NOVEMBER 2021
ANNIVERSARIES
Wonders never cease at Bonita Springs park
The Wonder Gardens has been a little bit like a flamingo. Sometimes throughout its 85-year history, the attraction seemed to be standing on one leg, sometimes on two. With new partnerships, exhibits and plans, The Wonder Gardens is ready to flourish and fly again. In 1936, the Piper family established a roadside animal attraction in Bonita Springs. When the Pipers were ready to sell the property BY DAVID in 2014, a group of RAHAHE:TIH residents formed a WEBB nonprofit to save the Guest Columnist prime downtown 3-acre property from potential commercial development. Recognizing the importance of the cultural icon to the community, the City of Bonita Springs eventually purchased the property and a public-private partnership was established to manage the operations of the zoological park and gardens. Since I arrived in September 2020, we have focused on beautification of the 85-year-old site, while improving the guest experience, operations and animal care. The gardens were closed during the pandemic for six months before reopening in October 2020, yet we welcomed 80,000 guests in 2020, exceeding all records, even though many exhibits and facilities were aged and outdated. Since then, we have added new exhibits, enhanced and updated existing exhibits and facilities. In preparation for professional accreditation, which will ensure quality, provide access to funding and species survival programs, such as American flamingo breeding program, we have updated business and accounting procedures, safety protocols, staff and volunteer training, and professionalized animal husbandry, feeding and food storage, among other improvements. As an employer in Bonita Springs, we are improving staff professionalization and professional development and creating a supportive work environment with fair wages. Educational programs are at the forefront of improvements, with the goal that every guest leave with a positive conservation ethic for our local and global environment. To do so, we have sought partnerships with Florida Gulf Coast University by offering unique courses and growing an internship program for students to receive college credit and service-learning hours. We are active members of the Bonita Springs Downtown Business Alliance and our local chambers of commerce, and with the visitors we bring to Bonita Springs, we are vital to an estimated $14 million annual economic impact. While our primary goal is the care of more than 300 rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable animals, we are committed to establishing partnerships with businesses to benefit our community for the next 85 years. David Rahahe:tih Webb, president and CEO of Wonder Gardens, is a native Floridian and a citizen of the Tuscarora and Meherrin Indian Tribes. He is passionate about Southwest Florida’s environment and education and previously worked at the Naples Botanical Garden and Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Visit WonderGardens.org.
Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®
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CBIA recognizes excellence at Annual Sand Dollar Gala The Collier Building Industry Association 2021 Sand Dollar Awards Gala “The Wind Beneath Our Wings,” celebrating 31 years of excellence in the construction industry and presented by CBIA’s Sales and Marketing Council (SMC), was held Sept. 25 at The RitzCarlton, Naples. Sixty-two companies were recognized with 2021 Sand Dollar Awards, including: All About Closets, Barron Collier Companies, Big Island Builders, Boutique Interiors, B-Squared Advertising, BUILD LLC, C. R. Smith, Calusa Bay Design, CGU Homes, Clive Daniel Home, Collins DuPont Design Group, Connor & Gaskins Unlimited, Curran Young Construction, D.R. Horton, Diana Hall Design, Discovery Senior Living, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors, EnviroStruct, Floridian Carpentry, G2 Studios, GATES Construction, Harwick Homes, Illuminated Design, Imperial Homes of Naples, J. Lynn Design Group, Kalea Bay, Kellam Group Interiors, Kevin Williams Construction, KGT Remodeling, KnaufKoenig Group, Koastal Design Group, LCDesigns, Lemonade Hype, London
Back row: Amy Wilson, Kim Schiller, Jo Carter, Shelly McCormick. Front row: Wilfredo Emanuel, Lisa Lovetto, Lynne Stambouly, Blanca Vasquez, Cheryl Jost, Erin Otterbeck. Bay Homes, London Bay Renovation, Group, Stevens Construction, Stock Lotus Construction, Mattamy Homes, Custom Homes, Stock Development, McGarvey Custom Homes, Miromar Stock Luxury Homes, Stofft Cooney Development Corp., Norris Furniture Architects, Surety Construction Com& Interiors, PBS Contractors, Peacock pany, Taylor Morrison, The Lutgert and Lewis Architects, Premier Sothe- Companies, The Lykos Group, The by’s International Realty, PulteGroup, Ronto Group, Theory Design, Vogue Renée Gaddis Interiors, Romanza In- Interiors, W Design, Wilfredo Emanuel terior Design, Seagate Development Designs and Wilson Creative Group.
ANNIVERSARIES Freedom Waters Foundation celebrates 15 years In 2021, Freedom Waters Foundation proudly celebrates 15 years of enhancing lives through boating and marine-related activities for people with disabilities, life-threatening illnesses, youth at risk, others with special needs and veterans. Picture a child with cancer smiling for the first time since diagnosis or a
ANNIVERSARIES
Children’s Advocacy Center marks 40 years
The Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL will celebrate 40 years of providing services to children and families on Dec. 4 at the Burroughs Home. “We are looking forward to celebrating the work of our CAC in December and are so grateful for the support of our sponsors to ensure that this celebration is a joyful evening that brings in additional funding for the agency,” said Cole Peacock, CAC Board President. “This agency is critical for our community to assist children who have been victims of abuse and neglect providing a child friendly environment where they can be heard and begin to heal.” The featured keynote speaker is Sasha Neulinger, director of the acclaimed documentary, “Rewind,” his personal story of surviving multi-generational child sex abuse. Additionally, Sheriff Carmine Marceno and Sheriff Mike Scott will serve as the Honorary Event Chairs. Since 1981, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, a United Way partner agency, has worked to improve the lives of children and their families through a coordinated response to child abuse and neglect, offering them a safe and friendly environment in which to heal. All services are provided free of charge. Call (239) 939-2808 or visit www.cac-swfl.org.
veteran with PTSD relaxing and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow veterans and loving civilians. They leave their worries on the dock as they head out on local waters for a few hours of relaxation and sunshine. That’s what happens during Freedom Waters Foundation’s free programs and the kind of experiences the organization
has been providing for 15 years. Freedom Waters Foundation provides more than 3,200 on-the-water experiences annually. As the organization works toward building a national presence, the goal is for even more people to have the opportunity to benefit from boating experiences for many more years to come.
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