Dr. Joerger has become widely known as a champion of intelligent conservation through his passionate and innovative style, financial leadership and his creation of landmark environmental protection enterprises throughout Florida and the northeast.  For over twenty years, he has led highly successful financial development efforts on behalf of a range of conservation initiatives while also creating extremely effective public/private environmental partnerships.  

The Joerger Group, LLC was formed so that he might assist clients in the areas of conservation branding, conservation finance, land conservation, conservation leadership and training, environmental policy, land planning and real estate.  Prior to that, Dr. Joerger was Founder and President of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast in Osprey, Florida where, as a result of his focus and dedication, he raised over $28 million from both public and private sources.  The Foundation protected 8,400 acres of land on twenty three properties.  During that time, he was also named acquisition agent for Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands and Neighborhood Parks Programs.  He served on the Environmental Transition Teams for two Florida Governors,  was appointed to the National Council, Land Trust Alliance in 2011 and has been a Governing Board Member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Joerger was Assistant State Director of the New Jersey Nature Conservancy and Director of their Skylands Program and was Director of Protection and Project Review of the Nature Conservancy – Albany Pine Bush Preserve, New York.  He has consulted with many other organizations in the United States and overseas.

Dr. Joerger earned a B.S. in Economics, an M.L.A. in Landscape Architecture, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Information Science from Cornell University. Dr. Joerger’s prestigious educational achievements, numerous political appointments, teaching positions, published articles and non-profit leadership focused on building a strong legacy of community have set him apart in the field.

Appointments

• National Council, Land Trust Alliance 2011 – Present
• Governing Board Member, Southwest Florida Water Management District, 2008 – 2013, Secretary 2012, Treasurer 2011,Chair Land Surplus Committee 2011 – 2013
• Chair, Manasota Basin Board 2008 – 2011
• Member, Governor Rick Scott’s Environmental Transition Team 2010
• Member, Governor Charlie Christ’s Environmental Transition Team 2006