Trust for Public Land Names Lindsay Cross as Florida State Director

Trust for Public Land Names Lindsay Cross as Florida State Director

PETERSBURG, Fla.-- Trust for Public Land (TPL) today announced the appointment of Lindsay Cross as Florida State Director, where she will lead the organization's efforts to expand access to parks, trails, and protected lands across the Sunshine State.

As Florida State Director, Cross will oversee TPL's work to conserve the landscapes that define Florida, create vibrant parks and trail networks, and ensure more people have access to the outdoors. She will lead partnerships with public agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and community leaders to advance conservation projects that strengthen communities while protecting the state's natural heritage.

"Lindsay is an exceptional leader whose deep knowledge of Florida's environmental challenges, collaborative approach, and unwavering commitment to conservation make her the ideal person to lead our work in the state," said George Dusenbury, Vice President Southern Region, and the Georgia, Florida, and Chesapeake State Director for Trust for Public Land. "Her experience building bipartisan support for protecting public lands and creating healthier, more resilient communities will help us accelerate our impact across Florida. We're thrilled to welcome her to the Trust for Public Land team."

Cross brings more than 25 years of experience in environmental science, conservation, and public service. She joins TPL with a distinguished resume spanning the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, where she worked to improve water quality, restore critical habitats, and protect Florida's natural resources.

Prior to joining TPL, Cross has served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, championing bipartisan policies to protect public lands, strengthen community resilience and emergency preparedness, and expand affordable housing options. She also held leadership roles with the Florida Wildlife Corridor, Florida Conservation Voters, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and Environmental Science Associates, helping advance conservation initiatives and environmental stewardship throughout the state.

"As someone who has dedicated my career to protecting Florida's extraordinary natural resources, I'm honored to join Trust for Public Land and help expand access to the outdoors for communities across the state," said Cross. "I've long admired TPL's ability to bring people together around a shared vision for conservation, because protecting land is ultimately about improving people's lives. I'm excited to build on that legacy by conserving the landscapes that make Florida unique, expanding trail connections--including closing critical gaps in the Florida National Scenic Trail and advancing the Florida Gulf Coast Trail--and ensuring future generations can experience the places that define our state."

As an environmental scientist, Cross is driven by a lifelong passion for protecting the natural world and inspiring others to experience it. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida.

Under Cross's leadership, TPL will continue advancing conservation projects, such as the over 400-mile-long Florida Gulf Coast Trail, that will expand access to parks, trails, and outdoor recreation. She will also help advance the vision of the Florida Wildlife Corridor by protecting the state's most significant landscapes for future generations.

Trust for Public Land has worked in Florida for decades to create parks, protect important natural landscapes, and expand trail connections that improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike - protecting over 185,000 acres and connecting over half a million Floridians to the outdoors. Cross's appointment reinforces the organization's commitment to ensuring every Floridian has access to the benefits of nature while safeguarding the state's unique natural resources.

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About Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.