Conservancy of Southwest Florida Announces Eagle Award Winners

Nov. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- NAPLES, Fla.  The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has announced the Eagle Award winners for the eighth annual Magic Under the Mangroves fundraiser, which will take place March 8, 2012, returning to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center campus.  The announcement was made on November 10 at the Palm Cottage during the “First Magic of the Season,” the kick-off planning session for the fundraiser.

The Eagle Award is the highest honor presented annually by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, awarded to the individual or group whose work and actions demonstrate their commitment to protecting our natural environment and quality of life in southwest Florida.

The “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign Cabinet members will be the recipients of the 2012 Conservancy Eagle Award. The members of the Cabinet demonstrated exemplary leadership and generosity over an extended period of time. Many of the 14 members served for upwards of seven years from the pre-campaign planning committee to the successful completion of the Campaign in May, 2011.

According to Conservancy of Southwest Florida President Andrew McElwaine, “Their collective efforts resulted in the successful completion of the largest capital campaign for a conservation organization in the State of Florida, and one of the largest capital campaigns ever conducted in Collier County.  Originally aiming for a $25 million goal, the Cabinet engaged philanthropic supporters despite a difficult economic environment and managed to surpass the original goal, ultimately helping to raise $38.8 million to protect our water, land and wildlife.”

Jeannie Smith is chairing the 2012 Magic Under the Mangroves, which helps fund the operating expense for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.  Jeannie Smith expressed her excitement about the event and its supporters. “I am thrilled to be chairing the eighth annual Magic.  More importantly, the support Magic receives from the community, the committee, donors and patrons has elevated Magic to one of the top fundraisers in the area.” Mrs. Smith added, “The funds raised from Magic are critical to supporting the many aspects of the work of the Conservancy, such as policy, education, science and wildlife rehabilitation.”

Over the past seven years, the supporters of Magic Under the Mangroves have raised over $2.6 million to support the Conservancy mission.

Northern Trust is the presenting sponsor of the event.  This year, the fundraiser returns to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center campus. The “land-themed” celebration on March 8 will begin with cocktails, scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. A live auction follows the delectable and sustainable seated dinner, provided by “Windows,” an award-winning “green” caterer. Guests who participate at the Patron Level will also experience the “magic” of the February 12, 2012 Patron Party at the private Keewaydin Club on Keewaydin Island, along with exclusive and convenient Patron Parking at the main Magic event.

Since the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is committed to protecting our paradise, sustainable, “green” practices are a hallmark of Magic Under the Mangroves.  Extra care and effort is taken to utilize materials that are friendly to the environment.  Eco-friendly elements used for this year’s land-themed events include:

•The “First Magic of the Season” invitation was a small, recyclable tin containing seeds for native “Blazing Star” flowers and native grasses that will be planted on the Christopher B. Smith Preserve --- which will provide an excellent food source for the gopher tortoises that roam throughout the preserve.

•The main event invitations are made of recycled paper and contain a “seed paper” imbedded with native “Beach Sunflower seeds.  Guest can then plant the seeds in their own gardens and enjoy the beautiful flowers.

•Special care is taken to minimize the use of paper promotional materials throughout all facets of the Magic gala.  When paper is used for event necessities, we source tree-free, recycled and biodegradable papers.

•Event décor and supplies focus on the use of sustainable fabrics and materials such as bamboo, sisal and native plants.  

•Sustainable hors d’oeuvres and dinner provided by an officially “green” caterer.

•Concentrated efforts are made to utilize locally-sourced food when available.

•Energy efficiency is a key element of the event logistics, sourcing low-energy lighting and placing extra effort on recycling and waste reduction.

As of November 15, 2011, other sponsors of the event include Betty Maclean Travel, Gulfshore Life, NBC-2, Florida Weekly and Comcast.  Information about the Magic Under the Mangroves gala fundraiser is available at www.conservancy.org/magic.

Members of the Magic Under the Mangroves committee include:
Edith Andrew , Kellie Burns, Jennie Cheng, Elaine Cole, Donna Comstock, Charlotte Corddry, Ginger Cornog, Elizabeth Cottingham, Susan Dalton, Carol Dinardo, Kerry Edwards, Carol Farmer, Gloria Ferreri, Cynthia Fiber, Renee Gaddis, Ellin Goetz, Donna Hall, Nancy Hamill, Robin Hamilton, Judith Hushon, Lin Klein, Maureen Lerner, Jinx Liggett, Shelley Lund, Cassie McMillion, Jane Pearsall, Susan Regenstein, Sue Schulte, Lynne Shotwell, Mary S. Smith, Vicky Smith, Roxanne Stagg, Sharon Treiser, Roselyn Travis, Sharon von Arx, Marilyn Waud, Lesley Webster, Arlene Weyl, Nancy White, Pamela Williams, Barbara B. Wilson, and Sheelah Windfeldt.

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Since 1964, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has focused on protecting water, land and wildlife through environmental education, policy, science and wildlife rehabilitation. 1450 Merrihue Dr., Naples, FL , (239) 262.0304, www.conservancy.org.