Conservation chief leaves organization

NAPLES — Andrew McElwaine, who led an effort to expand panther habitat in South Florida by millions of acres, is leaving his post as CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to become the president of American Farmland Trust.

Under McElwaine, the Conservancy challenged government and private landowners over wildlife habitat, including a high-profile dispute over panther territory that would limit future development in South Florida. Most recently, the organization said it planned to sue the federal government over what it says is the mismanagement of endangered species.

Over the last five years, McElwaine and the Conservancy raised $38.8 million in a fundraising campaign called “Saving Southwest Florida.” The organization has used the proceeds to renovate its nature center in Naples and promote education and research.