On March 10-12, 2026, 124 Southerners gathered in Florida for MDC’s State of the South™: Jacksonville. The convening brought together local community members, artists, leaders, and neighbors from across the South to talk about ways to build community resilience in the face of increasing climate and development pressures. Over three days, we learned about the history and ecology of Jacksonville from a boat on the St. Johns River; we saw the experiences of local Jaxsons come to life through art (read more about the Duval Displaced, Duval Dis Place art exhibit here); and we discussed ways we can use data analysis, personal narratives, and policy discussions to transform systems to better serve communities.

On Wednesday, March 11, Kristopher Smith from LISC Jacksonville, Natavia Wicker from Historic Eastside CDC, Nicole Oriol from H.E.L.P. CDC, and Dan Richard from the University of North Florida spoke to attendees about their work to resolve heirs’ property cases in the South. The conversation explored the ways that a combination of data, community knowledge, and free legal services can help keep long-time residents in their homes and preserve neighborhoods.

To learn more about heirs’ property in the South, check out these resources:

• Plain language overview of heirs’ property
• Detailed explanation of heirs’ property impacts in the South
• LISC Jacksonville’s Heirs’ Property Playbook

Many thanks to LISC Jacksonville for their sponsorship of State of the South: Jacksonville. To learn more about LISC Jacksonville’s approach to heirs’ property preservation:

LISC Jacksonville
100 North Laura Street
Suite 600
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Telephone: (904) 353-1300

Fax: (904) 353-1314

www.lisc.org/jacksonville/

Photo Credit: Toro Photo Co