2025 President's Letter: The Definition of Insanity is Doing the same Things Over and Over and Expecting a Different Result

The above quote by Albert Einstein could not fit better with Friends of Lovers Key (FOLK) and Lovers Key State Park (The Park).

I’ve had the opportunity of having leadership roles with a number of organizations over my career. All of those organizations were more complicated than FOLK. However, all of those organizations lacked one thing that we have at The Park and that is “mother.” Of course, I mean, mother nature.

Over the last two years The Park has been the victim of mother’s Fury numerous times and unfortunately, the results have been the same. Further, we can anticipate that mother will provide us with more excitement in the years to come. Therefore, FOLK has concluded that it’s time to not do the same things over and over and expect a different result. Our plans for 2025, which I’ll discuss below, are taking an approach that will hopefully reduce the impact of future weather events.

Our first major project for 2025 is to replace the landscaping around the Welcome and Discover Center (WDC) that was destroyed by the two 2024 hurricanes. Not surprisingly, the vegetation that was meant to survive saltwater invasion survived, and the vegetation that was not meant to survive saltwater invasion did not. Therefore, our plans for 2025 are to redo the landscaping at the WDC totally with plants native to the park who will withstand saltwater invasion.

Another major initiative in 2025 is to provide The Park staff with the opportunity to evacuate most, if not all of the heavy and not so heavy equipment from approaching storms. The current process takes days which sometimes they don’t have. Therefore, in 2025 FOLK is planning a major acquisition and contribution to The Park of trucks, equipment and trailers to be able to move The Parks equipment quickly out of harm’s way. 

Other projects in 2025 include providing The Park with lumber, hardware and equipment repairs to both raise storage to prevent water damage and repair certain equipment. In addition, will be replacing interpretive and educational supplies. We’re also in the process of replacing recently purchased washers and dryers for the park and making sure that the new ones will be elevated.

There’s a lot of other things going on in 2025 such as the connection of Starlink Internet and installation of a permanent dishwasher in the community room at the WDC. But just as important, one of our main goals has always been and will continue to be to provide our incredible rangers with the “tools” and comforts they need to do their jobs. Most of their comfort items were destroyed by the hurricanes of 2024 and we are in the process of obtaining new items.

It is anticipated that in 2025 more events will return to Lovers Key State Park, especially as the beach restoration is completed. By the way, if you haven’t been out to the beach recently, you should invest in a half day trip to see the amazing restorations that are occurring raising and extending the beach.  The restoration process is also incredible intriguing to watch.  As far as planned events we’re hoping for a 5 K road race in the park, the return of beach and brews and of course the speaker series which starts on January 16 and the return of summer camps for young kids.

All of this requires both money and human effort. I encourage all of you to give whatever you can to our cause, which is obviously terribly important to protect the environment of southwest Florida. While money is particularly important, your membership and your volunteer time is appreciated and an important part of The Park’s and Folk’s future.

I ended my last two letters by saying I was hoping to bump into Chaucer and  Twain on the beach or the trails.  I know I won’t be running into Einstein as he’s too busy elsewhere. But let’s remember his great quote and FOLK does not plan to do the same things again in 2025 and expect different results.

All my best:

Jim.