The total area of Four Mile Village is approximately 300 acres, including approximately 100 acres occupied by about 50 residential homesites, the 40-acre Lake Fuller (Lake Coffeen), and 160+ acres of forested preserve land. Deed restrictions and covenants for each residential lot specify that all buildings must be free standing single family dwellings. Only a few of the houses are year-round residences, with about 10 being rented as vacation homes during the summer.

The Preserve contains a remarkable diversity of natural environments, including forest, marshes, coastal dunes,and water. There are eight distinct natural plant associations, the largest of which is the mesic flatwoods, an area that encompasses approximately 86 acres. Others are beach dunes, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, wet flat-woods, hydric hammock, bay galls, and coastal dune lakes. The surrounding area is experiencing rapid growth in resident and tourist population, as well as commercial development. The Preserve remains as a unique remnant community of what most of the Florida panhandle was like some 50years ago.

The Four Mile Village community was founded in 1946 by John and Dorothy Coffeen. The Coffeens had purchased the property in the early1940's but were delayed in occupying the site by World War II, when the U.S. Military (Army Air Force) requested use of the land for an "important military mission". The site had been previously logged for pine, and then much of it devastated by the military activity during 1944-45, which involved the testing of JB-2 missiles,the American version of German V-1or "buzz bomb". When the Coffeens finally settled on the land in 1946, the old mess hall became the Coffeen home, and still remains today as the Preserve manager's residence. Scattered remnants of the military occupation remain today, including four bunkers, two missile ramps, and assorted concrete foundations and asphalt roads or runways.
The Coffeen Nature Preserve was created in 1976, when Dorothy Coffeen donated 197 acres of undeveloped land at Four Mile Village to the Sierra Club Foundation. The deed transferring the property to the Foundation states that the grant was made because of the "expressed intentions and promise to conserve and preserve the natural beauty and characteristics of the area called the Coffeen Nature Preserve for educational, conservation and scientific purposes limited by the size, sensitivity and character of the land conveyed". Additional land, including her residence,guest house (or Watson House, affectionately known as the "Castle"),and all unsold residential lots, was bequeathed at her death at the age of 80 onDecember 20, 1978, to make the total preserve property approximately 225 acres.

The Preserve property primarily occupies the northern two thirds of Four Mile Village (mostly north ofthe south edge of Lake Fuller), with the remaining one third being the residential sites (mostly between the south edge of the lake and the Gulf). The Preserve also includes some property south of the lake, including the crest of a high dune named Topsail Bluff, an interdune area, and an access area to the beach with a boardwalk across the dunes (referred to as "thegap"). Several hiking trails provideaccess to various parts of the Preserve,including the Sand Pine Military Trail for which a trail guide is available. Asmall wooden dock is located at the southwest side of Lake Fuller, which is restricted to non-motorized craft.

As Dorothy Coffeen described it, the Preserve is "A place of peace, a placeof quiet, and a refuge for all God's creatures". Its solitude and peaceful setting contrast sharply with the hustle and bustle of tourist traffic and commercial development now impacting south Walton County. The Preserve is bordered by contrasting environments. To the south is the Gulf of Mexico (with about 2200 ft of beach frontage) and to the east the 1,640-acre Topsail Hill Preserve StatePark, with natural communities similar to those of the Coffeen Preserve. In contrast, the west border presents a sharp boundary with the urban landscape of the Tops'l Beach & Racquet Resort, with its high-rise condominiums, referred to by some as the "Great Wallof Florida". To the north is U. S.Highway 98, and beyond the highway the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort.

For most of its history, the CoffeenNature Preserve was managed for theSierra Club Foundation by theFlorida Chapter of the Sierra Club, initially through its Lodges and LandsCommittee, and later through itsCoffeen Nature Preserve ManagementCommittee. However, in 1998, the Foundation transferred responsibility for management of the Preserve to the Sierra Club Gulf Coast Regional Conservation Committee. And then in 2003-2004, the Foundation, concluding that land management was not its appropriate role, began the process of transferring ownership and management responsibility of the Preserve to a newly formed Coffeen Land Trust, which was "dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the Coffeen Nature Preserve as a sanctuary for humans, plants and wildlife". Addressing the needs of the Preserve while also respecting the rights and concerns of the general public and the property owners has been a challenge, and has required careful consideration and discussion of all options, proper planning and implementation of a management plan, and in many cases, compromise.

In the past, Sierra Club groups have visited Coffeen for meetings (usually held in one of the rented houses), stayed in the Castle (maintained for visitors to the Preserve), or camped in a small primitive group camping area (with two small restrooms and shower stalls). Many of these groups were work parties, and helped with trail maintenance, litter pickup, and other tasks, while also enjoying the benefitsof the Preserve and the beach. Unfortunately during the transition from Sierra ClubFoundation to Land Trust ownership, such visits have not been possible as the new Land Trust negotiated its policies relative to group visits. However, the Preserve has always been open for day visitors, but only with prior contact and registration with the resident managers (Susan and Bruce Paladini: 850-267-2312).

The Coffeen Land Trust was incorporated in April, 2003,with the intent of accepting the donation of and subsequently managing the Coffeen Nature Preserve property. According to the bylaws, the initial Board ofTrustees of the Coffeen LandTrust would consist of 10 persons, including three Sierra Club representatives, three members of the Four Mile Village Property Owners Association, plus the President of the Association (who can vote only in case of a tie),and three members from the general public with no business, property ownership, or family ties to Four Mile Village. Working with such a diverse board with a diversity of interests and opinions regarding how the Preserve should be managed, and how the property rights of the home owners should be protected has been a challenge, and at times frustrating.

However, the Board has worked diligently and negotiated compromises that may soon allow Sierra Clubgroups to again visit Coffeen for overnight stays. The first task will be to improve the condition of the Castle as a place for groups to stay (up to 6 for overnight stay). Initially, these visitors must be work parties composed of Coffeen members (requires an annual donation of $50), who will help with the renovation work on the Castle and the campground, or with other tasks. Of course, visitors to Coffeen can also rent one of the beach houses if more elegant accommodationsare required (contact Susan Paladini regarding rentals @ 850-267-2312).

Anyone interested in the Coffeen Preserve and its continued protection is eligible and encouraged to become a Coffeen member. The annual donation of $50 will give each member an opportunity to help protect this unique part of coastal Florida. To become a member or obtain additional information, contact David Wells at dwells1315@yahoo.com (or 210-807-6514).