hopeful about our future florida in our · hopeful about our future president’s letter...

2 | 50 years celebrating our past 50 years shaping our future | 1

hopeful about our future

President’s letter

Spectacular beaches, seemingly abundant wildlife, sanctuaries among ancient forests, and calm inlets promising another day of outstanding fishing…. We all recognize that indeed, we are fortunate to live in a very special place here in Southwest Florida. Yet, looking to our friends on the East Coast of Florida, we see that taking this beauty and richness for granted would be a mistake. When one com-pares congested cities, sprawling landscapes of strip malls, polluted waterways and high-rise development that seem to extend right to the high tide mark, we see that there is another possibility for life in Florida – a vision that thankfully our founders foresaw and took early steps 50 years ago to realize.

As residents in Southwest Florida, we enjoy a network of protected spaces including city, county, state and national protected areas. We have seen forms of development that blend the integration of impor-tant ecosystems such as the expansive mangroves within Pelican Bay. We see the restoration of the Western Everglades taking place right here in Collier County, moving from concept to reality. We can enjoy vast wilderness areas such as Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Clearly, we have gotten much of our balance between a growing community with high quality of life and conservation of our natural resources right.

And yet, the story does not end there. Today we face unprecedented challenges. Renewed pressure on growth and development must be examined within context of the natural systems that support our qual-ity of life. We cannot build communities which transect vital panther and other wildlife corridors, or propose rock and sand mining close to or in vital water recharge zones. Pollution and the vast quantities of nutrients being directed to our watersheds and rivers threaten funda-mental elements of our economy and environment.

We invite you to become informed, inspired and involved in the conservation of our natural resources and in securing a sustainable future and high quality of life. Come and visit our recently renovated Nature Center where you can come face to face with native wildlife, take an electric boat ride and explore a natural oasis in the middle of Naples. The future is truly in our hands. It is a hopeful future, and we invite you join us in shaping it… for the benefit of all.

“We invite you to join us in our efforts to protect this

extraordinary place - and the quality of life of generations

to come.”

facebook.com/ConservancySWF twitter.com/ConservancySWFL

www.conservancy.org

southwest FLORIDA IS

IN OuR hands.

Creating the

next generation

of environmental

leaders to

protect our

paradise.

1495 smith Preserve waynaples, FL 34102

239.262.0304ENVIRONMENTAL

EDuCATIONConservancy Summer Campers

Robert J. Moher Conservancy President & CEO

Lynn Slabaugh Conservancy Chair

50 years shaping our future | 3

the town that put up the fight of its life for its wildlife

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Conservancy of Southwest Florida through the decades

1966 AdveRtiSeMent

Together we can save our native animals from the brink of extinction.

Protecting Rookery Bay was the first accomplishment of the fledgling Conservancy of Southwest Florida in 1964.

ROOKERY BAY

Wild Things

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OUR fUTURE

A “mAgiCAl” 10 YEARs

shARE ThE visiOn

2 | 50 years celebrating our past

12 Editor/Writer Barbara Wilson

Graphic & Production Manager Kate Kintz

Social Media & Marketing Coordinator Greg Willette

Photography Dennis Goodman

Please send feedback to [email protected]

Conservancy of Southwest Florida1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples, FL 34102

This publication was generously underwritten by the dellora A. and Lester J. norris Foundation


thrOugh the deCades

the town that put up the fight of its life for its wildlife

One of those proposed roads was an extension to what is now Bayshore Drive, slated to run through the heart of Rookery Bay. The proposed 10-mile extension would de-stroy mangroves and invade barrier islands.

Several concerned citizens rallied on the porch of Lester Norris’s Keewaydin Club and planned their strategy to stop “the road to nowhere.” The grassroots campaign took shape to raise money to purchase the lands needed to permanently protect Rookery Bay - and the Collier County Conservancy was born.

Conservancy member Charles Draper, left, and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norris study map of the proposed Rookery Bay Sanctuary.

Conservancy signing to purchase the first 1,600 acres in the proposed Rookery Bay Sanctuary. Glenn Parker, Glenn Allen, Addison Wood, Doug Hendry, Archie

Turner and Lester Norris.

This ad appeared in an issue of the Collier County News (now Naples Daily News) to launch

Rookery Bay fundraiser.

The newly-renovated Conservancy Nature Center is a showcase for environmental

education in the southeastern United States.

Julius Fleischmann’s 15-room beachfront estate was cut into five sections and eventually became the Big Cypress Nature Center.

The Diversification Years

Growing Into the Future

In the 1960s, Naples waterfronts were undergoing big changes. Developers were dredging canals and filling wetlands to carve out new communities and build new roads from Marco Island to North Naples.

The Expansion Years The Challenging YearsThe Conservancy, under the leader-ship of Willard Merrihue, kicked off the decade with an ambitious campaign to raise $600,000 for land acquisition to permanently protect the perimeter of Rookery Bay. The goal was reached within three months. The Conservancy expanded its work from primarily a land acquisition organization to include environmental research, setting the stage for science-based conservation decisions. The Conservancy conducted and released its landmark three-year Naples Bay water quality study, the baseline for all future water quality studies. The Conservancy merged with the Big Cypress Nature Preserve, which also operated a small clinic for native injured wildlife.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida contin-ues to promote preservation and protection for the region’s waterways and lands. The organization helped rally voter support for land acquisition – programs such as Conservation Collier, Lee County’s 20/20 program and Conservation Charlotte. Nutri-ent pollution and the water quality of our estuaries pose a particular focus to Con-servancy work. Thanks to contributions, the Conservancy completed a $38.8 million campaign, supporting additional conserva-tion work and the opening of a renovated 21-acre Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital. While the past 50 years are behind us, this is only the beginning, and we will continue to count on your support for the future.

1981 launched the sea turtle monitoring and protection program on Keeway-din Island, one of the longest-running sea turtle projects in the country. The Conservancy also opened the 17-acre Naples Nature Center, officially launch-ing its foray into environmental educa-tion. The organization helped prevent the wholesale destruction of wetlands via the “dredge and fill” method on the coastlines. One such fight was with the Deltona Corporation, which was mak-ing plans to develop waterfront home sites on the southeast boundary of the Rookery Bay Sanctuary. Along with support from other environmental al-lies, the case made it all the way to the Supreme Court.

Southwest Florida’s exploding population growth was the second highest in the United States, and Naples boasted one of the hottest housing markets in the coun-try. Gated communities were wiping out thousands of acres of farms, wetlands and forests. Conservancy of Southwest Florida partnered with other organiza-tions to accelerate advocacy, science and conservation efforts to curb the destruc-tion. The organization helped secure the State land purchase of 37,000 acres in Southern Golden Gate Estates, curbed dredging that would have destroyed more shoreline and mangroves in Ham-ilton Harbor, and preserved over 17,000 acres for Western Everglades restoration. The Conservancy, Inc. became Conser-vancy of Southwest Florida, reflecting its expanding regional focus.

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living Waters

rooKerY baYLiving waters. A respite to over 150 species of birds, marine life and other threatened animals.

Located at the northern tip of the Ten Thousand Islands, Rookery Bay is one of the few remaining undisturbed man-grove estuaries in the country, with over 110,000 acres of open water, interconnected bays, mangrove wetlands, lagoons and streams. Rookery Bay almost wasn’t - had it not been for the quick action of a group of concerned citizens.

Protecting Rookery Bay was the first accomplishment of the fledgling Conservancy of Southwest Florida in 1964. A new road was planned as an extension of what is now Bayshore Drive, slated to run through the heart of Rookery Bay. The 10-mile extension would invade mangroves and barrier islands. Despite opposition from developers, a few concerned citizens put together a plan on the porch of Lester Norris’ home on Keewaydin Island, formed the Collier County Conservancy and purchased land to save the estuary.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida worked with other partner organizations on the Deltona Settlement that literally changed the landscape of Collier County. Finalized in 1982,

Rookery Bay Manatees, dolphins, a variety of wading birds and mangrove forests are just a small part of the Rookery Bay experience.

photograph by Dennis gooDman “If we invest in nature, nature

wil l invest in us.”” – Fabien Cousteau, Ocean Explorer

Conservancy of SWFL President Charles Draper (left) participates in handing over the deed to Rookery Bay lands to Herbert Mills, vice president of the

National Audubon Society (right) from Huey Johnson, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in D.C.

Private charters are also available for Good Fortune II cruises through Rookery Bay.

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the settlement prevented the unchecked development by the Deltona Corporation of thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive areas, south of Naples and surrounding Marco Island. Had it not been for this agreement, this coastal land, which includes part of the current Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, may have been dredged, filled, and covered with residences and high-rises.

The Conservancy was granted oversight to monitor plans within the development areas to ensure that the standards agreed upon in the Deltona Settlement were enforced. The organization also conducts various research projects in and around Rookery Bay, including sea turtle research on Keewaydin Island. Guided Good Fortune II pontoon boat tours, run by the Conservancy, provide some of the most spectacular viewing of the area’s mangrove forests, eagles, roosting birds and even dolphins.

Your support can help the Conservancy protect this natural, unspoiled corner of Collier County so residents and visitors can continue to enjoy it into the future.


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healthy WaterWays

pelican baY and clam passConcerned residents and experts work together to provide solutions.

Mangroves live life on the edge and provide a variety of natural “services” to wildlife and people. In addition to sheltering us from storms, mangroves provide valuable nutrients to support local food webs and provide habitat and shelter for a variety of life. In Florida, almost 200 species of birds, along with numer-ous species of reptiles, amphibians, mammals and insects rely on mangrove habitat. Approximately 75 percent of commer-cially caught local fish and prawns, at some point in their lives, utilize mangrove systems.

In 1982, following negotiations between WCI and Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Pelican Bay gave Collier County 570 acres of beaches, mangroves and open water. That area now includes the Clam Bay Natural Resources Protection Area and Clam Pass Park, which the public now enjoys. Conservancy vol-unteers conduct free nature walks for thousands of residents and visitors each year at Clam Pass Park – exploring some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Southwest Florida!

While care was taken to protect the mangrove-rich area, by 1991, approximately 14 acres of black mangroves died. By 1995, a massive die-off of black mangroves (49 acres adjacent to the original 1991 dieback), had extended along the western shore of Upper Clam Bay. Pelican Bay residents, Conservancy of South-west Florida, Collier County and WCI Communities banded together to find a solution and ultimately helped restore the forest.

To this day, Conservancy of Southwest Florida continues to work with Pelican Bay residents and Collier County to advise on mangrove protection and restoration, as well as providing guidance on dredging in Clam Pass. While natural changes to Clam Pass from shifting currents, wind, waves and storms contribute to the Pass filling in, the Conservancy advises utiliz-ing the “Three L’s:” dredge the least amount of sand, the least number of times, for the least cost, and only when the water ex-change between the Gulf and the Clam Bay system is reduced to the point where the health of Clam Bay waterways and the mangrove forest are at risk.

Conservancy volunteers Conservancy of Southwest Florida volunteers offer complimentary

nature walks at Clam Pass – the boardwalk and beach.

Research at work Conservancy Science Director Kathy Worley has been involved in mangrove protection throughout Southwest Florida.

Clam Pass In 2013, local residents and visitors banded together to try to restore healthy water flows into Clam Pass.

photograph by Dennis gooDman

“At the intersection of land and sea, mangrove forests support a wealth of life and may be more important to the health

of the planet than we ever realized.” – Kennedy Warne, National Geographic Magazine

The changing sands, and the ebb and flow of water into the mangroves forests, will require monitoring well into the future. You can trust that Conservancy of Southwest Florida is equipped to do the job - with your ongoing support.

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everglades PrOteCtiOn and restOratiOn

the western evergladesA wild world unlike any other.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida has had a deep com-mitment to the Western Everglades and its protection and restoration.

Beginning in 1974, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, part-nering with many other organizations, supported the federal government purchase of the 570,000-acre Big Cypress National Preserve on the western fringes of the Everglades.

A little further to the west, in the Big Cypress Swamp, two former hair tonic salesman, Julius and Leonard Rosen, were caught up in the Florida land speculation fever and carved out roads and canals in the area known as Golden Gate Estates. Their company, Gulf American Corporation, also developed a project along U.S. 41 known as Southern Golden Gate Estates – an area 80-percent underwater! Af-ter their fraudulent land schemes failed, the State of Florida ultimately added Southern Golden Gate Estates to its land acquisition list in 1985.

That land acquisition process involved the identification of 17,000 landowners – a process that was originally expected to last 10 years. In 1991, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida started the initial round of offers and finished just two-and-a-half years later. The area purchased from those landowners is now part of the Picayune State Forest..

Conservancy of Southwest Florida continues its important work in Picayune Strand and the Western everglades.

The environmental policy team continues to advocate for funds to assist in Everglades restoration and continually en-courages the purchase of additional land parcels for water storage to provide drinking water supplies for all southern Floridians.

dalton discovery Center everglades Gallery The Everglades Gallery features some of the creatures found in the swamp,

along with the work conducted by the Conservancy.


“There are no other Everglades in the world.”

– Marjory Stoneman Douglas, “Mother of the Everglades”

Conservancy scientists remain actively involved in conduct-ing baseline studies and research of various Everglades “residents” – including fish, alligators, the elusive Everglades mink and even ants! This work will help assess if the resto-ration, when completed, is a success. The Everglades is a major focus for our environmental edu-cation programs delivered to local residents and students. The Dalton Discovery Center includes an Everglades exhibit with live baby alligators.

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital team treats hundred of ani-mals from the Everglades each year. the outlook for the everglades is hopeful, but it will require ongoing attention. Your support will help ensure that our work continues so future generations of people and wildlife can experience this remarkable natural treasure.

Picayune Strand, formerly home of the Southern Golden Gate Estates land fraud schemes, was one of the first areas slated for restoration in the Western

Everglades.

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Water resOurCes

water water everYwhereWater is the lifeblood of Florida – for people, nature and the economy.

Southwest Florida is blessed with many natural freshwater areas – beautiful rivers, purifying wetlands, meandering streams and sparkling lakes. Our very existence depends on freshwater - for everyday consumption, commerce, recreation, nature and the overall economic vitality of the region.

Yet, since the 1900s, swamps and low-lying areas have been drained to increase the amount of land available to development. Wetlands bordering bays, lakes and rivers were filled in to create more land. These combined actions changed the natural flow of water in the environment and was disastrous to the natural balance.

The Caloosahatchee River is sacrificed as a conduit for the polluted waters held in Lake Okeechobee. That nutrient pollution is responsible for the toxic green algae slime that has closed beaches and water treatment plants, put human health at risk,

devastated native fish and wildlife and severely impacted our tourist industry.

Members and donors concerned about the state of our water continue to provide resources so the Conservancy of South-west Florida teams can tackle the issues surrounding this most precious resource.

From the landmark water quality study of Naples Bay in 1974, to the creation of the Shotwell Wavering Family filter marsh at the Conservancy Nature Center in 2012, the Conservancy, working with partner organizations, remains committed to our water. Developing fertilizer controls with lo-cal communities, creating “Estuaries Report Card” evaluations, traveling to Washington to visit with lawmakers and continuing wa-ter quality monitoring are all tools available to the Conservancy.

Floridians deserve clean and abundant water. the chal-lenges are many. the threats to Southwest Florida’s water resources are ever-changing and becoming more complex. Your ongoing support will keep us at the forefront to en-sure our waters remain for future generations.

Future environmental Leaders Conservancy summer campers collect

water samples from the Shotwell Wavering Filter Marsh that they will use for

quality testing.Caloosahatchee in Crisis The polluted water released from Lake

Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River plagues our beaches and threatens our greatest economic engine – tourism.

Mangrove Restoration Conservancy biologists working to assess the progress of restoring dying mangroves near Goodland.

Capitol Hill Rally Floridians rally outside the U.S. Capitol Building after a Congressional hearing about the economic and environmental ripple effects of

polluted Lake Okeechobee water releases.


“Water is the soul of the Earth.”

– W.H. Auden, Twentieth Century Poet


Wildlife researCh, PrOteCtiOn and rehabilitatiOn

wild thingsphotograph by Dennis gooDman

Southwest Florida hosts an amazing array of habitats, and along with it, an incredible population of diverse animal species. Unfortunately, more than 50 species of Florida’s wildlife are teetering on the brink of extinction.

Our wildlife is losing habitat and becoming more vulner-able to Southwest Florida’s human population. In recent decades, Florida’s massive population growth and boom-ing tourism industry have disturbed and fragmented many natural areas across the state – and with it, valuable wildlife habitat. However, we can be part of the solution as well.

From saving the “inhabitants” of Rookery Bay in 1964, to providing a temporary home for loggerhead sea turtles in the Dalton Discovery Center, the combined forces of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida policy, science and edu-cation teams – as well as the work of our wildlife rehabilita-tion specialists – help to make Southwest Florida a better place for wildlife.

Thousands of animals show up at the doorsteps of the von Arx Wildlife hospital each year. Conservancy biologists conduct important research on sea turtles, Florida panthers, gopher tortoises, native and visiting birds, frogs – even the endangered Everglades mink. The policy team works with decision makers to protect valuable wildlife habitat and direct development into less environmentally-sensitive areas. The education team works tirelessly to teach the future generation of environmental leaders the importance of protecting our wildlife.

With thousands of acres still potentially slated for de-velopment in Southwest Florida, the fight to save our wildlife has really just begun. Working together with your support, we can help save our wildlife and still support responsible development - just as we have since 1964.

Sea turtle Monitoring Program Conservancy Science Senior Biologist Dave Addison inspecting sea turtle nests on Keewaydin Island.

Wildlife education Conservancy Naturalist and Aquarist Whitney Swain handling a Burmese python to teach the public about invasive species in Southwest

Florida and the impacts they can have on a delicate ecosystem.

Together we can save our native animals from the brink of extinction.

“For if one link in nature’s chain might be lost , another might be lost , until the whole of things wil l vanish by piecemeal ”

– U.S. President Thomas Jefferson

Rehabilitated and Released A majestic bald eagle returns to the wild, thanks to the important work done at von Arx Wildlife Hospital.


leadershiP

Board members

board of directorsThe Conservancy of Southwest Florida thanks the community and business leaders that serve on our Board of Directors and who are passionate about protecting our quality of life ... now and forever.

50TH ANNIVERSARY

C O M E C E L E B R A T E CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL

10AM-4PM

Family Fun

Guest SpeakerS, Live Music, Festival Food, Exhibitors, Crafts, Interactive Programs, Boat Rides, and More

Free off-site parking will be available with shuttle service.

More information will be available at www.conservancy.org/50thfestival in early 2014

Or call 239.430.2466

1 495 SM ITH PRESERVE WAY , SOUTH OF NAPLES ZOO OFF GOODLETTE-FRANK RD .

Support ing Sponsors

OFFICERS

CHAiR Lynn Slabaugh

viCe CHAiR Ken Krier

PReSident & CeO Robert J. Moher

tReASuReR Jay Tompkins

SeCRetARY Jane Pearsall

Dennis Brown

Ed Eaton Thomas R. Gibson

Stephanie Goforth

Phil Gresh John R. Hall

Lois Kelley

Wayne Meland

Gerri Moll Jim Murray Mayela Rosales

Patsy Schroeder

Lynne Shotwell

Heidi Colgate Tamblyn

Anne Drackett Thomas

Tucker Tyler

Nancy G. White

Van Williams


PeOPle Of influenCe

a legacY of leadershipSince it was founded, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida mission to preserve the area’s water, land and wildlife has attracted many passionate leaders. Their combined efforts have yielded important achievements in legislation and public support over the decades. One such leader is Nicholas G. Penni-man IV, former Conservancy Board Chair. He gives voice to all with his new book “Nature’s Stewards, A History of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.” This newly released book chronicles the history of the Conservancy and how it grew from a small land acquisition into one of the largest, and most effective, environmental organizations in Florida. In the book, you’ll “meet” the men and women who committed themselves to protecting and preserving some of the world’s most sensitive ecosystems here in Southwest Florida. Here are a few highlights:

The first leader of the Conservancy, Draper was a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. This great organizer was at helm three years, laying the foundation for generations of leaders to come. He passed away in 1967.

With her no-nonsense style, and proven community leadership credentials, El-lin brought her passion for conservation as board chair and helped advance the Conservancy agenda. She went on to chair Conservation Collier, a highly successful land acquisition referendum and program that exists to this day.

A long time Conservancy supporter, Dick assumed leadership of the board at a critical time, helping to shape the policies of the organiza-tion while Naples was ranked second in the country for growth.

Krier served two terms as interim CEO and continues to support community- based initiatives and conservation, in part through her active involvement in the Southwest Florida Land Preserva-tion Trust, which has championed the Gordon River Greenway.

Prosser came to the Conservancy after helping to establish the first Department of Environment as environmental secretary for the State of Indiana. A former chief of staff for Senator John Glenn, Prosser’s tenure was marked by a period of institutional strength-ening and helped to lay the foundation for the “Saving Southwest Florida” capital campaign.

The longest serving CEO of the Conservancy, McElwaine is known as a great historian and was a strong on policy matters at the Conservancy, both locally and at state and national levels as well. He led the Conservancy on efforts relating to the preservation of panther habitats and shaping the nature of Collier County’s rural lands.

The first Conservancy CEO to come up through the ranks, Moher headed the Conservancy development and market-ing divisions and served in an operational executive role prior to becoming presi-dent. He is a strong collaborator and has over 25 years of hands-on conservation leadership experience.

Sanford’s charming personality and walking cane is still remembered. A natural at fundraising and lobbying, he had an aristocratic style and touched many people.

A triathlete, Guggenheim was an energetic leader who cultivated a strong public im-age for the Conservancy. He led efforts to stem poorly planned growth in the late 1990s and expanded the Conservancy to officially become Conservancy of South-west Florida, reflecting expansion from Collier to include Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.

Tyler served as chairman of the board for four years following Dick Grant, helping the Conservancy grow during the early twenty-first century. His consistent leadership for the “Saving Southwest Florida” Campaign helped generate a record amount of sup-port for the organization.

At a critical phase in the capital campaign, Dolph assumed the role of chair of the board. He led the organization through the sprint to the finish line and also helped guide the Conservancy through difficult negotiations regarding the fate of the Flor-ida panther and our rural lands. The von Arx Wildlife Hospital was opened during his tenure reflecting the passion shared by his wife Sharon for our native wildlife.

With a distinguished career in executive search management, Bob led the Con-servancy as chairman through the post-campaign period, injecting his principled and effective management for the board of directors while also directly shaping the Conservancy new five year strategic plan. The Conservancy was very saddened when Bob passed away suddenly in the late winter of 2013.

His quiet philanthropy and vision for land conservation in the region made him a key player in the founding and financing of the very early years of the Conservancy, including efforts to purchase the original lands in Rookery Bay and on Key Island (today known as Keewaydin Island)

A lawyer by profession, Putzell pro-vided a valuable legal perspective. As the mayor of Naples from 1986 to 1990, this Conservancy advocate was a natural politician and a civic-minded individual. Putzell hired the first paid executive director of the Conservancy, Toivo Tammerk.

A former GE executive, Merrihue devoted 14 years to the Conservancy. Like his predecessor, he loved people and was an adept fundraiser. He is also remembered as a great communica-tor and as the visionary for the original Naples Nature Center.

Toivo stepped in during a period of growth for the Conservancy to become the organization’s first paid CEO. The position was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Sydney Swensrud, who established a significant fund to cover the cost of a professional CEO and president to guide the organization into the future.

Charles draPer

ellin gOetz riChard “diCk” grant

ellie krier

kathy PrOsser

andreW McelWaine

rOb MOher

nelsOn sanfOrd

dr. david guggenheiM

tuCker tyler

dOlPh vOn arx

rObert heidriCk

lester nOrris

edWin “ned” Putzell

Willard “bill” Merrihue

tOivO taMMerk


vOiCes Of Our suPPOrt

nicK & linda penniman ConservanCy supporters anD Former boarD Chair (niCk)

lal gaYnor ConservanCy supporter

sid & linda sapaKie ConservanCy supporters

art & susan calKins-ritas ConservanCy volunteers anD supporters

sudie geier ConservanCy supporter

bob & connie eaton ConservanCy supporters

susan snYder ConservanCy volunteer

geri martin ConservanCy supporter

dudleY goodlette Former ConservanCy boarD member ed selbY ConservanCy volunteer

“We support organizations capable of broadly improving the quality of life for all. The Conservancy is at the top of the list. “

“My parents believed that protecting the natural environment is our duty, and acting otherwise risks squabbling away our natural inheritance.”

“Our family loves animals as pets and in the wild .We also deeply care about and worry about the environment. The Conservancy, through its hospital, education and lobbying, plays an important role in preserving our natural environment today and for future generations. To support this organization was an easy decision for us.”

“The broad-based, multi-faceted approach of the Conservancy makes us hopeful about our environmental future. Environmental protection is a priority, and in our experience no organization does that more effectively than Conservancy of Southwest Florida”

“I’ve seen firsthand how the Conservancy works to improve the five-county region by caring for injured wildlife, influencing policy to protect our environment and educating visitors and the community.”

“We are all very fortunate to live in Southwest Florida and it is our responsibility to support the Conservancy in its effort to preserve the gifts of nature - clean and abundant water being one of the most important.”

“It’s not just the mission, it’s the people. We’ve met people from all over the world. The volunteers are amazing. It’s the most proactive group I’ve seen – people who make a difference.”

“I am deeply committed to the idea that we can find means to live sustainably and the use of geothermal power at the Conservancy is a significant step towards that ideal.”

When the environmental community speaks with one voice, their collective input is extremely helpful. During the eight years that I was privileged to serve in the state legislature, the Conservancy made a difference on many environmental issues.

“The more people learn about the environment, the more they’ll care about it.”


Our future MagiC under the MangrOves

Conservancy Staff at the closing of the “Saving Southwest Florida” Campaign

Delnor Auditorium

the first 50: onlY the beginningThe future of our water, land and wildlife is in our hands.

Thank you for the past 50 years. The syner-gies of your support, our talented staff, scores of volunteers and combined partnerships with other great, like-minded organizations have accomplished great things since 1964 to protect our quality of life. Our wildlife is better protected. Our waters are cleaner. Wild, open spaces are replenishing our drinking waters and providing areas for families to enjoy.

Managing the past 50 years has not been an easy task. Moving forward, the challenges to protect our natural treasures will escalate. The environmental issues are becoming more nu-merous, more complex. So many needs are still unmet; so many challenges to our quality of life are on the horizon.

However, we know the future can be bright. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida team is up to the task. Our 50 years of experience help us un-derstand the root causes of these challenges so we can help develop solutions. We can provide an intelligent approach to a prosperous future – balancing economic growth with conservation.

All it will take is your continued generous sup-port and unrelenting trust in the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for the next 50 years and beyond. Southwest Florida is in our hands, each and every one of us, to ensure we leave the next generation with clean and abundant water, wild spaces and healthy, diverse wildlife – all the things we treasure about our quality of life.

ten “magical” YearsImagine a small group of women, including then Conservancy of Southwest Florida CEO Kathy Prosser, enjoying a boat trip on the Conservancy Good Fortune II, marveling at the beauty of Rookery Bay. As the birds came in to roost for the evening, someone remarked, “And to think, if not for the Conservancy, this could have been a road to nowhere”. With the 40th anniversary approaching, the ladies decided to create a special event to celebrate the accomplishments of the Conservancy. And so, in 2005, Magic Under the Mangroves™ was born.

A committee was formed to plan an event that would both celebrate and support the protection of Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life…an event that would be sophisticated, yet sustainable. On March 2, 2005 500 guests gathered to celebrate “40 years of protecting the nature of our community”. The evening, in a tent “under the mangroves,” included cocktails, auctions, a sustainable dinner and speaker, bestselling author, Carl Hiaasen.

The event was an outstanding success. On March 6, 2014, Magic will

celebrate its 10th year, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Conservancy. Under the leadership of past chairpersons Sue Dalton, Maureen Lerner, Nancy White, Jeannie Smith, current chair Lynne Shotwell and the Magic Committee, Magic Under the Mangroves™ has become one of the top charitable events in Southwest Florida. Over the years, Magic has been named the gala with the “most loyal followers,” the “best fundraiser that is not the wine festival,” the “greenest” and “most breathtaking event,” and the patron party was named the “best fete for patrons.”

The 2013 Magic Under the Mangroves™ event raised over $950,000 net income. Since inception, Magic has raised over $4,300,000 to support the Conservancy mission. The money funds programs that protect our water, our land, our wildlife and our future. Now that’s Magic!

Written by Cynthia Fiber

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yOur legaCy

share a vision

For more information contact Christine Kruman 239.403.4206 or [email protected].

www.conservancy.org/giftplan

E a g l E S o c i E t y

Be part of the next 50 years. Plan your legacy today.

“the ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”

B e q u e s t s

R e t i R e m e n t P l a n s

i R a s

l i f e i n s u R a n c e

l i f e i n c o m e G i f t s

c h a R i ta B l e t R u s t s

c h a R i ta B l e G i f t a n n u i t i e s

- Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day

Southwest Florida’s future is in our hands.

The story of Conservancy of Southwest Florida very much reflects the fa-mous quote by Margaret Mead above. It is a story of the efforts of those who, through their actions, made the future better for generations yet to come. This, in meaningful terms, is the impact of legacy. When people take thoughtful actions to conserve our water, land and wildlife and understand that their con-tributions are not just for their own benefit, but rather for the benefits of others yet to come, this is the foundation of leaving a natural legacy.

The Conservancy has been richly blessed with those who have chosen to strengthen their own legacy of a commitment to our natural world by leav-ing a planned gift to benefit the organization well into the future. Gifts can be planned in a thoughtful way to direct support to an area of great concern for any individual – sustaining our region’s water quality, enhancing the care of injured native wildlife or supporting highly impactful environmental education programs for years to come.

“Never doubt that a smal l group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

– Margaret Mead

Here are some reasons for considering the Conservancy when determining your philanthropic priorities and long term planning:

• Fifty-year history of protecting our region’s environment, guided by thoughtful leadership from a committed 24 member board of directors

• Four-star Charity Navigator rating which reflects the Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to efficient use of donor funds and maximizing impact of these gifts

• Twenty five years of maintaining a robust planned giving program, guided by a committee of volunteer advisors who are among the most respected in our community

• Demonstrated impact, knowing your gift will be utilized to advance our mission for years to come.

to learn more about planning your legacy in support of our water, land and wildlife, please contact Christine Kruman 239.403.4206 or [email protected]

Future environmental Leaders

GET INVOLVED!

> Make a donation or join as a member today.

> Volunteer your talents to save our water, land and wildlife.

> Visit Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center.

> Go to conservancy.org to learn more!

Your support today can help make an impact for the next 50 years.

CONtaCt us

239.262.0304 • www.conservancy.org 1495 smith Preserve way, naPlesNext to Naples Zoo off Goodlette-Frank Road

VIsIt us

facebook.com/ConservancySWF

hopeful about our future florida in our · hopeful about our future president’s letter...

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