Greetings, readers! This is a special announcement about my dear friend, teacher, and fellow author, Peggy Lantz (1933 – 2025) who wrote the series “Caring for Mother Nature,” that we published here. Maybe you remember those wonderful essays. Index: “Caring for Mother Nature” Posts by Peggy Lantz | Charlene L. Edge
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Peggy Sias Lantz Match Challenge
Oakland, Florida — August 13, 2026
Peggy Sias Lantz never walked through a patch of wildflowers without stopping to name them. She never led a hike without teaching something new. And she never missed a chance to remind others that Florida’s natural world is a gift worth protecting.
Today, Oakland Nature Preserve is proud to announce a Donation Match Challenge created by the Estate of Peggy Sias Lantz, which will match every dollar donated—up to $10,000—to support the Preserve’s mission and honor Peggy’s extraordinary legacy.
Peggy was a true Florida woman—an author, editor, naturalist, educator, and Renaissance spirit whose curiosity was matched only by her generosity. She served on the Oakland Nature Preserve Board of Directors beginning in 2007 and played a vital role in restoring the Preserve’s Sandhill habitat, cheering on volunteers and identifying wildflowers with her trademark enthusiasm.
Beyond the Preserve, Peggy shaped conservation across Central Florida. She was on the board of the Orange Audubon Society, Florida Native Plant Society, a publications editor, a Florida Master Naturalist Program instructor, and an author best known for Florida’s Incredible Wild Edibles. Foraging with her meant adventure: elderberry jam and bread, pokeweed salad, and more.
Her belief that “knowledge and nature are gifts best shared” inspired the creation of the Peggy Sias Lantz Memorial Library at Oakland Nature Preserve—a place where her spirit of curiosity continues to thrive. The Library will be dedicated during Nature Fest on September 26th.
This donation match challenge extends Peggy’s legacy of teaching, restoring, and inspiring. Every contribution made during the challenge will be doubled, helping Oakland Nature Preserve expand educational programs, support habitat restoration, and welcome more people into the natural world Peggy loved so deeply.
Donations can be made at https://oaklandnaturepreserve.wildapricot.org/MonetaryDonation until September 30th.
About Oakland Nature Preserve
Oakland Nature Preserve is a community-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education, and connecting people with Central Florida’s natural environment.
www.oaklandnaturepreserve.org
For more information, media inquiries, or details about this or other events, please contact:
Nicole O’Brien
Managing Director
nobrien@oaklandnaturepreserve.org
407-905-0054
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