2021-2022 COMPASS Report

COMPASS Navigating our region’s future together

FI S CA L

YEA R

202 1 -202 2

Contents

04

Letter from our Board Chair

04

Letter from our President & CEO

05

Leadership

Cover Story

05 Letter from the

Mangroves

President & CEO

10

Our Teams 10 16

Mobile Classroom 40 Years of Sea Turtle Research

32 Events

27 Employee Milestones 30 Magic Under the Mangroves

06

Our Environmental Teams Education

08

von Arx Wildlife Hospital

12

Science & Research

16

Policy & Advocacy

22

Above & Beyond

26

Highlights & Achievements

28

Events

30

Snapshots

32

Connect with Us

34

This Annual Report reflects activities October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022.

Please contact us if there are omissions or errors: 239-403-4207.

2 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

2021-2022 Compass Report 3

Board Chair John Walter

We have emerged stronger and more united in our sense of purpose and relevancy for our community.„

Our President & CEO Rob Moher

members competitively while retaining a robust set of benefits notably with healthcare.

many stressors placed on our environment and entire region. We have seen once again how protecting wetlands, mangroves and upland areas is essential to protecting our community and the wildlife that depend upon these habitats.

• Completing a $5 million investment to expand and re-open the renovated Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center and the new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing for enhanced environmental education.

As an avid boater, I believe firmly that this “Compass Report” is an ideal theme to explore how we have navigated as an organization to protect water, land, wildlife and secure a better future for all residents of our region.

As we wrap up our 58th year of conservation work, the Board of Directors and the senior leadership team of the Conservancy are not only meeting the needs of today, but looking ahead to how our region is changing and assessing how our programs can have the greatest impact in support of our mission. How do we manage the need for economic development and growth while preserving the essential natural systems that protect our community and our prosperity?

I believe this report outlines the progress achieved to date and also guides us to the work ahead.

In the past year, the Conservancy, like each one of us, has weathered a great deal of challenges and uncertainty. We have emerged stronger and more united in our sense of purpose and relevancy for our community. Our institutional stability and effectiveness can be seen in many ways including: • Investing in our people, our most important resource, by seeking to compensate our team

• Making additional capital improvements to support our programs through the construction of the new Environmental Studies Dormitory thanks to the leadership support of Christopher and Jeannie Smith. The new 15,000 square foot building is expected to open in spring 2023 and will increase the capacity and quality of onsite housing for our interns.

• Managing our investments wisely and sustainably.

The Conservancy now screens out select companies from U.S. indexes who are active in our region that we believe are fundamentally damaging our mission interests.

• Maintaining outstanding ratings with independent rating agencies for nonprofit effectiveness and transparency including a four-star Charity Navigator rating – the highest level achievable in addition to a Platinum rating from GuideStar.

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we enthusiastically thank you for your support of and passion for the mission and programs of the Conservancy.

Throughout the past couple of years, it seems we have almost seen it all. Record-setting growth in our region, troubling water quality issues and a continued influx of challenges for our native wildlife. Add to this a catastrophic hurricane impacting our region, a global pandemic, and well, you begin to understand the tremendous demands within which our Conservancy teams have operated.

Thanks to the efforts of those same teams, the wisdom and support of our board, passionate supporters and members, and of course our committed volunteers and interns, we find ourselves having navigated these waves in the past year with our compass always set in one direction: fulfilling the mission of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Protecting land, water and wildlife to secure our future today and tomorrow has never been a more relevant mission for our organization and region. I passionately believe that nature is our best defense in the face of

The Conservancy has continued to showcase its willingness to roll up our sleeves, steer toward the mission and move forward to pursue our essential work with your support. Whether educating our community on water quality and climate change solutions both on and off campus, pursuing the threat of invasive species in our environment, restoring mangrove systems, advocating for smart growth in our eastern lands, or providing native wildlife a second chance of returning to their natural habitat, it is all accomplished day in and day out by an incredible team of dedicated team members encouraged and inspired by the myriad of our supporters, partners and advocates.

I hope you see in this report the passionate efforts of a collective group of teams who work every day on behalf of all of us. With your continued support and encouragement, we will overcome the challenges and relish the hard-earned accomplishments as documented here.

Onward!

Rob Moher

President & CEO

Sincerely,

John Walter

Chair of the Board

4 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

2021-2022 Compass Report 5

Warm waters and dolphin fins, swaying palm trees and salt on your skin.

People travel the world over to visit this place we get to call “home.”

nature 6 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

IS OUR BEST DEFENSE

To have their toes sink into white sand, hear the hush of waves on the shore, and watch the sun melt into the ocean. It’s not hard to understand why they come, or why it’s been so adoringly named the Paradise Coast.

behalf. The very founding moment of our once fledgling non-profit came from an effort to halt the destruction of Rookery Bay and we will continue to stand strong with these incredible forests long into the future.

But even paradise has its paradoxes.

Hidden beneath those lazy waves and warm breezes is an energy with the potential to release unfathomable destruction. We’ve seen and felt its power, raging against the lifestyles we’ve built. The power to move oceans. To turn day into night and land into water. To live here is to accept that danger. To respect it, and to prepare for it. And in preparing for that looming threat, we at the Conservancy, believe it’s best to look towards and protect those who have been surviving it for millennia...mangroves.

Home to spiders and fiddler crabs, tangled roots and woven branches, these trees are the epitome of resiliency, with the capacity to withstand hurricanes engrained in their very fibers. Aside from being instrumental to the health and economic vitality of this entire region, they stand as guardians to the land. This first line of defense is capable of breaking down wave heights by up to 66% over 100 meters and reducing storm surges by nearly two feet over a kilometer. Two feet may not sound like much, but it makes a huge difference in a place where the average elevation barely breaks double digits.

Though we’ve branched out to cover all environmental issues in our nearly 60-year history, the protection of mangroves has always been a centerpiece of this organization. We’ve spent decades in the mud studying and monitoring their health, educated the public on their importance, and even gone to court to speak on their

More storms will come, that we can be sure of. The question is, “how will we prepare for them?” These forests are a priceless piece to the beautiful puzzle we call home and to protect them, is to protect ourselves. To choose not to is to endanger all of us, from dolphins and dancing palms to those who fish and those in the tourism industry.

2021-2022 Compass Report 7

conservancy.org/education

E N V I R O N M E N TA L E D U C AT I O N

New Nature Center and Programs Environmental education for all ages is a key aspect of the Conservancy’s work — including programs brought right to the community through the Learning Adventures Bus (LAB), as well as the newly renovated and expanded Nature Center. and baby alligators, and the Dalton Discovery Center offers a touch tank where visitors can interact with and learn about sea urchins, starfish, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, sea hares, conchs, and more.

Ribbon cutting of the Dalton Discovery Center and the John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing expansion.

Opening in December 2021, the renovated Dalton Discovery Center includes the new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing, which features an Invasive Species Gallery where visitors can learn about how invasive species are impacting Southwest Florida. The exhibits educate and showcase how the Conservancy’s science team is working to better understand these plants and animals. On display is an array of facts and figures about Burmese pythons, the apex predator in the Florida Everglades, with Stitch, a 10-foot-long Burmese python as a live ambassador for teaching.

The education team provides guided nature center tours with a full host of history and displays of conservation efforts. The Nature Center also offers self-guided tours for guests to experience the Dalton Discovery Center, nature trails with native plant species, kayak rentals, and electric boat rides down the Gordon River.

The Nature Center also has plenty of live “ambassador” animals to observe or meet, including snakes, lionfish, jellyfish, cane toads, 8 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

An Augmented Reality Wildlife Encounter allows visitors to interact digitally with a native animal—a Florida panther, Florida black bear, or American alligator. The exhibit captures and shares a photo of the animal encounter and has been a fun addition to the immersive learning experience.

Also inside the John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing is a Climate Change Theater featuring Science on a Sphere, which was built through a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). More than six feet in diameter, this suspended screen in the shape of a sphere features 360-degree satellite imagery that introduces visitors to the impacts of climate change locally and around the world.

Through an interactive kiosk, visitors can see live weather, historic hurricane seasons, ocean currents, animal migrations, and even other planets and moons in our solar system—a different experience each time you visit.

The Conservancy will continue to build on public programs and enhanced exhibits at the Nature Center while launching new educational programs and opportunities for visitors to learn about the nature of our region.

The newly expanded Dalton Discovery Center brings together the latest technologies and hands-on activities to educate guests of all ages.” - Rob Moher, President & CEO

Conservancy and Rookery Bay Education Staff Team Up The Conservancy of Southwest Florida education team had a busy field trip season out on the water for the SURVIVORS field trip offered in partnership with the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The science-based field trip includes boating time on our Good Fortune II within the pristine waters of Rookery Bay. Students are able to conduct water quality tests and identify common marine invertebrates found in the estuary.

A student tests water quality on the SURVIVORS field trip.

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E N V I R O N M E N TA L E D U C AT I O N

conservancy.org/education

Mobile Classroom Rolls through Town The Learning Adventures Bus (LAB) cruised around town this summer as part of the Conservancy’s new educational Summer Science Learning Adventure Modules program – Summer SLAM. Thanks to the annual operational support of three local funding partners – Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF), Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation – the LAB mobile classroom reached more than 760 students at 11 locations in Collier and Lee counties with its unique summer science learning programs.

760

students reached in Collier and Lee counties

Left: Students gather around the LAB touch table.

Right: Education staff educates students at a local event with the LAB.

10 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

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conservancy.org/wildlife

W I L D L I F E R E H A B I L I TAT I O N

A Busy Baby Season

Year in Review

Each spring, the longer days and warming temperatures trigger many native animals to begin breeding and nesting. This increase in activity results in a surge of admissions to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital – animal admissions doubled during spring and summer months. On one Saturday in June alone, we admitted over 30 baby animals. This past year, our Annual Baby Shower, held virtually, brought in donations and resources needed to care for the influx of injured and orphaned baby wildlife.

From Hurricane Ian to normal daily operations, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital has seen 4,217 animals.

When Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, our friends at CROW Clinic on Sanibel Island needed immediate assistance. We began to transfer their wildlife patients to our facility. This partnership still continues as CROW navigates and rebuilds their site. Outside of admissions, the wildlife hospital has made major contributions to shorebird safety, gopher tortoise protection and overall wildlife injury prevention.

9%

REPTILES

35% MAMMALS

56%

Baby killdeer admitted to von Arx Wildlife Hospital after it was found orphaned.

Rare Patients and Unique Rescues

BIRDS

Caracara found hanging upside down was rescued

by Conservancy volunteers.

Dr. PJ Deitschel holds a Polyphemus moth that was admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital – the first time the team recalls seeing this species as patient.

12 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Burrowing owl found sick after hurricane Ian in Sanibel and transferred from CROW.

Great horned owl found

by Naples Police Department .

A rare patient, Eastern mole, found drowning in pool.

2021-2022 Compass Report 13

W I L D L I F E R E H A B I L I TAT I O N

Naples Pier Pelican Protection In June 2022, Naples City Council voted to extend the Sunday fishing closure at the Naples Pier through June 2023 in an effort to minimize injuries to shorebirds, especially brown pelicans, caused by fishing line and hook entanglement.

While the destruction of the Naples Pier due to Hurricane Ian has closed the pier to fishing, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital will continue to document admissions and provide input regarding the Naples Pier rebuild in an effort to balance angling activities with native shorebird protection.

Gopher Tortoise Protection in Marco Island In June, more than 4-acres of gopher tortoise habitat was protected in eastern Marco Island.

The stretch of South Barfield Drive has a 30-mph speed limit, yet was the location of more than 28 tortoise mortality events in early 2022. The land surveys show it holds burrows of almost 200 tortoises and other native wildlife including burrowing owls.

Joanna Fitzgerald, Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, helped coordinate the efforts with local partners to deploy resources to install a silt fence to keep the tortoises from crossing the road.

The fence was completed in one day, alleviating, so far, numerous injuries to wandering tortoises.

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital’s strong history of injury prevention lead the Center for Biological Diversity to ask the Conservancy, along with Friends of the Pelicans, Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges, Humane Society of the United States, and American Bird Conservancy to cosign a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking the Migratory Bird Treaty Act be enforced due to ongoing threats to native shorebirds populations from angling activities at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. Von Arx Wildlife Hospital staff also continue to participate in the Hooked Pelican Working Group, coordinated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. This interagency and inter-organizational team is committed to providing long-term guidance and direction on managing the entangled seabird issues throughout the southwest region of Florida.

Fitzgerald and a team of volunteers work to protect gopher tortoises on Marco Island.

14 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

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E N V I R O N M E N TA L SCIENCE & RESEARCH

conservancy.org/science

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida sea turtle program is one of the longest continuously running sea turtle monitoring research projects in the world.

Since the program’s inception, we have estimated over 434,410 hatchlings from Keewaydin Island reaching Gulf of Mexico waters for their chance at becoming adults.

Total Nests: 11,342 Nests Conservancy of Southwest Florida on Keewaydin (1983-2022) and Naples Beach (1994-2018)

2013-2022

2003-2012

2,642

1993-2002

2,559 1983-1992

Record Year for Sea Turtle Nesting The 40th season of the Conservancy’s sea turtle nesting research and monitoring program on Keewaydin Island was a tremendous success, even with Hurricane Ian hitting the island at the tail end of turtle season. This year, there were a record 628 nests on the island and about 42,905 hatchlings that made it into the Gulf before the hurricane in September - a substantial increase in comparison to the last decade.

5,210

931

Total Eggs: 830,870 Dr. Jeff Schmid setting up a protective cage for a newly discovered sea turtle nest on Keewaydin Island.

Total eggs the Conservancy assessed on Keewaydin (1983-2022) and Naples Beach (1994-2018) Photo captions

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E N V I R O N M E N TA L SCIENCE & RESEARCH

Burmese Python Program Highlighted in National Geographic Conservancy of Southwest Florida researchers stunned the world in a June article from National Geographic, which highlighted the most massive Burmese python ever documented in Florida.

The invasive animal weighed 215 pounds and measured nearly 18 feet. But it was only when this python was back at the lab that our team realized it carried a second record-breaking statistic.

apex predators that are wreaking havoc on the Everglades ecosystem and taking food sources from other native species,” said wildlife biologist Ian Bartoszek. “This is the wildlife issue of our time for southern Florida.”

The team found the snake within the Picayune Strand State Forest using its nationally recognized research program, which uses radio transmitters implanted in male “scout” snakes to understand python movements, breeding behaviors, and habitat use. Scout snakes can lead biologists to breeding aggregations and large, reproductive females, allowing researchers to remove breeding females and their developing eggs from the wild.

Once back in the lab, the second recordbreaking discovery was uncovered. During the necropsy, researchers found 122 developing eggs within the snake’s abdomen.

“The removal of female pythons plays a critical role in disrupting the breeding cycle of these

This finding sets a new limit for the highest number of eggs a female python can potentially produce in a breeding cycle. Furthermore, an assessment of the snake’s digestive contents found hoof cores, determining an adult whitetailed deer to be the snake’s last meal.

To date, the Conservancy has removed more than 1,000 pythons weighing in excess of 26,152 pounds from an area in Collier County of less than 100 square miles.

7-2018 201

1,992 pounds

9-2020 201

2,734 pounds 201

8-2

18 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

019

3,581 pounds

1-2022 202

4,376 pounds 202

0-2

021

4,308 pounds Biologist Ian Easterling (L) and Ian Bartoszek (R) after capturing the most massive Burmese python ever caught in Florida.

2021-2022 Compass Report 19

E N V I R O N M E N TA L SCIENCE & RESEARCH

The State of Mangroves

Cane Toad Program Wraps Up

Hurricane Irma roared through Collier County in 2017 decimating mangrove forests, but in 2022, Hurricane Ian did not impact mangroves as severely.

Conservancy biologists wrapped up a three-year initiative to research cane toads in Southwest Florida using radio-tracking, trap/lure design testing and diet analysis. It was some of the first scientific data gathered on cane toads in our region and researchers gained insight into cane toad movements, habitat utilization, and effects on native wildlife. The project has produced five scientific publications, with a final publication focusing on the diet of cane toads from two golf course communities in Naples, currently in draft. Over the span of the study, the stomach contents from 239 cane toads was examined and more than 13,691 prey items in 180 taxonomic categories were discovered.

Miles of mangroves in Lee and Collier counties weathered the storm surge from Ian better than developed coastal areas that were devasted. We continue to monitor the mangroves in Clam Bay and Fruit Farm Creek to get a closer look at these ecosystems and evaluate any delayed effects from the storm.

Stomach contents of

239

cane toads studied

Left: The Conservancy has worked in the Clam Pass area for decades, protecting and preserving acres of mangroves. Photo taken two weeks prior to Hurricane Ian. Right: A Conservancy science intern sets up a cane toad trap.

20 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

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E N V I R O N M E N TA L POLICY & ADVOCACY

conservancy.org/policy

Court of Appeal agrees with Conservancy: Rivergrass must address traffic and taxpayer impacts

The Strength of Partnerships: Importance of LOSOM and SB 2508 Due to the efforts of the Conservancy, strong partnerships and outcry from citizens like you, Governor DeSantis vetoed SB 2508 on June 8, a bill that would have resulted in untold negative impacts to our precious natural resources.

SB 2508 was introduced mid-session, allowing only one public hearing and severely limiting the public’s ability to provide critical input on important legislation that would have negatively impacted our environment and our economy. Public pressure did result in language changes that attempted to lessen the damaging aspects of the bill and this apparently was sufficient to satisfy some. However, the Conservancy partnering with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and Friends of the Everglades remained steadfast in our vocal opposition.

Our continued, collaborative opposition was based on the fact that SB 2508, even as amended, would have undermined the new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) and had a chilling effect on state water managers by perpetuating the harmful “hold and dump” practices for management of Lake Okeechobee.

22 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

The Conservancy is pleased to share that the Second District Court of Appeal (DCA) ruled in our favor, confirming our legal right to present evidence against Rivergrass Village with regard to traffic impacts and fiscal neutrality. We were prepared to provide evidence to the circuit court that Rivergrass will create significant traffic issues and will require taxpayer subsidies to cover costs for needed infrastructure, services, and facilities to support Rivergrass’ population. Collier County and Collier Enterprises claimed that the Conservancy could not challenge a development order based on traffic issues and a development’s cost burden to taxpayers.

The DCA stated that the circuit court erred in siding with Collier County and Collier Enterprises because the community does have a right to bring forth claims related to a development’s traffic and fiscal impact. The Conservancy is very pleased that the DCA confirmed our legal right. We are eager to finally be able to show at trial how Rivergrass Village will impact the community.

We thank the 13 civic and environmental organizations who filed an amicus brief in support of our appeal. Furthermore, we remain grateful to our supporters and members who continue to stand with the Conservancy, as we continue our long and distinguished 59-year history of advocating for sustainable development and finding solutions that balance the needs of our growing community with preservation of our natural resources.

SCCF CEO James Evans and Conservancy President & CEO Rob Moher.

The result would have been reduced beneficial flows to the Caloosahatchee and Everglades during the dry season and increased damaging high-volume discharges to our coastal communities during the wet season.

It is important to note that the LOSOM process is one in which the Conservancy, in partnership with SCCF, deployed our resources and were the only groups on the West Coast providing independent critique of the proposed hydrologic models.

Wildlife Corridors Critical to Survival The current population of endangered Florida panthers is estimated to be as low as 120-230 cats. In order to secure the Florida panther’s future, additional habitat to the north needs to be secured – and the corridors to connect them to the core population in our region is essential. Existing Florida panther corridors and habitat are also currently under threat from development.

Thus, the Conservancy has assembled maps and resources that stakeholders, agencies, and the public can utilize to prioritize land acquisition and protection efforts, in advancement of a statewide wildlife corridor that will benefit not just the Florida panther, but also many flora and fauna.

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E N V I R O N M E N TA L POLICY & ADVOCACY

Naples Fertilizer Ordinance Upheld An organization representing lawn care services, turf managers, and other similar entities challenged in Circuit Court a 2019 decision by the Naples City Council to adopt a fertilizer ordinance that would help improve water quality. In 2021 and then again in 2022, a judge ruled in favor for the City.

The strong and protective fertilizer ordinance was strongly supported by the Conservancy, as one piece of the puzzle to protect our local water quality from nutrient pollution, and in the years prior we worked with the City to implement the ordinance. The judge’s ruling put to rest the claim that the City did not comply with Florida statutory requirements when adopting the ordinance, and supporting the ability of local municipalities to continue to adopt such strong ordinances to protect their waters and quality of life. Over 110 cities and counties in Florida have been proactive in protecting their waterways by adopting more stringent local ordinances that are stronger than the state model.

Particularly during rainy season, fertilizer can run off into waterways and increase nutrient pollution loading in local waterways, contributing to harmful algal blooms. By decreasing the amount of fertilizer on lawns, and employing other best practices, less excess nutrients will reach the bay and other waters.

Mega Permit Proposed to Authorize 45,000 Acres of Development Withdrawn After more than a decade of efforts to dissuade the permitting for the Eastern Collier County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), the plan has been withdrawn from consideration. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been considering authorizing a 50-year permit under the Endangered Species Act requested by 12 large landowners in Eastern Collier County. The authorization would have given a blanket approval for wildlife impacts to 19 state and federally-protected species from the proposed sprawl development and mining of 45,000 acres, including lands the Florida panther depends on for its survival and recovery.

The Conservancy and our partners have spent years pointing out the fatal flaws of the plan, and highlighting the deadly traffic that would result if the HCP and its associated developments would be approved. Over 800,000 additional daily vehicle trips would be added on fatal roadways where Florida panthers are already being struck and killed regularly. It is estimated that another 200 miles of new or widened roadways would be constructed to support the developments. Ultimately, the severity of these impacts would not be adequately addressed by the measures that the applicants proposed. The Conservancy continues to fight against inappropriate development threatening our wildlife in Eastern Collier County and throughout our region.

24 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Battle to Save Wetlands through Court Case Continues The year 2022 brings with it the 50th anniversary of one of our nation’s foundational environmental laws – the Clean Water Act. Here in Florida, the Army Corps of Engineers has long been the agency responsible for deciding if development projects are compliant with this vital law. However, in December 2020, the authority to implement the Clean Water Act dredge and fill permitting program (also known as the Section 404 program) was handed over to the state of Florida. In doing so, important federal protections were lost, resulting in fewer protections for our critical wetlands and the wildlife that rely on them.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and our partners, represented by Earthjustice, have been in court challenging this illegal transfer of authority.

In March 2022, a federal judge agreed with us that the transfer was done inconsistent with law and also denied the state of Florida’s effort to dismiss

our entire court case. The remainder of the case is yet to be heard.

Every acre of wetland is essential to solving our water quality troubles by providing natural filtration as nature’s kidneys. It is estimated that one acre of wetlands can provide storage for over one million gallons of flood waters, helping in storm events.

Yet, the state of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection is close to deciding on immense and disastrous development and mining projects that will forever change Southwest Florida and the fates of our endangered species, wetland flow-ways, drinking water resources, and cherished public lands. The Conservancy’s policy team is fully dedicated to protecting critical wildlife habitat and wetland ecosystems at risk, while awaiting the next steps in this groundbreaking court case.

2021-2022 Compass Report 25

Exceeding expectations in order to make a positive impact on the natural environment is a hallmark of Conservancy supporters, members, volunteers and staff. These are just a few highlights from 2021-2022 that demonstrate how the Conservancy team and its supporters go above and beyond to advance our mission.

Vo lunte e r

Clam Pas s Walks

In October, Environmental Policy Director Nicole Johnson celebrated her 25th anniversary with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. She was not the only staff member that reached a major milestone. President and CEO Rob Moher surpassed 10 years — our longest standing CEO in the Conservancy’s history — as part of his 23 years with the organization.

F ilter Mars h

RICK HENSLEY

N AT U R A L I S T S

E X PA N S I O N

Rick Hensley, a 20-year veteran volunteer at the Conservancy, was featured in Florida Weekly’s “The Spirit of Volunteerism.”

The piece highlights the importance of nonprofits in any community and why a passionate volunteer base is critical for those organizations to thrive.

Hensley volunteers his time with the Conservancy because of our mission to protect water, land and wildlife and does it all – from electric boat captain to driving the Learning Adventures Bus – Hensley’s dedication is an inspiration.

Volunteer naturalists are trained and knowledgeable on the secret lives of Southwest Florida’s flora and fauna. Clam Pass County Park offers a beautiful beach and a scenic boardwalk through a unique habitat. Learn about the special trees, see beautiful shorebirds and learn about this biologically rich area. Clam Pass guided nature trail walks run from December to April.

The South Florida Water Management District generously funded the expansion of the Shotwell Wavering Filter Marsh at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

This project is a great educational tool for stormwater research and best management practices.

Visit: conservancy.org/ nature-walks to sign up.

EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARY MILESTONES

Nicole Johnson 25 years and Rob Moher 10 years as CEO.

2 0 2 2 E AG L E AWA R D The Conservancy of Southwest Florida bestowed its highest honor, the Eagle Award, to Lynne and Chip Shotwell. The award was presented at the Conservancy’s Annual Meeting for members Jan. 18, 2022.

Lynne and Chip Shotwell with Rob Moher.

Lynne and Chip understand that some of the most important issues that the Conservancy engages on might not be easy, and there are going to be battles, but they are behind us and „ committed to us 100 percent.

– Nicole Johnson, director of environmental policy

26 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

2021-2022 Compass Report 27

I S TA N D CAMPAIGN

As part of our mission, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is committed to ensuring our pristine paradise for future generations to enjoy. The following are just a few examples from 2021-2022 highlighting the endorsements we have received from outside agencies.

The 2022 “I Stand” campaign involves prominent members of the community who announced they stand with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida on issues like water quality, invasive species removal, environmental education, and wildlife rehabilitation. The campaign includes broadcast TV, social media, web, print, and radio.

E N V I R O N M E N TA L STUDIES DORMITORY

SCCF PARTNERSHIP To further a commitment to regional water quality and Western Everglades restoration through a unified front, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida continue to work together to combine technical resources and advocacy to shed light on environmental issues in our region, most recently penning an editorial about the importance of mangrove systems for coastal resilience.

28 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

The new Environmental Studies Dormitory will be complete in spring 2023! The new building, donated

by Jeannie Meg and Christopher Byron Smith - as well as more than a dozen generous supporters and foundations - will house up to 30 interns at a time and will include a suite for visiting Ph.D. researchers.

It will also include a mixed-use floor that will have new office space and a video production studio.

The Conservancy received nine ADDY Awards through AdFed’s Southwest Florida region, which covers agencies, organizations, and businesses in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The ADDY Awards are the industry’s largest and most representative competition, and winners exemplify the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.

2021-2022 Compass Report 29

The Conservancy’s mission is supported by premier events and activities throughout the year. Funds raised at events directly support our work to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.

R E C O R D - B R E A K I N G E A R T H DAY The 2022 Earth Day Festival at the Conservancy Nature Center saw record-breaking attendance as more than 2,000 people attended the interactive event to learn about our work, take part in fun activities, and enjoy some fantastic food.

MAGIC UNDER THE MANGROVES The 18th Annual Magic Under the Mangroves gala raised a record $2.1 million net for Conservancy programs to protect the water, land, wildlife and future of Southwest Florida. More than 400 guests attended the in-person event chaired by Terry and Bob Edwards.

Presented by

Supporting Sponsor

Community Sponsor

30 Conservancy of Southwest Florida

The 2022 RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Fishing Tournament netted more than $220,000 to help fund our clean water efforts.

The 2022 RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Fishing Tournament held the Fight for Clean Water kickoff party as scheduled in October, with the tournament postponed to Dec. 3 – 4 due to Hurricane Ian. The Conservancy conducted a special cash call fundraiser for the YMCA of Marco Island to benefit rebuilding efforts for residents of Isles of Capri, raising more than $45,000 in ten minutes, with a $25,000 matching donation from the Collier Community Foundation. The 2022 tournament was a record-breaker in both funding and participation.

2021-2022 Compass Report 31

Conservancy scenes from 2021-2022 200,000 SUPPORTERS ON FACEBOOK! The Conservancy’s Facebook page reached a milestone of 200,000 followers. We would like to thank our supporters for following, liking, sharing and commenting on our daily posts! Your support on Facebook means you care about the work we do day in and day out.

Thank you for caring about conservation just as much as we do.

On right: von Arx staff work with a Magnificent frigatebird transferred from CROW Wildlife Hospital in Sanibel after Hurricane Ian.

SSTRIDE© STUDENTS IN PYTHON LAB

G R E AT E R N A P L E S LEADERSHIP

Conservancy Biologist Ian Easterling welcomed a group of aspiring veterinarians into the invasive species lab to take part in a Burmese python necropsy.

The Conservancy hosted GNL Environmental Day on campus in November, with leaders from across the region discussing critical environmental issues facing Florida.

ATA L A B U T T E R F L I E S SEEN ON CAMPUS The Atala butterfly is making a comeback in Southwest Florida because of the regrowth of the “coontie or coontie palm” - its sole larval host plant. The Conservancy campus has seen an abundance of these colorful creatures, with numerous host plants to support reproduction.

SCOUT GUIDE’S NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR The Conservancy is proud to announce we’ve been Scouted! We were featured as “Nonprofit of the Year” in Scout Guide Naples Vol. 10.

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GOING GREEN The Nature Center’s gift shop was featured in “Times of the Island” magazine about going green.

Our selection of unique and eco-friendly items represents our mission of protecting Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN PROTECT OUR PARADISE.

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conservancy.org

If there are no mangroves, then the sea will have no meaning. It’s like a tree with no roots, for the mangroves are the roots of the sea!”

- Mad-Ha Ranwasii

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