FOWR Member Spotlight - Jeanette Schreiber
Headshot curtesy of University of Central Florida
Jeanette Schreiber became a Board member in 2021 after being a member of FOWR for about 15 years. She is a Central Florida native and graduate of Edgewater High School, Emory University (B.A.), Florida State University (M.S.W.) and Harvard Law School (J.D.) She has been a health care attorney for more than 40 years and currently is helping build UCF College of Medicine and health sciences campus as UCF’s Senior Vice President for Health Affairs and Chief Legal Officer. Jeanette and husband Jim lived in Connecticut for over 20 years before returning to Central Florida. She also serves as Vice President of the Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and Apopka Board of Directors and was appointed to serve on the Acquisition and Restoration Committee (ARC) of Seminole Forever.
Jeanette grew up enjoying Florida’s natural areas and discovered the Wekiva and Little Wekiva Rivers when returning to Florida in early 2008. The Schreibers live on the Little Wekiva River in Longwood. Jeanette enjoys kayaking and spending time with family including her 21-month-old granddaughter.
Jeanette shared some of her background and hopes for the Wekiva Basin and answered a few other fun questions for us. Enjoy!
What’s your earliest memory of the Wekiva River? As small children, my brother and I used to love going to Rock Springs and watching the river otters. Rock Springs is part of the Wekiva river system.
What’s your favorite animal and plant in the Wekiva Basin? I still love the river otters and also the variety of birds. I also love the variety of trees, especially where different kinds of trees intertwine and grow into each other.
What do you wish people knew about the river? Two things. One is how getting out on the river in nature can transport you away from day to day stresses into a world of deep peace and gratitude. The other is how fragile even the most seemingly timeless and protected river is in the face of uncontrolled development. Without using great care, these sacred places can and will be destroyed right in front of us.
What’s your favorite thing about the river? It can be and is used and enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds and perspectives for its recreational and educational and spiritual benefits.
Favorite memory on the river? Kayaking with friends and family members is the best.
Biggest hope for the river’s future? That people will realize what a treasure it is and thus how critical it is to protect the river from the many threats to its health and existence from our human intrusions (such as fertilizers, poorly managed development or over-development, faulty septic tanks)
How and why did you get involved with FOWR? I joined as a member when I realized what a beautiful treasure the river is. I joined as a Board member to enlist the Board’s expertise and relationships in addressing the tragic destruction of parts of the Little Wekiva from extraordinary sediment intrusion.
Do you have any unusual skills or hobbies? Most unusual hobby is the practice of Reiki, an energy healing modality that uses energy force to reduce stress and anxiety, encourage relaxation, promote meditation and healing.
What do you like to do for fun? Spending time with family and in nature. Kayaking. Going to St. Augustine Beach and Cape Cod, MA.