County staff recognizing his leadership in advocacy for environment and public access to natural lands
Jono Miller of Sarasota, a longtime member of the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee (ESLOC) ,who is known in the community for his environmental advocacy, has been selected to receive the 2026 Robert M. Artz Advocate Award from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Sarasota County staff announced on Sept. 15.
“The national award recognizes an advocate, elected or appointed official, or volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding efforts to advance public parks and recreation through education and public engagement at the community, state or national level,” a news release explains.
Miller will be recognized formally during the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference, which will take place Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 in Philadelphia, the release adds.
Although Miller no longer serves on the ESLOC, the release notes, he is a member of Sarasota County’s Parks Advisory and Recreation Council.
“Through his service,” the release points out, Miller “has provided citizen input and recommendations to the Sarasota County Commission on parks, beaches, recreation, neighborhood parkland, land protection and the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program [ESLPP].”
Initially implemented in 1999, thanks to voter support during a referendum, that program raises revenue from a 0.25 mil property tax to enable the county to purchase land to protect it from development.
One mill represents $1,000 of the value of a parcel.
The county’s companion Neighborhood Parkland Program (NPP), which was implemented after a second referendum on the tax — conducted in 2005 — allows the county to buy property that has been identified as appropriate for new county parks.
This fall, county voters will have the opportunity to decide whether to extend the ESLPP/NPP program through 2049, as two referenda will be on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot, thanks to County Commission action.
Miller’s “decades of leadership and advocacy have helped shape local conservation priorities, strengthen public access to natural areas and elevate the role of public lands in community well-being,” the news release adds.
“Jono embodies the spirit of volunteerism, leadership and public engagement that this award celebrates,” said Shawn Yeager, director of the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department in the release. “His sustained contributions, thoughtful counsel and unwavering dedication to parks and natural resources have left a lasting impact on Sarasota County and the State of Florida. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this national recognition,” Yeager noted.
“The NRPA Spotlight Awards recognize individuals whose professional or personal contributions have made a lasting impact on the field of parks and recreation,” the release continues. “Miller is among the 2026 award recipients recognized by NRPA for excellence in parks and recreation,” it notes.
“Congratulations to these outstanding awardees who are shaping the future of parks and recreation with passion and purpose,” said Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO, in the release. “Their work is a powerful reflection of the power that parks and recreation has in communities nationwide, and of the dedication professionals bring to this work every day.”
The NRPA “is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation,” its website explains. “NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals as a catalyst for positive change in service of equity, environmental resilience, and overall health and well-being.”
The website adds, “NRPA’s network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates represents public spaces in urban communities, rural settings and everything in between. NRPA champions and supports the field of parks and recreation through professional development, advocacy, grants and programs, research, publications and more.”
To learn more about the awards, read the NRPA media release, the news release says.
For more information about Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com, or call 311 or 941-861-5000.