degree in Environmental Biology from Tulane University. He is an expert in natural areas management, specializing in management plan development, prescribed burning, environmental education, and outdoor recreation.

Lance Arvidson, Ecologist M.S. Biology
Lance has an M.S. degree in Biology and has been working with Wildlands Conservation since 2008. In that time, his work has been primarily focused on conducting vertebrate monitoring, listed species surveys, managing the Frog Listening Network, and assisting in teaching the Gopher Tortoise Authorized Agent Permitting Courses.

Brian G. Ormiston, Ph.D. Ecology
Dr. Brian Ormiston has over 34 years of experience in ecology, including 22 years of field and remote sensing experience throughout Florida.  Dr. Ormiston is a recognized expert in wetland ecology and wetland hydrology, environmental monitoring, statistical modeling, environmental impacts of water withdrawals from groundwater and surface water systems, and environmental management.

Jack Stites, Land Manager
Jack is predominantly involved with site preparation (for prescribed fires), mechanical treatment of sites (to reduce the effects of fire suppression), and the operation of containment equipment on prescribed burns.

Patricia Ashton, Associate Senior Ecologist
Patricia Ashton works with us on a varierty of projects. She specializes in gopher tortoise research, plant surveys, habitat management planning and educational training.