Non-party affiliated candidate for State House in District 15 Chadd Charland has earned the endorsement of conservation leaders from across Nassau and Duval counties. With non-profit organizations prohibited from endorsing political candidates, Charland sought the personal support of leaders from the conservation community he has worked with for years.
These individuals work to protect northeast Florida’s dunes, rivers, trees, native plants, and birds.
- Walter Bryant
- Julie Ferriera
- Elizabeth Filippelli
- Trey Ford
- Frank Hopf
- Margaret Kirkland
- Nicole Kresse
- Lyn Pannone
- Elise Pearlstine
- Leslie Pierpont
- Ryan Smart
- Jody Willis
Charland’s environmental advocacy in northeast Florida includes his service as Conservation Chair for the local chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society since 2021, his participation in FNPS’ statewide Policy Committee, and his work with community members in Nassau County to enact a data center moratorium.
Charland’s history of environmental advocacy also includes:
- Securing protection from development for Little Nana Dune at American Beach along with the North Florida Land Trust in 2021
- Fighting off a proposed titanium mine on the doorstep of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge with FNPS in 2024
- Installing and maintaining a native plant garden at Eartha’s Farm and Market in Jacksonville starting in 2024
- Advocated along with community members in 2024 to prevent state legislature from changing definition of “chemical manufacturing” which would have allowed Rayonier to build an ethanol plant in Fernandina Beach
“Northeast Florida’s immense natural beauty and biodiversity were among the main reasons I was attracted to move here,” Charland said. “That beauty and biodiversity, however, are being chewed up daily as our rural, natural, and wild places in Nassau, Duval, and statewide are being consumed by rapacious developers.”
In the State House, Charland would be committed to regulating large data center construction. He would push for full funding of Florida Forever, the state’s premiere land conservation buying program which was totally defunded by state government in the 2026 session. He would work to expand Florida Wildlife Corridor land acquisitions, support greater funding for springs restoration, advocate on behalf of removing the Rodman Dam to return a free flow to the Ocklawaha River, and put land development decisions back in the hands of local municipalities – home rule – to avoid pro-sprawl bills like “Agricultural Enclaves.”
Charland has never run for office before.
District 15 includes all of Nassau County and parts of northern and northwestern Duval County.