Happy Trails with Jan and Fleetwood Chesnutt

It’s early Wednesday morning and Jan and Fleetwood Chesnutt’s Australian shepherd, Duncan, has been waiting impatiently at the front door. He knows it’s tour day at Indian River Land Trust’s Bee Gum Point Preserve, and he’s anxious to get going.

Once at the 111-acre protected property, the three Chesnutts will meet, greet, and lead those who have made reservations along a sandy trail winding through the designated bird sanctuary. Not only is Bee Gum Point a popular winter stopover for millions of waterfowl and other migratory birds heading south on the Atlantic Flyway (156 species logged to date), its wetlands provide the perfect setting for fish nurseries. While some IRLT properties are open to the public, Bee Gum is available only for scheduled events.

“The tour, which is limited to 15 people, lasts about an hour and a half, and dogs are welcome,” says Jan, patting Duncan’s head.

“Before we start, I let everyone know there are only a few benches and no facilities. During the first half of the tour the ground is fairly level, but during the last half it’s a little uneven. I also put together a little book with maps that have things we point out on the tour.

“Fleetwood and I care about the environment and believe in what the Land Trust is doing. Bee Gum was going to be developed into a gated community until the Land Trust got involved and saved it. It’s important to preserve as much as possible about what we remember.”

And their memories go back a long way. Fleetwood is a Vero Beach native, and Jan’s parents moved here when she was 9 months old. The two met while working at the downtown Florida Theatre, where Fleetwood’s father, Jack, was the manager. While Fleetwood was in charge of the projection booth, Jan manned the candy counter. Mutual interests drew them together then, and, after 44 years of marriage, they still do.

The couple serves on United Way of Indian River County’s Citizens Review Panel, poring over grant applications, visiting nonprofits, and making sure donations make a difference. Jan is past president of the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, has performed in 20 musicals, and plans to return to the stage once she retires. Fleetwood will be in the wings cheering her on.

They enjoy fishing together in the lagoon and consider caring for it a priority. “When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time on the river before the channel markers had lights on them,” Jan muses. “Fleetwood and I both knew a lot about the lagoon, but we didn’t know a lot about the Land Trust and what was involved with being a guide until we got in touch with Dave [Fuss, IRLT director of land stewardship].”

Fuss is glad they did. “Jan and Fleetwood are truly special people, sharing knowledge and experiences from their own lives. Being a conservation tour guide means more than showcasing the wonder and beauty of our protected lands and waterways; it’s about inspiring others to appreciate the wildlife, their critical habitat, and the vital work behind their preservation. Jan and Fleetwood’s dedication, passion, and keen interest make them exceptional guides.”

Duncan couldn’t agree more.