President's Message

Hello my surveying friends,

What another great conference! The BBQ dinner was amazing. Thank you to all the chefs and volunteers that made it such a wonderful success, even if I did get last in the ribeye competition. Any of you golfers that missed playing, what a mistake. They did such a great job on staggering the starting holes, it felt like my team had the entire course to ourselves.

I must thank all the sponsors and the exhibitors that helped make this conference exceptional. This was the best turnout we’ve had and you all had a hand in it, thank you. I look forward to next year being even bigger. I thought the awards banquet dinner was a five star dinner. The synchronized plating was very impressive and the dinner was by far one of the best we’ve ever had. The presenters were also top notch. Please be sure to seek out the FSMS staff and thank them for their exemplary work.

A few years ago, some friends and I found a monument in the Everglades called Cape Sable Mid, you can find it on LABINS. It is a 1’x1’x3’ granite monument and was set in 1855. The only metal is brass rod, which we all know is not detectable by a ferrous metal locator. It’s west of Flamingo about eight miles. Searching for this monument was an adventure of a lifetime, if you like finding something few have seen. Post our adventure Rick Pryce recommended that FSMS should create an award for the oldest found monument, and the board agreed.

I was really looking forward to seeing who would win the award this year, unfortunately we didn't have a single applicant. So, here’s my challenge to all of you; find an old monument and submit it. It doesn’t have to be older than 1855, just something “old”. Maybe you find a lightwood post or a pit and mounds, or a state brass monument. We all find cool corners, submit one for the Oldest Monument.

Thank you!

BRION YANCY, PSM
Survey Director | BOWMAN
O: (772) 283-1413 | D: (772) 678-4340 | M: (772) 475-7475

Click Here for Historical Monument Award Background and Criteria

The Award:

The special case is made of Oak, and the centerpiece is the top of an original GLO monument set in 1939 and found pulled and laid over on top of the ground in 2025 near the Section, Township, and Range stamped on top. Out of respect for the importance and history of the GLO surveys, the monument was cleaned and polished and made part of this important award in recognition of the history of Surveyors in Florida and created for the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society.

Previous 2026 Messages
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026