Mark Emery, an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, musician and photographer, was the keynote speaker at the Horse Farms Forever 2024 Conservation Summit on Nov. 14, at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Arena, with the topic “Springs Forever.” Emery, who is well known for his work with, among other entities, “National Geographic,” the Smithsonian Network, the BBC and PBS, grew up in Ocala.
The Acorn Award was presented to Guy Marwick, executive director of The Felburn Foundation. He was the original founder and director of the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center. The museum opened over 30 years ago in 1991 as a partnership with Marion County Public Schools and more than 15,000 children visit the museum every year.
As part of the summit, poster and essay winners of the K-12 student Springs Forever Art Contest, in partnership with the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District, were presented with ribbons and gift certificates.
