Metro Jacksonville

I saw a couple of stories indicating that the 7,400-acre plantation and animal conservation center was for sale.  I just had a "Don't know what you've got 'till it's gone" moment.  I wonder how many people even know that it exists - can the average layperson visit?  A couple of years ago my (old) company hosted a conference on site (by invite) & it was pretty amazing - but in a flash.  Would love to see MJ consider a tour & write-up.

QuoteReport: White Oak Plantation for sale

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175

Quote from: blizz01 on April 13, 2012, 11:56:27 AM
I saw a couple of stories indicating that the 7,400-acre plantation and animal conservation center was for sale.  I just had a "Don't know what you've got 'till it's gone" moments.  I wonder how many people even know that it exists - can the average layperson visit?  A couple of years ago my (old) company hosted a conference on site (by invite) & it was pretty amazing - but in a flash.  Would love to see MJ consider a tour & write-up.

QuoteReport: White Oak Plantation for sale

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175

Born and raised Jacksonville, had no idea this place existed until about 4 months ago. Would love to check it out.

I have a family member that was invited there a few ago for golf. It seems like a pretty awesome place.

The place is amazing and, when Howard Gilman was alive, the Gilman foundation did some incredibly good works in supporting the arts and wildlife conservation (and still do in my understanding).  I believe they hosted an annual Barishnikov (sp?) dance workshop and their conservation breeding efforts for endangered wildlife is incredible.  We had an opportunity to camp there one weekend on the St. Mary's river and received a private tour of the breeding facility.  What an amazing place!  Florida panthers, Reticulated giraffe, Cassowary, Okapi, you name it in endangered megafauna and it was probably there.

Howard was truly a generous soul and after his death, the foundation kind of drifted in my limited knowledge of it.  I think they had proposed selling some of the timberland years ago but not sure what ever came of that.   I sure hope that the foundation can continue the good work to which it has dedicated so many years and millions of dollars.

Quote from: ben says on April 13, 2012, 12:00:29 PM

Quote from: blizz01 on April 13, 2012, 11:56:27 AM
I saw a couple of stories indicating that the 7,400-acre plantation and animal conservation center was for sale.  I just had a "Don't know what you've got 'till it's gone" moments.  I wonder how many people even know that it exists - can the average layperson visit?  A couple of years ago my (old) company hosted a conference on site (by invite) & it was pretty amazing - but in a flash.  Would love to see MJ consider a tour & write-up.

QuoteReport: White Oak Plantation for sale

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175

Born and raised Jacksonville, had no idea this place existed until about 4 months ago. Would love to check it out.

Amazing how few, even Jacksonville natives, know of White Oak.

 It was always an exclusive place, and as such, not publicized, or open to the public.  I would have liked to visit, but was not open for visitors. 

http://howardgilmanfoundation.org/gilman/index.html (http://howardgilmanfoundation.org/gilman/index.html)

Large plantations are very expensive to maintain.  There are many in the Tallahassee/Thomasville, GA area.  Most are in conservation easements for tax purposes. 

in the jax daily record, via WSJ
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175 (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175)

Quote from: mbwright on April 13, 2012, 02:09:14 PM
It was always an exclusive place, and as such, not publicized, or open to the public.  I would have liked to visit, but was not open for visitors. 

http://howardgilmanfoundation.org/gilman/index.html (http://howardgilmanfoundation.org/gilman/index.html)

Large plantations are very expensive to maintain.  There are many in the Tallahassee/Thomasville, GA area.  Most are in conservation easements for tax purposes.

Is it still closed to visitors?

Was puttering along the St. Mary's River many years ago in a small boat when I spotted a rhinoceros standing on the bank.  Totally freaked me out and had me sniffing at my soft drink to see what was in it.

Didn't know about White Oak at the time, but have had the opportunity to visit a few time since.  Fantastic place.  Once watched a keeper kicking soccer balls for the cheetahs to chase.  She said it was the only way to exercise them.  And yes, they are incredibly fast. 

+1 (that would have been crazy)

i've played golf out there many times.  it was surreal to drive past rhinos and other large wildlife while on your way to the club house.  it was even more surreal to have a nine hole golf course, which was immaculately groomed, completely empty, except for your foursome.  While playing you would never see another sole.  no matter how many times you emptied the beer from the complimentary refrigerator, it would always magically restock itself before you returned a few holes later.  half way through your round you could call for lunch and it would also magically appear in the center pavilion before you arrived.  you could even take a break and bowl a few frame and have a few cocktails during your round.  if you talked to the club pro, he had great stories of us presidents (especially clinton) and other worldly dignitaries that would stay and play golf there.  also stories of wild private golf parties, where anything and everything you can image happened.  it was definitely one of the most private off the radar places in the outskirts of jax.  it most definitely is not the same since gilman passed.

~ Sort of conjures up memories of the Greenbrier Hotel in W Va. (of old).

I have been out there several times wonderful place but probably ready for someone else to take the reins.  Hope there is a party interested.

The Weaver's have some extra cash & spare time these days - and I hear that he likes jaguars.... ;)

My family owns 85 acres that adjoins the south and west of White Oak.. We have spotted several Florida panthers over the years.

For some reason the John Delaney legacy stalls at Northeast Florida Timber Lands Preserve.

Fast Forward to Ocala to Osceola Corridor.

Conservation Corridor Expedition underway,and passing through the Metro Jacksonville Green Hedge as we post here.

Metro Avondale

Interesting story today in the TU:

http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/arts/2012-06-24/story/ju-dance-students-white-oak-plantation-offers-refuge-which-learn

***UPDATE***

From the TU:

QuoteDodgers owner buys White Oak plantation

The billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his wife have purchased the White Oak plantation and conservation center and plan to continue operating it as a wildlife preserve.

Mark and Kimbra Walter bought the 7,400-acre property outside Yulee from the Howard Gilman Foundation, according to a news release. The purchase price was not disclosed.
The Gilman Foundation put the center on the market last April. The Walters began looking at White Oak late last year, the release said.

Mark Walter is the CEO of Guggenheim Capital, a Chicago-based, privately-held financial firm that manages more than $170 billion in assets and has about 2,200 employees worldwide. He and an ownership group that includes former NBA star Magic Johnson bought the Dodgers last year for $2.15 billion.
Walter had an estimated net worth last year of about $1.3 billion, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“We are honored to be the new stewards of White Oak and its unique and valuable conservation programs, which Howard Gilman initiated and his staff so ably managed,” Mark Walter said in a statement.
“Our primary mission is to build upon the work already under way at White Oak to create an international model for the humane and effective breeding and repopulation of endangered species.
“We also envision White Oak as a gathering point to inspire ideas and collaborations among individuals and organizations interested not only in conservation but issues such as environmental sustainability, land stewardship, arts and education.”
Founded in 1982 by the late paper magnate Howard Gilman, White Oak houses about 200 animals of more 20 different species, many endangered or threatened. Gilman turned over ownership of White Oak to his foundation before his death in 1998.
“The Walter family shares many of the perspectives on wildlife conservation and the performing arts that Mr. Gilman considered important,” Mary Farrell, President of the Howard Gilman Foundation, said in the release. “The Foundation’s board of directors and I are confident that Mr. and Ms. Walter will maintain and build upon the legacy Mr. Gilman fostered and his foundation has supported.”
Steve Shurter, who had been White Oak’s director of conservation, was named executive director of the center’s new company, White Oak Conservation Holdings.
“It is indeed a privilege to work with Mark and Kimbra Walter on the continued development of White Oak,” Shurter said in the statement. “The Walters recognize the important contributions White Oak provides to our community and wildlife programs. Their goals are ambitious and inspiring, and White Oak can play an important role in realizing them.”
The Walters support conservation programs in New Mexico and Texas and Kimbra Walter is on the women’s board at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-03-20/story/dodgers-owner-buys-white-oak-plantation#ixzz2O6HCg3LX

I sincerely hope that the Walters will continue to make White Oak available to the public on a periodic basis, even if only through ticketed events as the Gilman Foundation did.  It truly is a unique, classy, and world-class facility.  Hope they can maintain that character moving forward.

In over two decades since I found out about this place, I've still yet to check it out. Looks amazing.

Ben, I highly recommend it.  The animals are only a part of what is so impressive about the place.