Our Story
In the mid and late 1980s, there was a newfound effort in the Florida Keys and Monroe County to protect and preserve the local fragile ecosystem. Legendary environmentalists like Jimmy Buffett, Governor Bob Graham, Ian Koblick, Sandy Sprunt, Sam Wampler, Johnny Morris and Guy Harvey were notable examples and inspirations for other conservationists.
In 1987, two of those influenced conservationists were Edward M.Trinder and J.P.”Gator” Wilson. They were not only business partners, but friends, fellow fisherman, divers, avid naturalists, and had a specific desire to help preserve the Florida Keys. Jointly, they decided to establish the Florida Keys Conservancy.
​
In August 1989, FKC (Florida Keys, Conservancy) formally established their general bylaws, and submitted IRS form 1023 and Articles of Incorporation to the IRS to establish a 501(c)3 non-status. Needing a headquarters and base of operations, they donated, funded, and moved a houseboat from Marina Bay that Wilson’s family had lived on to get the fledgling nonprofit started.
above: Mid 1980s headquarters, the Floridaze
“It's pretty simple: we live in paradise, and paradise is in peril..."
Key Largo was chosen due to its proximity and drive time to the mainland, the pristine outlying reef system, and Florida Bay in the Everglades National Park. After months of searching, a specific location was chosen in a small inlet on the west side of Largo Sound adjacent to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The site was the headquarters of Marine Resources Development Foundation (MRDF).
In the early years, MRDF, directed by Ian Koblick, worked closely with the governments of the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. MRFD helped these islands establish ocean policies, set up marine training programs, operate undersea labs, improve fisheries techniques, test new diving equipment, initiate environmental management strategies, and developed marine archeological and commercial diving techniques.
In the mid 1980's, MRDF turned its sights on Key Largo and relocated to its current campus. The MarineLab Undersea Laboratory was emplaced and hosted its first Aquanauts in 1984, and in 1985 the first MarineLab Environmental Education snorkel program was held.
Ian Koblick has become a famous aquanaut, explorer, author, consultant and teacher, and below is pictured diving with Fidel Castro. Ian was chosen as Alternate Aquanaut in the underwater research mission, now famously known as “Tektite”, and eventually became program manager of Tektite II. Koblick became associated with Dr.Joseph Dituri, who, in 2020, broke the 100-day underwater record without servicing at the Key Largo Under Sea Park.
Dr. Dituri’s mission served as an analog to deep space flight and further oceanic, living opportunities, demonstrating methodologies for the care of those explorers in an isolated, confined extreme environment, such as a trip to another planet or colonization of our oceans.
In 1995, FKC hosted at its headquarters part of the "InnerSpace to OuterSpace" Communication participants. MRDF’s Ian Koblick and astronaut/aquanaut Scott Carpenter utilized their established habitat for a pioneering communication link with astronaut Mike Gernhardt aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Earlier in 1979, The Boy Scouts of America had purchased the former Tollgate Inn and Marina on Lower Matecumbe Key. By May 15, 1980, the official opening of the Florida Gateway High Adventure Base happened, which was formally renamed to the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. FKC had an extensive Boy Scout history, and desired to get involved with the scouting program.
Sam Wampler was a professional Scouter from the South Florida Council of the Boy Scouts and also a friend to the early FKC board. Several of the FKC board members were Eagle Scouts and had helped establish scuba and snorkeling, sailing, and kayak facilities as early as 1988.
​
In that same year, FKC started developing various literature and programs that were designed with our strategic partners as public services and to generate revenue, including a series of nature guides, identifying plant, animal, fish, tree and shell species endemic to the Florida Keys. The first key sailing guide to anchorages, dive sites, restaurants, hotels, and other points of interest were also developed by FKC. (some projects were never published due to lack of funds).
To accomplish the beginning nonprofit mission statement, additional revenue was needed. A rental program for the facility was established for members of the nonprofit. Later, the rental program was expanded to the general public, when the base was not being used for meetings or official programs. Participants of the Tektite programs, including astronauts and other celebrities rented the houseboat.
Our headquarters, the Floridaze, would survive Hurricane Charlie (1986) and Hurricane Floyd (1987), while at Marina Bay, and after the move to Key Largo, Hugo (1989) which passed near the keys, Hurricane Andrew, a category 5, reaching 177 mph winds (1992), Tropical Storm Gordon (1994), Hurricane Georges (1998), with volunteers riding out the storm on board, and later that year, Hurricane Earl (1998).
Hurricane Andrew was the worst, with Monroe County reporting $131 million in damage, and significant destruction to homes and infrastructure, particularly in the northern part of the Keys. The vessel would also survive several spears from divers looking for dinner under her bottom.
The FKC board made the tough decision to sell the vessel to offset rising expenses. The Floridaze lost her name, but continued to stay in the Key Largo location as a unique rental property for many years.
In 1996, the FKC moved its headquarters 5 miles south on the bayside of Key Largo, to a private residence. The location would be named Eagles Five after the five nesting American bald eagles residing on nearby Nest Key and the property’s history of three generations of the Eagle Scouts being the owners.
On September 10, 2017, the old girl Floridaze finally met her match when category 4 Hurricane Irma sent a high tide wall of water over the entire island of Key Largo. The well-known vessel that had served so many great causes went down with all her past glory and memories at the age of 53.
​
In August 2026, it will be 30 years that our location at #5 South Bounty Lane has served the Monroe County community for retreats, meetings, field trips, and conferences for a multitude of nonprofit organizations. In the fall of 2027, the Florida Keys Conservancy will celebrate its 40th Anniversary of striving to preserve environmental habitats in the Florida Keys
Jimmy Buffett, one of the Florida Key’s favorite sons, once said, “It's pretty simple: we live in paradise, and paradise is in peril. We need to have a little more attention about the place where we grew up, and where our children should grow up. It’s not that hard, it really isn’t.”
