President
Pete Quasius has been an environmental advocate in Florida for almost 30 years as a voice for restoration, conservation, and preservation in southwest Florida while planning for smart growth and seeking public access to public lands and waters.
After grad work and a master's degree at Duke University, he ha
President
Pete Quasius has been an environmental advocate in Florida for almost 30 years as a voice for restoration, conservation, and preservation in southwest Florida while planning for smart growth and seeking public access to public lands and waters.
After grad work and a master's degree at Duke University, he had a 25-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service. Pete retired to a family home on Bonita Beach in 1992 and immersed himself in environmental activities and local political affairs.
He is one of the founders and moderators of Eco-Voice, Inc. A birder, sailor, and fisherman, he earned a U.S. Coast Guard captain's license, joined Everglades Angler Outfitters as an ORVIS fishing guide, and established Time's Fly'N Charters. He is vice-chair of the Snook Foundation aka Angler Action Foundation. He became president of the Cypress Chapter of the Izaak Walton League in 2019. He was an active member of the Arlington/Fairfax chapter of the IWLA in the 1960s.
Pete advocates for protection and recovery efforts in the greater Everglades, the Big Cypress, and Florida's estuarine and coastal waters. After decades of making his home on the shores of the Caloosahatchee, he now resides on Babcock Ranch with his wife Maria.
Vice President
Matthew “Matt” Taylor is a 6th generation Floridian. His family has been in Florida since the mid-1700s, settling in Manatee County in the early 1800s. An avid outdoorsman, Matt grew up hunting the Big Cypress swamps, the pine and palmetto uplands all over Florida and fishing everywhere from cow pastu
Vice President
Matthew “Matt” Taylor is a 6th generation Floridian. His family has been in Florida since the mid-1700s, settling in Manatee County in the early 1800s. An avid outdoorsman, Matt grew up hunting the Big Cypress swamps, the pine and palmetto uplands all over Florida and fishing everywhere from cow pasture ponds to the Middle Grounds to miles offshore from the Florida Keys.
Matt has been an advocate for Florida’s wildlands and wildlife for decades, serving as a past board member and President of the Manatee Sarasota Fish and Game Association. Matt spends countless hours every year volunteering his time and working with policy makers to ensure critical environmental projects are implemented correctly, all while ensuring the concerns of sportsmen and women are protected.
Matt obtained his Bachelor of Science Degrees in Economics and Business Administration, along with completing his Masters Degree work in Economics from the University of South Florida where he was the recipient of the Deans Award for Academic Excellence. Matt received his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, graduating Cum Laude.
For more than 20 years, Matt has practiced law as a Construction Litigation/Civil Trial attorney. A large part of his practice includes Environmental Resource Permitting challenges wherein Matt advocates for the protection of Florida’s resources through the application of strict environmental rule and regulation. Matt is a Partner with the firm of Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP and the head of their Construction Litigation Section.
When he’s not working, Matt can be found spending time in the woods and on the water with his family and friends.
Executive Director
Mike Elfenbein was born and raised in Miami and now lives on the SW Florida coast with his wife and two children. Mike currently serves as Chairman of the Charlotte County Soil and Water Conservation District dealing with legislative affairs and working with NRCS and the agriculture community to impr
Executive Director
Mike Elfenbein was born and raised in Miami and now lives on the SW Florida coast with his wife and two children. Mike currently serves as Chairman of the Charlotte County Soil and Water Conservation District dealing with legislative affairs and working with NRCS and the agriculture community to improve conservation efforts in Charlotte County.
He began his conservation efforts after years in the charter fishing industry. Having been appointed under Governor Rick Scott to the South Florida Water Management Districts Water Resources Analysis Coalition, he provided valuable input on water and conservation issues throughout the region from 2016 to 2019. Mike's previous service on the board and as executive director of the Fishing and Conservation Trust as well as a delegate for the Everglades Coordinating Council, provided a valuable perspective from the sportsmen community.
The 730,000 Big Cypress National Preserve has always been a driving force for his landscape-wide conservation efforts. Those efforts were recognized by an appointment as Conservation Chair of the Cypress Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, a 100-year-old conservation organization. Among other responsibilities, he currently serves on the board of the Future of Hunting in Florida and is a member of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Deer Management Technical Advisory Group. He is an avid outdoorsman spending his free time in the wilds of Florida with his family, a consummate conservationist.
Secretary
I’ve been involved in recreation since I arrived in Naples, FL in 1972. I worked for Parks and Recreation for 11 years, first in the Cambia Park community center which allowed me to play tennis, walk the pier, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of an area that had only one traffic light. My five children were
Secretary
I’ve been involved in recreation since I arrived in Naples, FL in 1972. I worked for Parks and Recreation for 11 years, first in the Cambia Park community center which allowed me to play tennis, walk the pier, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of an area that had only one traffic light. My five children were also involved in sports. PAL football, boys, players, girls, cheerleaders. I found myself as secretary to various groups. The way of life was a welcome change from the Boston area where I was from.
Moving on to my next experience which was golf. I worked at the Royal Palm CC for the next 11 years. The pro was an avid fly fisherman. I bought a fly rod and joined the Backcountry Flyfishers. Soon I was secretary. After that, I went to work for Everglades Angler and continued as Secretary of BCFF, and became secretary for the local chapter of CCA.
I was introduced to my husband Peter by a member of BCFF, not only was he a fisherman, he was a birder, and president of a local Audubon chapter, I became secretary. Then Snook Foundation, secretary, then and now Eco-Voice secretary, and now, Cypress Chapter IWLA, secretary. Who knows what's next?
Chapter Treasurer
Nyla Pipes is the Executive Director and Co-founder of One Florida Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit born through grassroots advocacy. One Florida Foundation seeks solutions to our water issues equitably and inclusively, recognizing that we must build coalitions to make meaningful progress.
Since 2013, One
Chapter Treasurer
Nyla Pipes is the Executive Director and Co-founder of One Florida Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit born through grassroots advocacy. One Florida Foundation seeks solutions to our water issues equitably and inclusively, recognizing that we must build coalitions to make meaningful progress.
Since 2013, One Florida Foundation has been dedicated to advocating for practical water policy solutions throughout the state of Florida. Current advocacy efforts include restoring more natural flows in the greater Everglades by decreasing the flow of water and nutrient pollution from Central Florida into Lake Okeechobee, removing barriers to sending clean water south when needed, reducing the releases to the coastal estuaries, and addressing nutrient pollution sources in local basins by addressing sewage infrastructure failures, supporting septic-to-sewer conversions, and reducing stormwater runoff.
Nyla is a resident of the Treasure Coast who prefers to spend time with her family outdoors. Whether it is a day at the beach, camping, boating, hiking, or riding around a beautiful Florida ranch, forest, park, or preserve, she loves the natural world.
Nyla served from 2017 to 2019 on the South Florida Water Management District Water Resources Analysis Coalition and has been recognized by Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the Florida Sportsmen’s Conservation Association, The Fort Pierce Woman’s Club, and the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce for her advocacy for Florida’s waters.
Projects Chair
Brett served as Chairman of the Snook Foundation from 2009-2011, and as Regional Director (SouthEast) for three years prior. He is a contributing editor to Florida Sportsman Magazine, and a special education instructor in the Palm Beach County school system for 16 years where he promotes an academic curriculum through enviro
Projects Chair
Brett served as Chairman of the Snook Foundation from 2009-2011, and as Regional Director (SouthEast) for three years prior. He is a contributing editor to Florida Sportsman Magazine, and a special education instructor in the Palm Beach County school system for 16 years where he promotes an academic curriculum through environmentalism and resource conservation.
Brett served in the United States Army in both Intelligence and as a Paratrooper with Special Forces Operations. He attended the University of South Florida and holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders. He is an avid guitar player, fly tyer, photographer, and fisherman. Brett was chosen as Angler Action Foundation's 2009 Person of the Year for his accomplishments on behalf of inshore fishing, and authored, Sportsman's Best: Snook. He was selected as the Angler Action Foundation Executive Director in 2011.
Chair shooting sports
Jesse Lee was born and raised in Naples Florida, where he graduated high school. After graduation, he attend Polk State College on an athletic scholarship. After successful completion of the Florida Law Enforcement Academy in 2001, Jesse spent nine years educating stakeholders, enforcing laws, and protecting Florida’s
Chair shooting sports
Jesse Lee was born and raised in Naples Florida, where he graduated high school. After graduation, he attend Polk State College on an athletic scholarship. After successful completion of the Florida Law Enforcement Academy in 2001, Jesse spent nine years educating stakeholders, enforcing laws, and protecting Florida’s natural resources.
In 2010 he became a hunting outfitter, exposing a global clientele to the wonders of the flora and fauna of Florida on the most prestigious ranches in Florida. Jesse grew his outfitting experience and became a private ranch manager in 2014. Jesse currently manages approximately 9,000 acres of wildlife habitat within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, considered as primary panther habitat.
Having previously served on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Deer Management Technical Advisory Group, Jesse contributed to creating deer management goals and the implementation of antler restrictions. Jesse combines his broad-based experience with a passion for agriculture stewardship and land sustainability, in addition to spending time with his wife and kids in outdoors.
Chair Scholarship Committee
Daniel Mark "Doc" Severson (born August 31, 1954) is an American Republican politician. Severson graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud in 1979 with a B.A. in Physics. Dan "Doc" Severson is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is a retired U.S. Navy fi
Chair Scholarship Committee
Daniel Mark "Doc" Severson (born August 31, 1954) is an American Republican politician. Severson graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud in 1979 with a B.A. in Physics. Dan "Doc" Severson is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot, business owner, and substitute teacher.
Severson was a candidate for the District 4 School Board Member of the Lee County School District in 2022. Severson enlisted in the Navy in 1978 at the age of 21. Severson was in the Navy for 22 years, most of those years as a Strike-Fighter Pilot. Severson is a member of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School also known as TOPGUN. During his time as a Naval Pilot, Severson's name was misread as Doc Severinsen, earning him the call sign "Doc".
Franklin Adams is a native of Miami and graduated from Miami-Dade Jr. College. He was a U.S. Army Engineer in Surveying & Mapping, an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine, and, of course, a Florida Master Naturalist. Recognized as a Guardian of the Everglades, he is also a member of the National Izaak Walton League of America H
Franklin Adams is a native of Miami and graduated from Miami-Dade Jr. College. He was a U.S. Army Engineer in Surveying & Mapping, an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine, and, of course, a Florida Master Naturalist. Recognized as a Guardian of the Everglades, he is also a member of the National Izaak Walton League of America Hall of Fame, Florida Wildlife Federation Hall of Fame, and recipient of the National Wildlife Federation Special Conservation Award for a lifetime of dedication to the preservation and protection of the Big Cypress and the Everglades. He is co-author of "Enjoyment of the Same: A History of Public Lands in Southwest Florida". A must read!
Pamela Pierce is a native Floridian, born in Miami Beach. She attended Coral Gables High School, where she was managing editor of the Yearbook. She went on to attend Northwestern University, the University of Miami, and The Ohio State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. She continued in the Ohio State Uni
Pamela Pierce is a native Floridian, born in Miami Beach. She attended Coral Gables High School, where she was managing editor of the Yearbook. She went on to attend Northwestern University, the University of Miami, and The Ohio State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. She continued in the Ohio State University School of Natural Resources in the College of Agriculture and earned a degree in Natural Resources Management.
She is a member of the Honor Society of Agriculture.
Returning to Florida, Pam taught Social Studies at Coral Shores High School. She graduated with a JD from the University of Miami School of Law. Pam is the Conservation Director for Devon Creek Foundation. She serves as a National Director of the Izaak Walton League of America, one of America's oldest conservation organizations, and is an officer in the League's Florida Keys Chapter and Florida Division.
Cypress Chapter of the IWLA
The Hatchery - Suite 200 #9, 42881 Babcock Lake Dr. Babcock Ranch, FL 33982
Phone 941-258-1616
Copyright © 2023
Cypress Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America
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501c3 status with the IRS
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH12533.
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